The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-17
PROHIBITION CONVENTION
THE ANTI-SALO0N REPUBLICANS
MEET AT CHICAGO.
Resolutions Adopted FayOriDg The
Mot Stringent LaWs-Seyeral
Vigorous Speeches.

CHICAGO, ILL, September 16.-Thf
first national convention of the ant
liquor Republicans began its session
in this city thia afternoon. The con-
vention was held in the Madison
Street Thealer. When the convention
was called to order there were about
300 delegates on the floor, with only g
sprinkling of III 'sideTs. A few ladies
and gentlemen were in the gallery.
The convention was called to order
by Mr.. Albert Griffin, of Kansas, who
asked the Rev. Arthur Little, of Chi
cago, to open the proceedings with
prayer.
Mr.. Griffin then said he was lie
ouested to suggest the name OF Unite d
States Senator Henry W. B,air, o. New
Hampshire, for temporary chairman
J. {. Snafef, of Illinois, temporary sec
rotary; L. R. Elliott, of Kansas, as
sistant secretary, and E. r. Hutchin-
son, of Des Moines, Ia, reading clerk.
The gentlemen suggested were elect d
unanimously.
Ex-Congressman Frost OF Ma'sachu-
eetts, ex-Copgressman Price OF Iowa,
and Judge Saylor of Indiana, were ap-
pointed ID escort Senator Blair TO the
Platform. In addressing the conven-
ton, Senator B'air said:
GENTLEMEN CT THE CoNvENTIoN-l
feel highly honored in being asked TO
preside over this great and historic
convention, which | firmly believe
will live in the annals of all time. We
are here for G1e destruction Of the Ium
tariff throughout this country and
throughout the world. l think | speak
the sentiment OF the convention when
l ssy that as between freq rum and
low license, we are in favor of high
license. 1Cheers. That as between
high license and prob bition, we are
in favor of prohibition. [Grest
cheers Mr.. Blair weut on t. cay that
they also met as Republicans. They
were in that party and could not be
driven out, and he believed that it
was through the Republican party
that the suppression OF the liquor
traffic could be secured.
The call OF the States was then pro-
ceeded with to form Committees on
Permanent Organization, Credentials,
Order OF Business and Resolutions.
The Commute on Resolutions was
composed as follows: Rhode Island,
Henry B. Metcalf; New jersey, John
Y. Foster; Indiana, Thomas B. Rtd.
ding; Illinois, R. e.. jenkins; WiJcon-
sin, james Sutherland; Minneso a,
]. S. Smith; Ksnsas, T. d. Thatcher;
Massachusetts, Rufus s. Frost; Yer
mont, J. G.. Meade; Michigan, Albert
Dodge New York, John l.. Plat.
The Committee ON Credentials re-
ported that 1877 accredited delegates
we're present, as follows: Illinois 40,
Iowa 20, Kansas 80, Indiana Is, Maine
1, Vermont 8, New York 6, Rhode
Island Z, Michigan 8, Wisconsin II,
Massachusetts II, Nevada l, Mime
tota Is, Texas 2, Dakota l, Pennsyl-
vsnia l, Ohio l, New Jersey 7, New
Hampshire 2.
The Committee on Permanent o.
ganiz alton reported the name of ex-
Senator William Window, of Mime
sofa, for permanent chairman. He
was unanimously elected.
The secretaries pro tenn were elected
as permanent officers. Vice presi-
dents were named, one for each State.
Mr.. Window was loudly cheered as
he was escorted to the chair by Ex-
Senator McDiIl, of Iowa, and Gen.
Conway, OF New York. When the
chairman appeared btfore the conven-
ton he said:
GENTLEMEN OF H Conference
highly appreciate the great honor you
have conferred upon me. There are
possibly other gentlemen present who
could ftata b. ter than / can the pre-
cise purp ses of this C convention. We
are here under the call of true and
loyal Republicans, desiring through
that patty to accomplish what we be-
lieve will ba a great good for the
American people. For myself l never
had the slightest thought CT attempt
ing to organize a rev political party.
| think that such a thought does not
enter the mind of any other delegate
here present. The Tavty that freed
the slave, that digni6ed human l. )r,
that enacted homestead laws, that
suppressed the great rebellion, that
defended its honor ia peace and ad-
vauced it to the front rank of the ma
tions OF the earth, is good enough for
me.
The speaker raid the record of the
party for twenty years showed its will
lingness to Qrapple this new issue aud
carr it TO victory. The iseue was as
grave as any that the Republican party
mad ever had 10 meet in the past. IL
resolved i's:lt 10 the question whether
the saloon was to dominate the politics
of the nation. 1--WE do not meet
to dictate 10 the Republican
party" said the speaker; eve are here
simply for consultation. We meet to
encourage it to take hold cf this ques-
ton, which it surely will have to do,
and the sooner the bett r" The
speaker said he would look at the
question solely from a political staud-
point, and not from the moral stand
point. The saloon was in politics
with its assessments aud money. 1t
was the open ally of anarchy. 1t today
controlled the politics of every large
city. at elects your Mayors" said
the speaker. "In Minnesota the
Democratic party had nominated for
Governor the very incarnation Of the
saloon interest,""
He then spoke for thirty minutes
On the general issue. He touched on
Prohibitionists, end said it was his
view that they could carry out their
purposes in a better way. In'follow-
ing the lead of the Republican patty,
they would find that that party had
said that slavery was abso 'utely abol-
iehed. II the Republican party would
declare for high license, local option
and reccgnizs the right of the people
to vote on the question directly when
they wished to do 50, all lovers of
temperance should follow that lead.
Or the conclusion OF Mr.. WINDOWS
address the convention adjourned to
2 O'Clock.
Afternoon Session.
When the convention reassembled
in the afternoon the Committee on
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