The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-14
ANTl-sALooN REPUBLICANS.

The conference of Anti-Saloon Republic
cans, which is to meet in Chicago this year,
promises to have an important effect on the
future attitude of the party toward the liquor
traffic. Already movements have begun in
the New England States. The Republicans
of Vermont called attention in their plat
form to the duty which is before the party;
the State committee of Maine will soon meet
in Augusta to select delegates to attend the
Chicago conference; and Monday active Re-
publicans from all parts of Massachusetts
met in fremont Temple, Boston, to consider
the attitude which their party ought to take
Methods of suppressing the liquor traffic
were not discussed but it was agreed with
out hesitation that the grog shops must be
put down, and that it is the duty of the Re-
publican party to accomplish this result.
Hon. r. R. Bishop, who presided outlined
the course which should be pursued This
is what he said of the rum traffic:
With an arrogance and effrontery equal only to
its futillty, this rum power is organizing to in
crease and psrpetgate se IRE 9r p0
wealth at the next election and at succeeding
elections, to hold the club of political menace
to its commands Against such power and such
menace there should be no word but defiance.
line RepuDllcdn party has Deeu divided on IDe
questions of prohibition license and high license.
But upon one thing it is agreed: sincere and
honest purpose to cut down and diminish the
evils OF intemperance to the lowest possible
point.
Gen. John L. Swift was not less in earn
est He said:
We are here to begin movement that shall
break the national silence of the Republican party
upon this subject, silence that has commenced
to dsintegrate this great body of citizens that
have acted together for thirty years for the honor
and for the glory of the Republic. We want
movement that Shall make gulf between us and
any alliance direct and indirect with the polit-
cal power and influence of the saloon IN this
country
The result of the conference was the adop-
ton of these resolutions by a unanimous
vote:
Whereas The liquor dealers of this State have
recently combined with the ayowed purpose OF
controlling legislation in the interest of traffic
which is universally admitted to be fruitful
source of poverty, misery and crime, menace 10
society and an arrogant and corrupting force In
politics, and while we recognize the fact that
there are good temperance men in all parties, we
vet believe that the Republican party is and
cause of temperance. and by its history and ira
ditions is committed to the support of whatever
makes for the moral and material welfare OF the
people; therefore,
Resolved. That in our judgment the Republic
can party should declare itself anew in uncompro-
missing antagonism to the saloon; that such legis,
lation should be enacted as may be best adapted
to restrict the liquor traffic alike in the framing
and enforcing of laws bearing upon this question,
the ends in view should be the protection of the
community from the evils which flow from the sale
of intoxicating liquors.
Resolved. That we urge upon Massachusetts
Republicans the Importance of carrying this ques-
ton into the various caucuses and conventions of
the party, with view to securing the uomjna-
ton of candidates who are in full and sincere SYM
pathy with these principles.
Resolved. That we invite men in all parties
who agree with these views to cooperate with the
Republican party in all practical measures for
carrying them into effect.
Resolved. That the Chair is authorized and in
structed to appoint an Executive committee OF
fifteen members, the duty of which shall be to
present these resolutions to the next Republican
State Convention, and said committee is hereby
instrusted to appoint delegates to represent Mas
sachusetts at the National Conference OF anti
Saloon Republicans, called to meet at Chicago.
Resolved That it is the sense of this conven-
ton that the question of constitutional prohibition
setts to be voted upon by the people at the earli-
est possible day