The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-06
THE OPENING SESSION.
Temporary Organization Effected and Sew
eral Addresses Delivered.

Temporary Organization Effected and Sew
eral Addresses Delivered.
The city never before witnessed such an
sembly as gathered in Tomlinson hall Wednes-
day at the opening of the national prohibit
ton convention The building was filed COM
pactly with 5000 people. All morning long
there had been a rush for admission tickets.
The corridors OF the leading hotels had been
thrOnged with visitors in search OF the chair
men of their respective delegations, who had a
certain number of tickets to bestOw upon the
prohibitionists of their respective states. Great
crowds pressed about the entrance TO the hall.
When the doors were finally thrown open there
was a rush up the stairs to the galleries and to
that part of the lower floor not reserved for del
gates. Every seat was quickly taken and peo-
pie were thankful for standing room. The va
rious state delegations came pouring in and the
proceedings began. The delegates and audi
ence went wild and the applause became deaf
ening. No sooner would one wave of applause
subside than the cheering, starting first at one
point and then at another, would unite in q
huge volume of sound that was borne far out
into the city. With the advent of each delega-
ton the scene was repeated and the
thusiasm and applause was redOubled. The
with their delegations but no sooner would
they make their appearance than their name
would be caught up and drowned in the APP
plause that would follow. The appearance of
John p st. John, Neal Dow, Samuel Dickie
and others were signals for the 5000 people to
give vent to their enthusiasm. Ladies arose
and waved their handkerchiefs; the men threw
up their hats and yelled. When the name of
Francis Willard was shouted ont and echoed
the vast audience outdid itself. For several
minutes the demonstration was at its highest.
Delegates stood in their seats, waved their
hands frantically, all the time shouting with
might and main. 1t was an eloquent tribute TO
the brilliant woman.
The whole scene, very imposing in its nature,
was enhanced by the beauty of the hall. Above
the platform and at the sides were suspended
the national cOloTS, enveloping as 1t Were
large banner pendant above the speakers
table, bearing these words:
NO north no south. No secuOnalism in
politics, no sex in citizenship"
AT the rear of the hall, above the entrance,
was fixed the words:
in God we trust
Every motto was closely scanned before the
proceedings began, and now and then APP
proval OF the utterances would be manifested
by Outbursts of applause. The scene was IN
spring TO prohibitionists, and the enthusiasm
that ran rampant from the start was not to be
wondered at.
Prof. Samuel Dickie of Michigan, chairman
of the national committee, called the cOnVen-
ton to order at 1880 O'clock. "Let the con-
vention come TO order at once" said he, 'and
the gentlemen in the asles viii please be seated.
The members of the national committee and
the general officers of the W. {. I. L. were IN
vited 10 take seats on the platform.
Il also desire" said Mr.. Dicllie, "to call to
this platform two men, whose names need only
TO be mentioned to be known-Judge Black
and John Russell. .Applause.l also want to
add to this list the prohibition nominees OF '96,
Green Clay Smith ana Gideon T. Stewart. We
We want also to call TO this platform the nomi-
nees of 1880 Gen. Neal Dow and DIR. ThOmp-
son. We want to add to this already fue-look-
ing quartette our nominees in 1884, John p st.
John TVOcilerous cheering Every delegate
standing.l and the Hon. William Daniel"
Green Clay Smith, Gideon Stewart and VIII
liam Daniel were not present.
The delegates were asked 10 stand and join
The choir in singing "My Country, Ills of
Thee"
said Chairman Dickie, "while we are led in
prayer by the Rev. Sam Small of Georgia" Mr..
Small prayed very feryently.
THE PERMANENT OFFICERS.
Mr.. Chaplin, of Wisconsin, asked for the re-
port of the committee on permanent organlza-
ton and the chair. directed that ii be read. IL
was as follows:
Permanent chairman-John 7. II. John Of Kansas.
Permanent Secretary-Sam Small of Georgia.
Assistant secretaries-J. B. Cranhll of Texas and
Mrs NJ VI. Brown OF Cincinnati.
First vice presdent-Mrs. Frances r. Willard oil
Illinois
Vice presidents were named for each state.
On motion of Judge Poole of New York the
following COMMITTEES was selected TO escort Mr..
St John to the platform: Judge Poole
Samuel Diekie and COL Knowlton of Connec
ticut. A delegate from Georgia insisted that
Miss Willard be added to this committee, but
this was looked upon by many as child's play,
and Mr.. Stevens Of Pennsylvania suggested