The new North-west., 1888-04-27
THE PROHIBITION PARTY.

On Friday Of last week territorial Con-
vention of Prohibitionists from three coun-
ties was held in Helena, which organized as
the Prohibition party of Montana, adopted
platform and nominated Mr.. Davis Wilson,
Of Bozeman, for delegate to Congress. The
following were present at the conventions:
Bozeman Prohibition Club-Davis Will
son, Geo. +. Barnaby, Rev. Il. NJ. Stevenson,
Prof. ". w. Wylie, DR.. Hunter, Geo. Mich.
OILS.
Bozeman 1. o. G. T.-Rev. NJ. J. Hall,
Wm B. Brown, Mrs. Fl. Baker, Miss Sallie
Hunter.
Bozsman W. G. I. U.--Mrs. Davis Will.
son, Mrs. Hall.
Missoula |. O. G.. T.--Rev. E. NJ. Tower,
Mrs. II. v. Wheeler, Prof. NJ. V. Rock.
Gallatin County Prohibition Cub.-Thos
Hill, NJ. H. Sanders, Geo. Anderson, Mrs. N.
J. Hall. Rev. M. L. Streator.
Helena W. G. T. U.-Mrs. Howey, Mrs.
sampson and Miss Hail.
Those without credentials were 4. M.
Stevenson. Bozeman; W. F. Cummins, Hell
ena; Jos. Trudigan, Wickes; S. Irvine, Stone,
Galen Wood, NJ. Bullard, Mrs. Il. Kirken-
dali, Mrs. L. F. Evans, Mrs. D. L. Taylor,
Mrs. NJ. L. Wood, Mrs. A. B. Caytin, Mr..
and Mrs. A. d. Priest, W. B. Van Wart,
Mrs. E. B. Hall, ]. D. Mcintyre, w. NJ.
Britt, A. F. Wade and A. F. Randall.
Following is the platform adopted, as we
| find it printed:
The Prohibition party of Montana, in con-
| vention assembled, acknowledging our re-
sponsibilty to the God of nations, present
to our fellow citizens in this Territory the
following platform:
We maintain that municipal misrule, the
dominance of the vicious classes, the disre-
gard for criminal law and corrupt practices
of current politics are evils inseparable from
the existence of the saloon and the present
competition between the old parties for its
political support; and we affirm that this
fact calls loudly for such reorganization of
political parties as shall sharply divide the
lawless from the law abiding classes in po-
litical action.
We maintain that wherever the old par
ties failed to enforce prohibitory laws Gas in
Rhode Island, where q three fifths vote by
the people declaimed for prohib;tion), as
we'll as their failure to enforce all laws pro-
hibiting gambling, the sale Of intoxicants to
Indians and minors, and the practice of all
| those vices which corrupt the youth and en-
danger the life of the nation, proves no fail
use of these laws, but does prove the failure
Of these parties, and demonstrates the neces-
sity of party the election Of whose candi-
dates shall in no way depend on the saloon
vote.
3. We insist ON the enforcement Of the
compulsory education law, and all laws for
the protection of minors and other dependent
and defenceless cases, and demand the enact
ment of prohlbitory law by the Territorial
legislature.
4. To the maintenance of the above the
Prohibition party of this Territory pledges
itself; and OH all other national questions
declares itself in harmony with the National
Prohibition party. of which it is part.
Finally we call upon all good citizens to
unite with us in enforcing the position of the
United States Supreme Court and the Pro-
hibition party that it is the right and duty of
civil society to protect itself against the raw.
ages of the liquor traffic.
If the surplusage of words were expunged
from the above i, would leave nothing but
the arragnment of the officers for not enforc-
ing laws now in existence and the demand
for prohibition law, which in the form of
local option, claimed by the ahlest temper
ance leaders to be the most practicable, is
now on our statute books. This law was
enacted at the earnest solicitation of the
Prohibition element Of Montana March 10,
speedy method of prohibiting the sale or
giving away of liquors, Except for medici-
nal, scientific or mechanical pnrposes), in
any County in Montana if majority of the
electors so vote. This was all then asked.
It is still in force. We believe it has never
! been submitted in any County in Montana.
Now the immediate enactment of Terri
torial prohibitory law by the Legislature, not
to be submitted to the, people, but which the
people must submit to, is demanded. Are
the temperance people not willing to submit
to the voice of the majority in this as in
| other things? Are our Legislatures to arbi-
trarily enact sumptuary laws when major
ity of their constituents are opposed thereto?
If not, why not submit the question to
vote of the people under the local option
law now existing, and which can be done by
petition Of one-third the voters. 1t seems
to us the Montana Prohibitionsts are un.
reasonable in the face of facts, even if it
were conceded that sumptuary laws were
proper, and that right living aud pure morals
aRd pretty soon religion, aud some particu-
lar religion, should be legislated into the
people-for that is the fair logical sequence
of that line of legislation. They do not at
tempt to carry out the methods they have
sought aud been accorded, nor do they ex-
press any gratitude therefor, or even recog-
nition thereof, but now hoist their hostile
standards for new party and new project.
Having secured local option law from the
Republican and Democratic parties they
ignore it, and abandon all possibility Of Sc
curing other favorable legislation by segre-
eating themselves and making war against
the only powers through whom they could
achieve it. All this looks unwise from
practical standpoint, for We do not believe
Montana will elect Delegate or Legislator
on the Prohibition ticket, or enact prohib-
itory law without submitting it to the peo-
pie. The Prohibitionists may think they
are right; but even if that principle were
correct it Is but one Of the many principles
political parties contend for, and they will
not regard with favor those who ride off on
special hobbies to take cold water bath
while general engagement is on that re-
quires every voter in the line of battle.
We do not notice that Deer Lodge County
was represented in this convention. Yet, in
this town of Deer Lodge is Lodge of I. O.
G. T. of $50 members that has done more
real good in the cause of temperance than
any local organization we have ever known
Of, and which effects its purposes by moral
suason and has so far let politics alone. We
have no advice to offer the Prohibition party
of Montana. We do not know what the
Good lemplars of Deer Lodge may do here.
after or contemplate doing. We merely
state facts and circumstances as we are cog
infant of them.
Doubtful Project
P1rTsBURG, Pa, April 23.-The Chroni-
Gle Telegraph to-day claims to have informa-
ton Of bold scheme to control the Repub.
lican Presidential nomination. The plan is
to stampede the convention for Blaine with
the expectation that if be does refuse the
nomination his declinstion will not be receiv-