The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-07
N0N-PARTIsAN TEMPERANCE
Mrs. Foster Tells, in an Interview, How
Prohibition Was Secured in Iowa.
She Strongly DisapprOves Third Party Move
ment. but Favors Organization for the Pur-
pose of Securing Temperance Legislation.

Nrs. j. Ellen Foster. the temperance advo-
cate whose addresses on Sunday and Monday
evenings have been appreciated by the large
number of people who believe that prohibition
of the liquor traffic should be removed from the
influence of politics, is the president of the Iowa
State w. C. T. q. She speaks with enthusiasm
of the good work done by the organization
throughout the country, although she differs
from il on party questions, they concern a
cause for which both making the best ef-
forts. In explaining her position relative to
prohibition. Mrs. Foster said yesterday to q
Journal reporter: 81 have been a total alb
stainer from my eirlhood; my pareats were alb
stainers; my husband and sons are. I began the
public advocacy OF the temperance cause when
the Ohio crusade called so many women to act
i've service. MY husband is a lawyer, and
for many years has fought the
liquor traffic in the courts. When I was ad-
mitted to practice law in Iowa, and desired to
nelp him in the prosecution of liquor sellers.
began TO study prohibition on its legal side
Since then have been hard at WORK to secure it
through constitutional and statutory law. The
history of the movement in Iowa is familiar to
the public. need only say that its present
success is beyond my most sanguine expecta-
tions. The testimony of the Governor. and
Attorney General and other State and county
officers is alphabetically in support of the Law.
Through what party did you secure prohi-
bition in IowaT" she was asked.
1t was not secured through party action
The Republican party has been dominant dur
ing these years. aud has followed closely the
peoples will The agitation and organization
have been non partisan. third party IL Iowa
has never exertsd any perceDIible influence in
politics There were about l.5D0 votes for
the third-party ticket at the last national cleo
ton"
'sHave you YER yourself been ar id vocate Of
party actionq
'.Never il the present signiicanca of the term.
l believe In organization TO secure temperance
legislation, and that temperance men should
vote for the best men and the strongest meas
nres which the sentiment of the peo-
pie will warrant. But to nominate
full ticket without reference to the issues
which might arise between the other parties.
the character of the nominees, simply to pre-
serve party organization, l do not favor. This
believe to be wrong in principle, and disastrous
to the temperance cause and to good govern
ment However, l do not believe those who
voted the third party ticket in 1884. and will
vote il in 1885, desired the success of the Demo
cratic ticket end They are not Demo
cratic symDatnizers-they are sincere temper
ance men, who believe that new party in the
interest OF prohibition must come into power.
They regard the transition period-the tearing
down and building ND period-as disagreeable
and somewhat dangerous, but as necessary to
the new conditions. They are, large numbers
of them, sincere. CONSCIENTIOUS men. Il Is OF
course true that in their ranks are many soured,
tramps, who are camp followers with this army.
This is always true of any political organization;
but to characterize the rank and fila of the Pro-
hibition party the Democratic annex is a
misieading of terms"
s.But does not the third party indirectly
complish what the Democrats could not do
directlyF
Democratic chances of success are very large
" increased by the growth of the third party.
and. as a question of party exDsdiancy, the
Democratic managers of the next npaign could
guDDOrE.
money and their newspapers, the third-party
leaders; but that these leaders are, any conEid-
cradle number of them, in sympathy with the
Democratic party do not believe. and further
believe that. to characterize them as such. and
to assail their positions from that standpoint. is
unjust, and therefore unwise. No one can de-
plore more sincerely than ] do the growth and
the results OF the third party movement. be-
lieve thas theory OF party action TO be wrong,
and positive injury to the temperance cause,
but just sincerely believe that many who
pursue this course actuated by the noblest
sentiments and the most holy purposes: and
while lose no opportunity TO oppose the party,
desire to improve every opportunity to he just
in my treatment OF the question. and TO never
impugn the motives OF those with whom thus
differ"
In reference to her work Mrs Featsr said: az
have just come from my own State. where
have been speaking for two months since my re-
turn from a six months tour abroad. On the con-
tinent wine and beer drinking abOunds. though
The same good work has been done along tenn
perance lines. Great Britain and Ireland
much more advanced. i spent some time there.
Ny visit to Ireland was especially enjoyed. |
heard Mr.. O'Brien in his famous defense, and
met Dillon. Tim Harrington and other leaders,
and found them all to he of the highest
refinement and morality. You know, it is some
times said that the Irish leaders are for the
most part unprncipled men. found this to be
not so. Some of them are total abstainers, and
all of these men advocate personal temperance.
The condition of Ireland / found was sadder
than had thought; its poverty WAS greater and
it's distress more heart breaking. The evidences
everywhere of long continued preju-
dice. religious persecution, aRrarian abuse, po-
litical despotism and Industrial destruction. All
these have been the ugly features of thu policy
of ENGLAND toward Ireland. The English peo-
Pile being aroused. and will. If Gladstone is
spared few years longer, do justice to the Irish
people,"
During her stay here as the guest Of DR.. and
Mrs. Gilbert, who are her old friends, she re-
newed many acquaintance made former
professional visit when she came to defend Mrs.
Brown. On visiting the Woman's ReformAtory
yesterday she saw her former client serving her
lifa-term in that institution. Mrs. Foster
highly praises the Reformatory and its MANAGE
ment. She says Indiana is widely known in
pnilanthropic circles for this notable sample of
reformafory work. She will leave to-day to fill
engagements in FenneylvaDia. New York and
New England, and early in April will attend the
International Council of Women at Washington.