New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-12
MRS j. ELLEN FOSTER SATISFIED.
THE TEMPERANCE pLAyxs IN THE RKprBmcAS

THE TEMPERANCE PLAINS IN THE REPUBLICAN,
PLATFORM ALL THAT SHOULD BE DESIRED.
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, the wer-known temperance
orator. arrived here yesterday from the West TO attend
the meeting of the Republican National Committee.
She last evening and asked for her views on
the temperance plsnks OF the Republican platform.
"Planls7' she repeated, az only recognize one
That regarding free whiskey, which has been referred
to as temperance plank. was not introduced as q
temperance measure at all. II Is purely economic,
and as such is entirely proper and in accordance with
the protective views Of the party. But n has sig
nifcance representing the views Of the committee
the Convention the temperance question. At tho
same time the repeal of the whisky tax is something
that has been urged for years by the best Temperance
people Of the country
You consider hr. Boutelle's resolution entirely
saisfactorylr
was wanted from great Republican National Com
vcnton Had II been a temperance convention
would have demanded something more, for am
Prohlbi.ionist and come from a prohibition State,
Iowa. But coming, say, from National political
convention It commends itself to ne, possessing as 10
does two import ant features. These arc, 1rst-that
the control of the liquor traffic is matter of state
hesitation and not in the domain OF Congressional
action Sccond-if 1t were the proper subject OF Ma
tonal legislation II would be unwise for party -
declare in favor Of specific form Of legislation when
there Is such divergence Of views as to what thae
legislation ShOul1 DC. Inc prOnlDtory ctdiee ""u"
not be willing to be committed TO high license, and the
party in the hghlicense States would resent DECLARE
ton in favor Of prohibition.
81 think It expresses In the best form the present
attitude OF the Republican party throughout the Nation
toward the temperance question I am especially
pleased that 10 introduced the floor OF the Cons
venton after its friends had failed to secure rccogn
ton in the platform. 1t was bold movement to ash
that Convention to reverse its own action, TO suspend
It's own rules and amend its own work, and that on
the temperance question, thus making it all tho more
conspicuous. There Is no mist aklng the sentiment Oh
the mass of the Republican voters on this matter"
"What will be the effect on the prohibition voter -
"From letters already received believe the plat
form satisfies the quiet, conservative temperance
people who desire the Republican ticket, but
who would not longer affiliate with the party that
NAMED silent the temperance question. or course
nothing would effect the return OF large majority Of
regular thirdparty voters. These have passed bcyont
the stage OF argument"
"Thcn, Mrs. Foster, you are fully satisncd Win the
temperance work done al Chicago ~ .
"Ye, indeed; the platform and the candidates suie
me entirely" -
Mrs. Foster will return to Iowa today. but will
back TO Newiork in few weeks and remain
here during the campaign.
Previous 10 the Chicago Convention the Republican
were naturally jealous Allison women, but they arc
as enthusiastic for the Republican ticket as they
would have been had the choice of their State been
honOred by the Convention. Mrs. Foster appeared
the advisablity of more thorough and compro-
henSive organization of Republican women not only
In Iowa, but throughout the entire country The
object of these Iowa clubs IS purely political and
simply proposes to do work similar to that carried
on by the English women In support OF Mr. Glad J
stone and the Government