The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-07-20
FOR TEMPERANCE PEOPLE.
Read the Views of Mrs. }. Ellen
Foster.
INeIc FORK Tribnne.l

Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, the well-known
temperance orator, arrived here yester-
day from the West to attend meeting
of the Republican National Committee.
She was seen last evening and asked for
her views on the temperance planks of
the Republican platform.
"Planks?" she repeated, al only rec
ognize one. That regarding free whisky,
which has been referred to as a temper
ance plank, was not introduced as a
temperance measure at all. 1t is purely
economic, and AS such is entirely proper
and in accordance with the protective
views of the party. But it has no signif-
icanCe AS representing the views of the
committee or the convention ON the
temperance question. AT the same time
the repeal of the whisky tax is some
thing that has been urged for years by
the best temperance people in the
country"
you consider Mr.. Boutelle's resolu-
ton entirely satisfactory"
Yes, do, most emphatically. 1t
was just what was wanted from a great
Republican National Convention. Had
ii been Temperance convention would
have demanded something more, for /
am ProhibitiOnist, and come from a
Prohibition state, Iowa. But coming, as
j say. from National political conven-
ton, il commends itself to me, possess
ing as it does two important features.
These are: First-That the control of
the liquor traffic is matter of state leg
islation, and not in the domain of con-
gressional action. Second-If it were
the proper subject of National legisla-
ton it would be unwise for a party to
declare in favor of a specific form of
legislation when there is such diver
gence of views as to what that legisla-
ton should be. The prohibitory states
would not be willing to be committed to
to high license, and the party in the
high license states would resent decla-
ration 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 1t was introduced on the
floor of the convention after its friends
had failed TO secure recognition IN the
platform. 1t was bold movement to
ask that convention to reverse its own
action, to suspend its own rules, and
amend It's own work, and that on the
the more conspicuous. There is no mis-
taking the sentiment of the mass of the
voters on this matter"
"What will be the effect on the Prohi-
bition voter"
From letters already received, / be-
lieve the platform satisfies the quiet,
temperance people who
desire to vote the Republican ticket,
but who would no longer affiliate with
the party that remained silent on the
question. Of course moth |
ing would effect the return ola large
majority of regular third-party voters |
They have passed beyond the stage of
argument"
"Then, Mrs. Foster, you are fully sat
sfied with the temperance work done |
At ChIcago?"
"Yes, indeed; the platform and the |
suit me entirely"
Mrs. Foster will return to Iowa to day, |
but will come back to New York in few
weeks and remain here during the cam
paign.
Previous to the Chicago convention
he Republican women of Iowa had or |
yanized few clubs. They were natur- |
Is enthusiastic for the Republican ticket |
IF their state been honored by the con-
Mrs. Foster appeared in their |
interest to confer with the committee as
o the ACCESSIBILITY of more thorough |
md comprehensive organization of Re-
publican women not only in Iowa, but |
the entire country. The OBJ
ect of these Iowa clubs is purely politi-
al, and simply proposes to do work /
similar TO that carried on BY the English
IN support of Mr.. Gladstone and
he government.