Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1889-11-15
TO the Constitution, Which was
Voted Down, Amidst the Kisses
of the Opposition.
The Iowa Delegation Withdraws
From the Convention in a
Solid Body.
The Last Of the Four States, Wash
ington, Admitted into the
Union on Monday.
The Iowa Delegation Bolts.


CHICAGO, Nov. 12.-When the session of
the w. G. T. U. convention at Battery D
armory was opened this morning it was
known that storm was coming on. At a
motoin OF Mrs. Aldrich and Mrs. j. Ellen
Foster, the consideration of the proposed
non partisan amendment to the constitu-
ton of the organization was set down for
to-day. The amendment provides that the
objects of the w. G. T. u. shall be 'sto in
terest and unite the Christian women OF
this nation in non-sectarian and non -parti-
san temperance work for the reformation
of intemperance and the education of public
sentiment in behalf of total abstinence and
prohibition Of the traffic in alcoholic liquors,
check the development of socia! evil, sup
preston Of vice and crime and advance the
education of the masses in the duties and
responsibilities of good citizenship" It
was evident from the commencement of
the debate that the feeling of the conven-
tion was overwhelmingly against the pro-
posed amendment. The delegates were
not disposed to listen to the speeches of the
women who favored its adoption and sew
eral times
THERE WAS Kissing
and cries OF ''sit down." In moving an
amendment, Mrs. Aldrich of Iowa said she
wished the convention to accept it because
it was simply right and just and honest;
she said there was no definite statement OF
the objects of the organization in the consti-
tuition of the w. G. T. U. Women occupied
an anomalous position because they de-
clared themselves non partisan and yet
adopted most bitter partisan resolutions.
Women associate in the organization had
political rights but not suffrage, and it was
wrong for the majority to adopt resolu-
tions binding all women to support a GER
tain political party. 1t was just as wrong
for woman to give away her political in-
Henry Of Evanston, Mrs. Wells OF 'rennes-
see, Mrs. 81. M. Barker of South Dakota.
Mrs. Perkins of Ohio, Mrs. Buell., the
national secretary, and others spoke in
opposition to the adoption of the amend
ment as reflection on the previous action
OF the union and declaring the union nom
partisan, being ready to susport any party
which would put the prohibition plank in
its platform. Mrs. j. Ellen Foster spoke.
She said
THE CONVENTION WAS PARTISAN
despite its declaration to the contrary.
The names of honorable men in the repub-
lican party have been dragged in the mud
and the convention platform. 81 repeat,"
she said, ''that the convention is partisan.
Partisan in feeling, partisan in its assaults
on republican statesman" Kisses inter-
rupted the speaker. "Yes, and those misses
are partisan, IT s and they come from delegates
made to indefinitely postpone the discus
sion, which was voted down. The ques-
tiOn was then called on the amendment.
About fifty voices cried for its adoption,
but the great bulk of the delegates shouted
against 1t. Miss Willard, as chairman, de.
clared the amendment lost.
THE Evening SESSION.
At the evening session the committee on
resolutions made a report, touching the
nOn-partisan question. The majority
report says: I'VE believe it is vital to
the temperance reform that the principle
of prohibition be made a dominant issue
in American politics. We therefore give
our approval to that party only which
declares in its platform for prohibition,
state and national, and stands in action
for its application Of the law. The min
ority report was brought in by Miss Matte
NJ. Bailey of Iowa, and read as follows:
"That the recent amendment contest DEM
Onstrates that we need more persistent and
persuasive educational temperance work
among all classes of people, the results of
these several contests having given
us practical proof that success
in the effort for the overthrow
Of legalized liquor traffic can only be as
sured when the intelligent convictions of
the people arein favor of prohibition, and
that defeat is certain where such cOnvic-
tions are lacking. Therefore, resolved
further, that as forty odd departments of
the VIC. 4. u work are for the education
Of the people In America of total abstinence
and prohibition, and as we have in our
membership women whose differing politi-
cal eferences lead them to sympathize
with and support the different pOliti-
cal parties therefore it is unjust
and unwise for this organization to pledge
It's 5inhuen support or allegiance to any
political party; just, because II this or
tim. q q