Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-27
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.,


HARRISBURG, September 26.-The Union
Prohibitory League Convention prosecuted
its business to-day very expeditiously, con-
sidering the difficulties which appeared to
environ most of the delegates. Nearly all
who made speeches while the committees
were preparing work for the convention
freely admitted their inability to suggest
any practical plan to make the league a
factor in promoting the cause of temper
anee.
The convention contained considerable
number of active third party Prohibitionists
who would have been delighted if their can
didate for State Treasurer had received o
direct Endorsement. Other delegates were
just as anxious that no action should be
taken looking like support of any Of the
three candidates in the field. Others again
appeared utterly at sea as to what course
should be pursued in the matter of making
choice from the several aspirantS for State
Treasurer.
PLATFORM EASILY MADE.
The Committee on Resolutions had har-
monious meeting, and the platform was
adopted without a hitch. This the Chair
man, Horace Geiger, of Philadelphia
thought a good omen, but after it had been
read w. II. Brosius, who a few years ago
was a member of the House from Lancaster
county, made an attack on the plank which
required the record of the several candidates
for State Treasurer on the liquor question to
be printed, in order that the members of the
league might arrive at a proper decision as
to whom they should support. Brosius
thought this plank was an indirect delara-
tion in favor of Mr.. Johnston, the third
party candidate for State Treasurer, and
wanted it dropped from the platform, but
the convention did not take kindly to his
suggestion, and even voted down a PROPOSE
tiOu to consider the resolutions seriatim, the
purpose of which was to have a separate
vote on the obj 7ctionable plank.
PROHIBITION ABOVE ALL.
A c. Rankin and B. c. Christy, of ALLIE
gheny, both made speeches in favor of sub
ordinating party affiliations, il necessary,
to the success of prohibition, the latter |
stating that he had never scratched Re- |
publican ticket except once, but that here |
after he would vote Tor men who represented |
the principles of the league, without regard |
to party. The platform was adopted with |
an immaterial alteration, without dissent |
ing voice. After stating that $4,000, 900 |
are paid annually by the people of this State |
Tor Intoxicating liquors, without any return !
of value, the platform says the constitu- |
tional amendment failed for a number of |
reasons, chief of which was thas many |
temperance people believed the existing |
laws gave greater promise of relief-''a delu- |
sion dissipated ten days after the election |
by the astounding decision of the Supreme |
Court of Pennsylvania, which, if final, will |
fasten this bondage upon our
great cities, if not upon the whole Common
wealth."
ONE THING DEMANDED,
The platform demands the earliest possi- |
bic enactment of laws under which the |
voice of the people will be made effective in |
the % counties which voted for prohibition.
and says that while the league does not aim |
to unite its members in any particular |
party, it recognizes the fact that political |
measures are indispensable to the end it |
seeks.
The platform proclaims in favor of the |
election OF such candidates for public Office. |
without respect to party, as will best repre- |
sent the principles of the league, and all its
members are advised to inquire diligently
into the character, record and purposes of |
all candidates for office, and prove their
principles by their votes. The final resoiu-
tlon, which caused several discussions in
the convention, provides for an investiga-
tion into the records OF the three candi dates
for State Treasurer.
Samuel Collins, of Pittsburg, Chairman
of the Committee on Educational Work.
made long report, suggesting plans for the
distribution of prohibition literature, in
cluding lecture bureau.
MONEY THAT'S NEEDED,
After Captain W. w. Wallace. Chair
man of the Finance Committee. announced
that 50, 600 were wanted to defray expenses
OF the league the coming year, 81, 600 were
pledged in 500 subscriptions as follows:
Z. L. Houston, Chester; Wellington E.
Loucks, Horace Geiger, W. W. Wallace,
A. J. Kynett, Philadelphia; Rev. j. M.
Fulton, Allegheny; Elisha Kent Kane. Nc
Is can; Mr.. Welsh for Chester county; John
+. Dravo, for Beaver, and A. W. jackson
Tor Dauphin. While contributions were
being registered many delegates left the
hall, and President Kynett remarked that
collections usually throw coldness on the
proceedings of convention.
The number of delegates in the convention
at no time was over ITO. To-nighta number
Of addresses were made under the ausnices
Of the league in the hall of the House
The following named officers will nrose-
cute the work of the league during the
year: President, A. J. Kynett. PhiIadel-
phia; Vice Presidents, Agib Ricketts, In
zerne; A c. Rankin, Allegheny: Secretary
Wellington E. Loucks, PhiladeIphia. and ,
treasurer w w Wallace Db;io5.1-l:-