Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-11-19
CAMPAIGN PRELUDE
PR0HIBITIONISTS MEET AND TALE ABOUT a
CITIZENS TICKET.
Some Think II Would Boom the Prohibition Party
and Some DOn't-Msssrs. Watkins and
Martin The Principal Speakers.

There was re-awakening Of the
members of the Central Prohibition
Club last evening in a meeting at NC
Lains Hall ostensibly for the purpose
of discussing the propriety and advis-
ability Of uniting with the good men IN
the old parties in forming citizens
ticket in the coming municipal election.
But so much time was occupied in dis
cussing technical parliamentary points,
and in the semi-annual election OF oit-
GERS that little time was left to carry
out the purpose for which the meeting
was held. There were twenty-five
persons present. ;. c. Willis was made
chairman of the evening, and
after the meeting was called to order
fully half an hour was occupied In dis
cussing the validity OF that and subse-
auent meetings. Then 1t was discov-
cred that last evening was the time, ac-
cordng to their constitution, for the
regular election of officers, and as near
ly all OF them had to be balloted for, an
other half hour was consumed. The
new officers finally elected were:
President-D. W. Martin.
Vice President-W NJ. Davis.
Secretary-A T.. Watkins.
Treasurer-W NJ. Cunningham.
Executive Committee-Messrs. Taylor,
Cartwright and McElroy.
While the election OF officers was In
progress Rev. c. w. Cushing strolled
into the meeting, soon after Rev. +. n.
Lynch. and little later Editor Taylor,
of tie Quest. Then came the principal
business of the evening, which was dis
cussion Of the following resolutions:
RcsOlred, That the coalition OF the
Prohibitionists with the good men OF
the other parties is detrimental To the
Prohibition party.
The two principal disputants assigned
to wrestlc with this question were a. f.
Watkins and d. w. Martin. They
were to have had one half hour each,
but owing to the latcness OF the hour,
it was voted to allow them only ten
inmates each, the discussion to be col
tinued at special meeting next Tues
day evening, when all the time will be
devoted TO this question. Mr.. Watkins
opened for the affirmative. He began
by saying that he didn't believe
the Prohibitionists could ever
expect anything from any MEM
bers OF the old party. He believed
that the influence Of coalition with
the good men of other parties would be
bad. The result would be we couldn't
elect prohibition man anyway, for the
good men of the other parties wouldn't
vote for him. This matter Of cO-opera-
ton has been tried in several other
States, and had failed. The speaker
believed that it was the duty of Prohi-
bitionists to get the good men out OF
the old parties into their ranks and not
Join any other outside movement.
Mr. Martin then took the floor on the
negative side, and opened up by saying
that the time had come when something
teen years here in Wheeling we have
had 4 corrupt city government. The
governments have been elected by
either Republicans or Democrats, but
at all events il has been large
ly through the wire pulling of
the saloon element. Look at the
condition OF things here on the Sabbath,
look at the young girls between Il and
Ii years of age that nightly romp the
streets, and look at the general iniquity
that prevails. / don't think Mr.. Sea-
bright or Mr.. Delbrugge are so much to
blame. They perhaps would do more,
but they haven't got the backing. The
party won't let them do it. / believe
if we join with the men of the other
parties who are opposed to the present
condition Of things we will accomplish
much good.
Rev. F. n. Lynch spoke in favor of
cooperation with the other parties in a
citizens movement, and said he would |
heartily join any movement or party |
that adopted rs its platform first, last
and always, down with the saloon"
II. j. Cartwright arose and said he