Blue-grass blade., 1892-02-20
All of the Reform Parties nj
the Chicago Conference De-
clare for Prohibition and
Woman Suffrage.

tme Cmnc8&0 conference DE.
clare for Prohibition and
Woman Suffrage.
On Wednesday, January 20, il
Chicago. was held a conferenc,
including prominent representa-
tives of the Farmers Alliance
the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union, the Greenback fac
tion, the National Reform party
the Peoples party and the Unior
Labor party. Miss Frances E
Willard presided. In her opening
address she developed the scheme
in hand, which was in effect to
form a union of all the reform
elements of the country. She in.
dicated in plain terms, however
that this meeting was only for con.
sultation, and no one would be
bound by the action taken.
Prof. Dickie said he could moi
speak officially for the Prohibition
party and pledge its fealty to the
new party; but he thought those
present could compare notes and
ascertain how the various reform
ers could get together on a gen.
eral platform.
Mr.. De la Matyr declared that
for these organizations to longer
remain apart and act independ-
emily would be almost criminal.
"Our enemies are united and we
are divided" he said. "In Ohio,
he added, "the sentiment Of the
people is for Prohibition"
Mr.. Taubeneck asserted that
the next platform of the Peoples
party would be shorter than the
one adopted at Cincinnati.
Prof. Miller of Chicago, repre-
sented the National Reform party,
explained the objects it has in
view and advocated a union of all
bodies represented.
Gen. Weaver, of Iowa, spoke at
some length, favoring the plan,
and also for platform containing
prohibition, declarations on land,
money, transportation and woman
suffrage, clasping them all with
the white ribbon.
The Prohibitionists declared
subsequently that "Prohibitionists
can not favor any platform which
does not pronounce against the
saloon"
When the joint conference was
reassembled there was a renewal
of the discussion as to what should
go into the platform.
Following is the address as
finally adopted without dissent:
The undersigned expressing a
concensus of opinion of an in
formal voluntary gathering of
members of the Peoples party, the
Prohibition party and the Nation
al Reform party. held the 9th of
January, 1892, at the Sherman
house, Chicago, ,arrogating to them
selves no right to speak authorita-
lively for any one but themselves
or to dictate the future course Of
platform of any organization, but
perceiving the absolute necessity
which exists that the people rising
up in their primal capacity as citi-
zens and voters should wrest the
government of the State and the
Nation from those who have SO
long misgoverned both, hereby
put forth the following sugges-
tons to the people of the United
States, upon which we ourselves
are substantially agreed. We are
in favor of a consolidation of all
political elements in behalf Of
these issues, to wit:
1. That money should be issued
by the general government, with.
out the Intervention of any private
institutions, in sufficient quantity
to carry on the business of the
country. and such money should
be a full legal tender for all debts
both private and public.
2. That the saloon is the great
enemy of reform in these matters
As the chief foundation of corrup'
tion in our politics we denounce
it's pernicious influence upon oul
country and demand its suppress
sion.
3. All means of public trans
portation and communication
should be controlled by the gov
ernment to obtain for all tn,
people equal and equitable ad
vantages in such services and
the effort to so CONTROL said mean
of transportation and commuDica
ton shall prove impracticable thel
we favor government ownership
of the same.
A. That we are opposed t,
speculation in land and aliel
ownership of the same and we de
mand a reasonable limitation o
the amount of land that may b
owned by a corporation or indi
vidual.