Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-06-15


property of the South and produce a |
state of things to which the persecu-
ton of the Jews would be but chtld's
play"
THE PROHIBITION CONVENTION.
The State Convention of the Prohi-
bition party of this State met Oh
the 9TH instant in Lynchburg. The
Lynchburg Neaos of the 9Th gives the
following report
The Prohibitionists of Virginia met
in State convention at the Y NJ. G. A.
hall, in this city, yesterday morning.
SlXty-three delegates were present from
all parts of the State.
Chairman Miller, of the State execu-
tive committee, called the convention
to order. Before proceeding to the
regular order of business he made a
short speech, in which he reviewed the
action of the State legislature at its last
session in ignoring the petition of the
temperance men of the State in regard
to the saloons.
Rev. S. H. Thompson offered a fer
vent prayer
The convention then proceeded to
the selection of a temporary chairman.
W. w. Gibbs, of Staunton, was chosen
by reclamation, and upon taking the
chair made some pertinent remarks
relative to the object of the convention
and the nature of the work before it.
W. B. Wilder. of Portsmouth, was
chosen as temporary secretary.
Z Chairman Dickie, of the national
committee, Colonel r. S. Cheves, of
Kentucky, and DR.. E. w. Kirby, of
Washington, were present, and the con-
ventiOn invited them to seats and
participation in the deliberations of
the body. On motion of Colonel J. r.
Miller, the Representatives of the press
were also accorded a welcome.
Colonel Cheves was invited to address
the convention, and made a brief
speech. He spoke in strong terms of
censure of the old parties and the
methods employed by them. He said
when he first came into this State on a
lecturing tour the press laughed at him
and ridiculed him; after he had been
here while they stopped laughing and
commenced "cussing," and then resort
ed to Lies"
Colonel Dickie also made brief ad-
dress regarding the prohibition, situa-
ton. There were several cOlored men
on the floor; two of them were invited
to speak, and did so.
Committees were appointed on Gre
dentials, permanent organization, and
resolutions. The committee on prema-
nent organization submitted report.
1t recommended w. w. Gibbs as per-
manent chairman, and W.. b. Wilder
permanent secretary, and they were
chosen without dissenting vote. At
1920 the convention took recess until
$50 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At 2:30 the convention reassembled.
Prayer was offered by J. w. Newton.
The committee on resolutions then sub
lnitted the following platform, which
was adopted, each clause being discuss
ed separately.
THE PLATFORM.
The Prohibitionists of Virginia in
convention ass embed, acknowledging
OF the nations, hereby declare.
First-That the Prohibition party of
Virginia has no utilization with the
Democratic and Republican parties,
but is distinct political organization,
in harmony with the national Prohibi-
ton party.
Second-That the manufacture and
traffic in Intoxicating liquors for bever-
age use, is great public wrong; per-
nicious in all it's bearings, inimical to
the interest of honest trade, repugnant
| to the moral sense, the chief corruption
of political action; injurious to the
peace and order of society, hurtful to
the home, disgrace to our civilization,
and so antagonistic to all that is pre-
cious in life, that the only proper at
| titude towards it is that of relentless
hostility, and that it should be declared
a public nuisance and suppressed by
law.
Third-That license laws are the
liquor traffic's strongest bulwark of de-
Tense. The Democratic and Republi-
can parties, by supporting the license
and tax policy are in partnership with
this wrong, are responsible for it, and
give no hope of redress from the evils
resulting therefrOm. We will accept
no compromise, but demand the com
plete abolition of these laws.
Fourth-That we denounce, as a pros
titution of the powers of government,
the action of the national administra-
ton in attempting through the depart
ment of State to foster American brew
cries by extending the business of
drunkard making into our sister re-
publics of South America.
Fifth-We believe that the present
tariff system unjustly discriminates in
the interest of capital against labor,
and we favor its modification in the di-
rection of such reduction as shall give
us free raw material and reduce the
cost of food and other necessaries of
life.
ixth-That we favor railroad COM
mission with powers to regulate rates
SO as to prevent unjust discrimination
against the farming and other interests
of the State.
Seventh-Without declaring for or
against the subject of woman suffrage,
we believe it should be left to tn e States
for settlement.
Eighth-That speculation in mar
gins, the cornering of grain and other
products, and the formation of trusts
and combinations for the arbitrary ad-
vancement of prices should be prohibit
ed.
Ninth-That the circulating medium
of the country may rightly consist of
gold, silver and paper, every dollar of
which should be equal in value, and
should be sufficient in quantity to meet
the demands of business.
Tenth-We favor the adoption of the
Australian ballot system in Virginia.
Eleventh Believing that good gov
eminent is enhanced by education, we
declare in favor of a more efficient and
liberal free school system, which will
extend the term in agricultural districts
to at least eight months.
Twelfth-Because the Democratic
party, with an overwhelming majority
in both houses of the legislature, re-
fused even consideration of the reason
able request of the temperance people
of the State for legislation curtailing
the liquor traffic, ever ready to pass
private bills and enact laws for the pro-
lection of terrapins, Opossums and
hares, they refuse to consider laws look
ing to the protection of our homes and
children, but studiously leave this enc
my of the church unrestrained to prey
upon our homes and retard the
moral, intellectual aud material prog