Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-07-06
NATIONAL PROHIBITION CONVENTION.
CEE'L JOHN BIDWELL, OF CAL,
FOR PRESIDENT.


The National Prohibition Conyen-
ton was opened at Cincinnati last We'd
nesday Ex-Gov. John p. st. John, of
Kansas, Temporary chairman, made a
ringing speech, and when he asked the
further pleasure of the convention the
cry came from many delegates, 1--WE
want st. John for President" The
convention proceeded with the organi-
zation Col. Eli Ritter, of Indiana, was
made permanent chairman and Rev.
Samuel Small, of Georgia, secretary.
The second session of Wednesday
was opened with prayer by Roman
of ST. Paul, Minnesota.
The correspondent of the Bait. Sun
says it was, with one exception, the
only instance Oh record in which a
Roman Catholic clergyman has officiat
ed at national political convention in
the United States. Father Mahoney,
who is one of Archbishop Ireiand's as
sistants, is, it appears, a regularly elect
ed delegate to the convention from Min
nesota, and has been an active prohibi
ZIONIST for fourteen years. He delivered
the prayer at the personal solicitation
of Chairman Dickie, of the national
prohibition committee, and ex-Gov.
John P. st. John, of Kansas, the tenn
porary chairman of the convention.
J. B. Miller, of this State, was a
member of the platform committee, and
W. W. Gibbs and J. w. Newton, of this
city, members of the National Commit
| tee, of which Samuel Dickie was re-
elected Chairman. Each State was en-
titled to two members on the National
Committee.
On assembling Thursday morning,
the Southern question, says the Asso-
ciated Press report, broke out before
the convention had been in session five
minutes, the cause being speech by
Mrs. Cougar late Wednesday night,
which was largely made of a story
about the sale of a negro child at the
slavery auction block, the application
being made from slavery to drink. The
speech caused Indignation on the part
of number of Southerners, and at the
first opportunity Thursday W. w.
Gibbs, of Virginia, was on his feet and
offered the following resolution:
Whereas the prohibition party is
not sectional party but national
party; whereas the issues of the late
war are settled and settled forever:
Therefore
/ Res0lced, That it is the sense of the
convention that speakers who are ac-
corded the honor of addressing the con-
vention be requested to refrain from
unnecessary references to illustrations
that could be considered a reflection
on participants in the late struggle
A delegate raised the point of order,
held by the chairman to be well taken,
that all resolutions should go to the
committee on resolutions, but Mr..
Stevens, of Pennsylvania, moved to
suspend the rules and pass it.
Most of the delegates wanted no
speeches, and shouted, Question, !" but
Mr. Gibbs insisted on speaking, and in
short speech urged that old issues be
left buried and not be continually
brought up. A number of delegates
were on their feet endeavoring to get
recognition, but section of the con-
vention downed them by singing
"Blessed Be the Tie that Binds,n the
whole audience finally rising and join
ing in the hymn.
AS soon as it had ceased, George w.
Balm, of Kentucky, cut short all would
be orators by demanding the previous
question, the resolution being passed
with only few dissenting votes.
In the afternoon session Miss Frances
E. Willard-the "Queen of the Prohi-
bition party" as she was called by
Chairman Ritter, when introducing her
at the request of a number of dele
gates, addressed the convention, oppos
ing fusion and plcdging herself and the
| Woman's Christian Temperance Union
to stand by the Prohibition party.
Subscriptions for the support of the
campaign were then taken up which
amounted to $4,000, $1,000 being from
the State of Virginia.
The Committee on resolutions report
ed. There was a majority and minor
ity report. There was great diversity
of opinion developed, and there was
much excitement in the debate, and
confusion and disorder in the proceed
ings-the chief struggles being on the
Tariff and silver planks. The tariff
plank of the majority report was adopt
ed, but the free coinage silver plank
was defeated and knocked out
Another resolution by the minority,
making prohibition the most promi-
nent issue, gave rise to a heated discus
sion, but was finally adopted.
A split in the convention was threat
ened, with a withdrawal of many infiu
entail members, but was prevented.
| AT the night session the first thing
| in order was nominations for President,
| but a ballot was not reached till after
midnight, when Gen. John Bidwell, of
| California, was nominated on the first
ballot. The candidates placed in nomi-
nation were Gen. John Bidwell, of Cali
| fornia; W. Jennings Demorest, of New
York; and Gideon T. Stewart, of Ohio.
The vote was as follows: Bidwell, 500;
Demorest, 133; Stewart, 49, Bascom, of
New York, 8; necessary to choice, 4S7.
For Vice-President, the following
names were put in nomination.
Dr. j. B. Cranfill, of Texas, was nomi-
mated for Vice-President.
He is editor of the AdUdnce, prohi-
bition and reform paper; also of the
Texas Baptist Standard.
General Singleton offered a resolu-
ton expressing disapproval of certain
hotel in refusing services to colored
men. The resolution was adopted
The convention adjourned sine 0ie