The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-30
A Vigorous Contest for the Pro-
hibitiOn Nominations.
THE CONVENTION ORGANIZED.
Platform Not Likely to Bid for Favors
From Other Reform Parties.
Gresham Could Get tho Peoples Nom
ination-As 1t Is Mine-Owner Stewart
IL the Favorite, Weaver . Strong
Second.

SINCINNATI, June ZJ-lQe ueieg0Ie9 10 the
Prohibition national convention put in hard
days work, ending late tonight after three ses-
siOns. Permanent organization has been Ell
fected. with Eli Ritter, of Indiana, as presiding
officer, with Samuel Small tbs Georgia evange!.
ist, secretary, and tomorrow the convention
will pass upon the platform and nominate can
didates. In general way tonight Bldweli, of
California, seems to have the lead for the plesi-
dental nomination, while DemOrest, of New
York. is hardly as prominent as yesterday.
Judge Mccullough, of Illinois, gained a great
deal of ground during ths day. The proceedings
before the platform committee show that
there ia decided feeling in favor of the Pro-
hibitionists taking strong and advanced ground
on various public questions other than prohibi-
ton.
The big Music hall was gay with bunting,
plants, flowers, temperance inscriptions and
portraits OF Washington, Lincoln, Neal Dow
and Frances Willard, when the sixth national
convention of the Prohibition party was called
TO order by Chairman Dickie, of the national
committee, this morning. The proceedings
opened with the hymn "America'' on the organ,
the audience rising and joining in the singing.
At its conclusion DR.. j. G. Evans, of Bedouin
college, Illinois, offered prayer.
Rev. DR.. NJ. c. Lockwood, of Cincinnati, well
coined the delegates on behalf OF the city and
state, saying among other things that the organ
lied labor OF the country is beginning to appre-
ciate the fact that labor and saloon problems
are inseparable, and that labor could never rise
while the saloon fourished. Professor Dickie
responded on behalf of the delegates. He said
the Prohibitionists knew precisely what they
were here for and exactly where they were
going, and there was no danger that any OBJ
stacle would divert them from their relentless
purpose. "We are here" he aided, $50 put can
didates in nomination and keep them in the
field until the polls close next November" This
allusion to no fusion with the Peoples party
was loudly applsuded. The speaker further
said the delegates were here to make an un-
equivocal platform, and closed by naming ex-
Governor ST. John as temporary chairman. Wild
cheering and waving OF flags and handkerchiefs
greeted the mention of the famous Kansas man,
and the applause was renewed as he stepped on
the platform and assumed the gavel Governor
st. John thanked the convention for the honor
of being chosen to preside over the greatest and
grandest convention in sobriety, moral force
and brain power ever convened ON American
soil" and continued:
1t represents party that dares to do right be-
cause it Is right; condemns wrong because there
ls wrong. 1t stands for peace, prosperity and
happiness to every home aud death to every
loon in the land. 1t demands for women equal
free ballot for white men in Pennsylvania
Massachusetts, and Iowa as for the black men in
Mississippi. Louisiana and South Carolina; that
the North, South, East and West. and black,
shall have protection for life and prop
erty. 1t demands that the expenses of
instead OF the necessities of the people We
claim that any system which imposes high
tariff on the food, fuel and clothing of the poor
and lets the diamonds of the rich come in free
legaizes robbery under the gu;se OF protection,
and ought to be forever abolished. II demands
that all money should be issued by the govern
ment; that every dollar, whether gold, silver or
paper. shall stand upon an equality before the
law for all purposes, and that the coinage of
both metals be free.
The speaker continued, urging government
ownership of railways and teegraphs, the cleo
ton of president, vice president and secretaries
of the United States by a direct vote. the ex-
tension of the presidential term to six years
with no successive term, the suppression OF
monopolies, and continued:
Legaized liquor traffic for beverage purposes
is the greatest monopoly that ever existed. 1t
destroys 10000 lives and costs 81 so. 100000
annually; sends misery. poverty. crime and
heartache broadcast among the people. 1t is
the product of Democratic and Republican rule;
a damning blot upon civilization; a sir against
God and ought to be made crime against
humanity and driven from the face of the earth.
The Prohibition party is the only party that
dares fight this mightiest curse of the world.
Here we are and here we come to stay. From
this hour let mo fusion. no deals, no com
promises be our motto Let our platform be
SO broad just clear and comprehensive that all
who love God, our home or country can join the
procession now ready to move on to victory.
The speech was frequently interrupted by en-
thusastic applause
A. r. Wolfcn barger, OF Nebraska, was chosen
secretary, and the other officers su ggested by
the national committee were elected. The tenn
porary rules reported by the national committee
provided that only delegates present should
vote. This was objected to, as it would disfran-
chise distant statas, and after a hard fight the
rules were amended 10 allow the delegates pres
ent to cast the full vote OF the state. The roll
OF states was called and the names of members
OF standing committees announced. The
Washington member of the platform committee
is ID. G. Strong; of the national committe. E. B.
sutton, of Seattle, and ID. G. Strong. Samuel
Dickie was reelected chairman of the national
committee.
The platform committee selected Judge James
Black, of Pennsylvania, chairman. sub
committee of five was chosen 10 formulate
platform and refer the same to the full commit
tee for action. Parsons, OF New Jersey. moved
To instruct the subcommittee TO make the plat
form OF lSSS the basis OF the platform of the
committee. Parsons spoke in favor Of standing
by prohibition and leaving other issues alone
The motion was overwhelmingly defeated. The
committee on rules and permanent organiza-
ton. after lively discussion, decided TO recon-
mend that only delegates actually present be
allowed to vote in the convention.
The honors of the permanent organization
were hotly contested. The first ballot for the
eharmauship gave E. Ritter, of indianapolis,
eighteen votes and A. A. stevens. of Pennsyl-
vania. eleven, the remainder scattering. On the
second ballot Ritter received twenty-fo four and
was elected Rev. Samuel small, of Georgia.
was elected permanent secretary.
Soon after O'Clock the convention re-
assembled. After prayer and introduction of
old Prohibition leaders, the committee on perma-
| nent organization reported. The rule giving
the states votes only for the delegates present
! was the signal for fight Rev Samuel Small
| presented minority report. which he earnestly
advocated in a speech David Morgan, OF Min
nesota opposed the minority report The dis
ca.siou la ted nearly an hour. and the minority
| report was finally defeated and the majority re-
| port adopted The convention then adjourned
| until p
Atthe evening session Colonel Ritter OF Indi-
ana, was installed as permanent chairman In
"A speech he attacked the kepu bucan and Demo-
cratic parties for their attitude on the liouor
| question His remark that the old parties were
| keeping up a feud thirty years old and he
| wanted TO shake hands with the South was
| greeted with applause. Colonel Ritter's address
| was received with great favor and suggestions
| of Ritter for president are heard. Mrs Cougar
| addressed the convention on the White Rose
! League A telegram from the Denver Prohibi-
| ton League. asking the adoption of a plank
| fayoriug the free and unlimited coinage of gold
| and silver was read. The convention adjourned
| until tomorrow.
Michigan has decided 20 put John Russell in
nomination for the presidency, ana New YORK
| IS considering the question of naming II. Clay
BascOmbe The opposition to Bidwell hope 20
preven, his nomination on the first ballot and
l leave the way open for anyb body but Bidwell