Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-01
DID WELL BY D|DWELL.
California Has a Presidential
Candidate.
General Bidwell Nominated by
the ProhibitiOnists.
DR.. Cranfill Of Texas Nominated for
Vice-President.
The Silver Question Almost Caused a
Split in the Convention-Free
Coinage Expunged from
the Platform.
Bx the Associated Press. ]

By the Associated Press
CINCINNATI, June 30.-The platform
was the cleaver which threatened al
one time to split the organization, but
tonight the National Prohibition party
is united, and to all appearance har.
monious. The platfor n, which caused
the trouble, is broad, radical docu-
ment. The absence of q free and un.
limited coinage plank is noteworthy
however, for the convention refused to
accept the plank of the majority of the
resolutions committee, and struck il
from the platform without replacing il
by any declaration on the silver ques-
ton.
The convention followed the seasons
convention fashion, and made a first
ballot nomination for the presidency.
Gen. John Bidwell, an old California
pioneer, former congressman, and now
wealthy landowner in California, il
the nominee by an unmistakable ma,
iority, receiving 800 votes out of total
of 974; 487 votes being necessary to q
choice. 1t was greeted with deafening
din Of cheers, whistles and cat calls.
AN ABUNDANCE OF COLD WATER.
The friends of cold water got plenty OF
it today. There was terrific downpour
of rain, and the delegates to the national
Prohibition convention struggled be-
draggled into the hall this morning
The platform committee was still in
session when the convention was called
to order.
Reference to the slave auction block
in a speech by Mrs. Cougar last night
led Delegate Gibbs OF Virginia to offer q
resolution soon after the opening OF the
convention this morning, that it is the
sense of the convention that unnecessary
references to the late unpleasantness
should be avoided by speakers. Adopted.
There was call for Miss Willard, and
in response to the urgent demand, she
came forward. Her frat words were a
denial that she favored or - favored
fusien with the Peoples " y or any
other. SIZE 1explsined be Factions a.
the Peoples party convention, on the
ground that she was willing to accept
all the aid possible from the farmers
and workingmen. She closed by pledg-
ing herself and the w. @. 7. q. to stand
by the Prohibition party.
DR.. Abingdon, of Illinois, presented q
plea for funds to carry on the campaign.
Subscriptions of $1,000 each were made
by The Voice (the Prohibition organ)
and w. 7. Warnwell, of New York.
Pennsylvania gave $1,000; Virginia and
Illinois $1,000 each; California and Wis
consin $500 each. Other subscriptions
brought the total up to 100000.
The convention then took a recess till
2 O'Clock.
PLATFORM ADOPTED.
The report of the platform committee
was the first thing at the afternoon
session.
The majority report was taken up sec
tion by section and no serious trouble
occurred until the financial and silver
planks were reached. An effort made
to substitute the minority plank caused
parliamentary tangle which was fur
ther complicated by an amendment
offered by Hartz OF Illinois, having ir
view as substitute for both, declara
tion for free coinage of American pro
duct under certain conditions.
Professor Dickie endeavored to cut of
| debate, but Ex-Governor st. John de
manded that it continue.
The chairman recognized Dickie, bn
on an appeal from the decision of th'
| chair it was reversed by vote of 462 tt
453, and there WAS warm discussion o
the silver question, st. John and Hit o
| California championing free coinage ant
Caddon opposing it. Finally Hartz'
amendment was beaten and the minori
ty report defeated by vote of 337 t,
Plank No. 8, relating to finance, wa
then adopted without division.
A vote by states was then taken OF
| the fourth plank, "We favor free an,
unlimited coinage of silver and gold," i
beirg rejected by vote of 1886 to 296.
After the free-coinage men were
heaten, an effort was made to strike on
UNLIMITED" and adopt resolution TO
"free coinage" but it was ruled out Q
order.
A tariff fight followed, but it too
only a few moments to defeat the mi
nority plank and adopt the majority.
The other planks went through with
out amendment, though meeting wit
opposition.
| Rev. George Woodby, colored dele
gate frem Nebraska, offered as an add
ton to the "mob rule" plank, the fol
lowing: Believing in the purity of tn
ballot and freedom of elections, we de
nounce the two old parties for purchaE
ing votes, fraud and intimidation.
The amendment was defeated.
Consideration of the platform havin
been completed, the minority resolutio
intended as an addition to the platform
inviting into the party all persons wh
are with the Prohibitionists upon th
liquor question as the dominant issue
then came up and precipitated fgh
Mrs. Cougar, St. John and the stron
antI-fusionists opposed it, and it we
defeated.
ALMOST A SPLIT.
When st. John endeavored to put I'll
platform as whole on its passage col
siderable confusion arose, and cries
gag rule" were raised.
Dodge of Michigan was recognize
and offered an amendment to insert ii
words 'gold, silver and paper betwee
the words should and be issued"
~ ho 49, - Al 49,