Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-01


ing William r Wardwell the Secretary Of
the National Committee and Treasurer OF
the Standard Oil Company. and other infiu-
ential members The financial and other
economic plauks was extremely distastefus
to them, and the last minority resolution,
making prohibition the only test Of party
fealty, was the principal tie that still bound
them to the party as represented at tnle
convention, much as they disliked to get
out OF the present party. Its defeat, and
that with scant courtesy, bore hard upon
them. Members of the delegation acknowl-
edged that some of their associates were
thinking of leaving the convention.
To most of the delegates the trouble was
unknown, but Chairman Dickie, of the Ma
tional Committee; Colonel Ritter, A A.
Stevens and other leaders, knew Of the
storm within their ranks and were striving
for a method by which to prevent An out
break. The silver matter became lost sight
of, and soon the delegates got an lnkling OF
the division in their ranks
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, saw light
out of the storm, and moved to take the
Prohibition fealty" resolution from the
table and add it to the platform. In an i'm
passioned speech he declared the Prohibi-
tionists were not strong enough to ride
rough-shod over everybody. He spoke not
for himself but for fellow delegates In New
York and Pennsylvania, who could not
conscientiously stand by the platform with
out this plank. In behalf OF the cause and
of victory he urged the adoption Of the reso-
luton.
The Chairman Turns the Tide.
Chairman Dickie took the floor, and using
all his strong personal following endeavored
to bring the convention over to support of
the minority plank. He did not believe
anybody was bound by every plank of the
platform. He cid not want the trouble
that would come from dividing the pro-
hibition forces TN Gods name, in the
name of fairplay and in the name Of the
prohibition vote, let's pass the resolution, :"
he exclaimed. Prot. Dickie's speech pro-
duced a great effect on the convention and
the tide was evidently turning.
1t was supposed that the opposition of
Mrs Cougar, St John and others had Leen
because of tear that it pointed toward
fusion, but it now was evident other forces,
including opposition to a one-idea party,
inspired them.
Mrs. Cougar had all through the evening
been watching this resolution with eyes
flashing fire every time it showed forth,
and now she arose in her chair and shouted
for a hearing. Woman suffrage, 1t was
developed, was the key to her antagonism
to the resolution 1t came, she said, from
the class of Prohibitionists who had been
fighting woman suffrage, and she aimed a
blow by name at William T. Wardwell, the
Treasurer of the Standard Oil Company.
Standard Oil on the Defensive.
1t brought out storm of disapproval, and
O point of order against personal allusions
was sustained. Mrs Cougar demanded an
opportunity to ask Mr.. Wardwell ques-
tion, and that gentleman arose to meet the
interrogation, but chaos was reigning, 80 1t
was by only the delegates becoming worn
out and ceasine yelling to each other to
keep quiet that the question could finally
be put
Mrs Cougar, facing Mr.. Wardwell, lev
e!ed her eve right at him and said: ''There
may be no semblance of personality in the
matter. say there is no man in our ranks
for whom I have greater respect than Mr..
Wardwell, but ask did he make the state
ment this afternoon that, as Treasurer of
the Standard Oil Company, unless we
adopted this dominant issue, single-idea
plank, that he would walk out of this con-
vention and desert the Prohibition party?"
When the uproar occasioned by this state
ment had subsided to some degree Mr.
Wardwell replied that he had the right to
assume that Mrs. Cougar asked the ques-
she would otherwise ask it, but before the
convention, before God and the world he
wanted to deny the statement He had
only one desire in his heart, and that was
the cause Of prohibition.
This declaration was greeted with tre-
mendous enthusiasm and uproarious ap-
plause.
Mr.. wardwell in Dead Earnest.
Continuing. Wardwell said he had left
the old parties because he could not con.
scientiously stay. He did not believe in
the Prohibition tariff plank. Twenty years
ago he was free-trader, but now he was a
protectionlst in a mild manner. He did
not believe in the silver plank. but he was
willing to sacrifice all his feelings if the
convention said to him vote for Prohibition
and that alone.
Mrs. Cougar said the resolution came
from opponents OF woman suffrage. Miss
Willard knew that two years ago he had
said to her he had become convert on that
question He wanted the convention to say
to him as conscientious, God-fearinp r.
he might vote for Prohibition only, 49,
held a Prohibitionist. an
Immense applause and an ovation greeted
Mr.. Wardwell's announcement, the tide
was turned, the convention was with him,
and it was seen that the spirit of harmony
was in the ascendant
The disturbance ended by Balm, of Ken
lucky moving the previous question and the
adoption of the resolution. By q rising
vote it was added to the platform, and as
darkness fell over the hall the star of peace
once again shone on the Prohibition party.
The platform as whole was then adopted.
Prayer Nearly Overlooked.
Anxiety to get to balloting caused the
convention to forget the usual prayer at the
opening of the night session, but pious dele
gates objected strenuously to the omission,
and when the throne of grace had been
invoked the nominating speeches
promptly began.
Ex-Governor John p St John, of Kan
sas, at the request OF the California delega-
tion, was given the floor first to place be-
fore the convention the name of General
John Bidwell, of California Mr.. Bidwell's
name was loudly cheered.
The seconding speeches of Bidwell began
to grow monotonous, nearly every State
having speaker for him. wolfenbarger,
of Nebraska, livened things up. He said
Nebraska wanted President who will not
travel from ocean to ocean with q drunk
ards factory in his train; who will not
serve five kinds of wines at public banquets,
nor allow his name to be used in organs Of
Lac Al COuuSCtlVu VIII ACCOMPLISHMENTS
of brands of whisky; who will not accept
from pampered millionaire 43-gallon bar
rel of Scotch whisky.
Mr.. Wsrdwell, of New York, presented
the name of w. Jennings Demorest. MI.
Logan, of Ohio, named Gideon 7. Stewart,
Of the Buckeye State.
General BidweII Nominated.
Though only three candidates were
named for first place the innumerable |