The morning call., 1892-05-26
CALIFORNIA PROHIBITYOEiSTS.
J0hn P. st. John Is Favored for the
Presidency.

FRESNO, May 25.-The State convention
Of the ProhibitiOnists was called to order
this morning at 10 o'clock by VI. 3. Harris
of Fresno.
Mayor w. Il. Cole made brief address
Of welcome and was followed By S. y.
Marsh, who talked so long that the dele
gates finally became impatient and called
him down.
The response to the address of welcome
was made by State Chairman French Of
San Jose.
At11 o'clock Chairman French called for
nominations for temporary chairman.
y. {. Winchester of Suffer and L. W.
Elliott OF San Joaquin were placed in NOM
ination, but the latter declined to run an
/ Winchester was unanimously chosen. He
thanked the convention for the honor and
gave brief history of the party in this
State.
General BidweH was then called upon and
spoke Of the work of the national PrOhi6-
! ton party and gave a very brief outline of
what California PTohibitionists ought to do.
He said this time is the turning point. He
expressed his appreciation of the honor con-
ferred upon him by putting him forward
for the Presidency of the United States. lie
said he would not shrink from il, but con-
sideled that the most available candidate
4 L
lie did not think it easily understood why
The PTOhibiti0nlStS of the whole country
should seek a nominee on a California
ranch. General Bidwel stated that he had
received letter from ST. John, asking if he
(BidWelD would accept a nomination. He
replied that he would not aecep; the n0mina-
/ ton. The speaker hoped St John would
/ be the nominee, and thought he would ac-
( cept. Having disposed OF the Presidential
question he recommended brief platform,
but an ample one. 1t should contain prin-
clples and not methods. He said railroads
should be free TO the operation Of private
enterprise; the Government should own the
rails aud ties, but not a car The railroad
should be Ike river, free for all. General
BIdWeu said there was a movement in Chi
cage to place him al the head OF the AmeTi-
can party lie thought the same party in
/ dOTsiBg prohibition and woman suffrage,
( could lie brought TO support ST. John.
After the appointment OF various com
mittees. the convention adjourned till .
p. n.
At the afternoon session secretaries were
appointed as follows: $ 3. Scranton Of
Lake County, Z. T. Bow OF San Bernardino
and c. L. Topper of Santa Clara, the two
latter as assistants. The minutes of the
morning session were then read, and sew
eTal speeches were made.
Resolutions soliciting the cooperation at
! the polls of the PRESBYTERIAN Assembly
now IN session in Portland, and the Presby-
terrain Synod at Allegheny, Pa. were passed,
and telegraphed to those bodies Il was
then announced that the convention would
be asked 20 raise 5000 for the campaign
this year.
The announcement created a great deal
OF discussion, which was only stopped by
the following report Of the committee on
permanent organ ization, which was adopted:
President. F. L. purey, president Of the Los
Angeles Farmers Alliance; vice presidents,
Robert Thompson of San Francisco. Garri-
son Turner Of Stanislaus, Mrs. T. NJ. Gray
Of San Francisco, William P. Miller Of
Stockton and Samuel Fowler Of Tulare :;
secretary L. B. Scranton of Lake, with Z.
ii. Howe of Bernardino and c. A. Upper
Of Santa Clara as assistants. The conven-
tion then adjourned till A. N. tomorrow.