The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-29

sNS AAAoO1Aok
largely in the nature Of caucus to shape
as far ~ possible in advance, the proceed
ings of the convention. Attention was
drawn to the coincidence that the latest
and most promising convention of the party
was held in Ohio. the state in which the
first presidential candidate of the prohibi-
tionists WAS named. All sorts of pleasant
auRuries were drawn from this fact, and
the leaders express confidence that this will
be the largest convention ever held and are
making preparations to give the movement
q boom.
Music hall, in which the convention will
bs held. in tho place in which Hancock was
nominated for the presidency. and has a
seating capacity of nearly 5000. The
building is decorated with bunting, flags,
the coats of arms of the various states and
inscriptions suitable to prohibition con-
vention, and few not complimentary to
the leading political parties. One hundred
and fifty delegates are in the town and sew
eral special trains are on the way. Four
teen carloads are expected from the Pacific
coast and the far west. The southern del
egates are scattering; some of the far
southern states will not be represented.
All sorts of ideas are bruited about among
the delegates for presentation to the con-
vention.
The presidential nomination at present
seems to lie between Gen. Bidwell and Mr..
Dsmorsst. The former is the choice of the
leaders, who are putting him forward to
oppose Demorsst. Th, tsncipal point
urged in favor Of the latter seems TO be
that be will subscribe literally to the cam
paiQn. But the leaders want a man who
will take we'll az a speaker and they say
that If Dsmorest 10 nominated it will be
necessary to send him away until the cam
paign is over, 20 that he cannot make
speeches or be intervie we'd.
. A sensation was created in the beer and
music halls over the Rhine last night by
visits from ex-Gov. st. John, of Kansas, his
wife, Rev. NJ. G. Lockwood, Mrs. Helen
Cougar and other prominent prohibition
lists. They saw the actual working of these
places but made no attempt at missionary
Miss Frances E. Willard announces that
she will use every endeavor to have the
convention adopt resolution pledginR the
party to withdraw its presidential can0i-
date if the peoples party convention at
Omaha put upa . man satisfactory to the
national prohibition committee. that COM
sAAes0O w 10 VVUSON "ApA AloCEobAOA0ty
power in the matter. She will also ask to
have the name Of the prohibition party
changed to "home protection party"
Miss Willard's idea. in case Of fusion, is
for the party to maintain its organization
and fight out the campaign on its own lines.
She has little hope Of success, however, as
there is strong opposition to fusion, some
opponents going 10 far as to call her the
prohibition muRwump." Mrs. Cougar
says fusion with tho peoples party would
be a. unwiss as with either of the old par
ties, as it is whisky party as much az the
Others, while their financial policy. even if
they should adopt Prohibition and woman
suffrage. would drive fnanoiers out of the
prohibition ranks.
Gen. Bidwell, in reply to telegram, said
he would not withdraw if nominated, an
less SO instructed by Chairman Dicky. st.
John. DR.. Funk or Miss Willard. This
pisases the anti-fusionists, a. Dlcky and
st. John oppose fusion. Rev. Sam Small is
here urging Walter B. Hill, of Georgia, for
to oppose Tom Watson. the
peoples party man. There are half a
dozen other candidates.