The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-06-05
SILVER MEN MEET.
First Day of the Prohibition M.
/ tiOnnl Convention 5TljS

First Day of the Prohibition M
tlOnal Convention. 57sk
Pittsbnrg, May a.s.-Uproarious and
caustic in the extreme was the first
days session of the seventh national
Prohibition convention. At least one.
half the time the delegates were in
confusion. and on several occasions
the presiding officer had to call upon
the band to play in order to quiet the
disorder.
1t was fight between the broad gauge
or free silver faction and the single
issue or gold standard delegates from
the East. The fight was precipitated
q few moments after the convention
was called to order, and at both ses-
sions things in general ran riot. The
free silver faction carried the day.
however, and elected e. w. Stewart
of Illinois permanent chairman over
A. "A. Stevens of Pennsylvania, who
was backed by the gold standard del
egates, and the free silver delegates
are in an ecstacy of delight over the
victory.
The convention was held in Music
hall at the exposition building, and
there were over 5000 spectators pres.
ent. 1t was not as large crowd as
the leaders expected. but there We're
enough people to fill the big hall, and
what they lacked in numbers they
made up in enthusiasm. The fight to-
morrow will be. to begin with. over
the platform. Elated with victory, the
free silver crowd is determined to car
nv through 'broad gauge" platform.
while the opposition is quite as de-
tcrmined it shall be q single issue
platform. declaring for prohibition
only. Each faction claims Il majority.
but from the first fight it would seem
that the factions are pretty evenly di-
vidcd.
The Days ProcceetlinSx.
1t was long before 10 O'Clock when
Samuel Dickie. chairman of the ma
tional central committee. stepped upon
the Platform and called the convention
to order. Rev. L. A. Banks, u. d..
Brooklyn. offered prayer.
The call of the convention was then
read, after which III. l.. Castle of this
city made an address welcoming the
delegates to the city.
When Mr. Dickie had finished his
response to the address. he said he
had the honor to introduce the gentle
man by the national committee, A, A.
Stevens of Pennsylvania. When he
had said this Chauncy NJ. Dunn of
California arose and said lie had a
minority report to offer. He would
present the name of r.. ]. Wheeler. and
moved it be substituted for that of
Mr.. Stevens.
He was told to sit down by Mr.,
Dickie, but refused. An uproar fol-
lowed. with cries of ''Sit DOWN. Mir.
Stevens took the chair. Mr.. Dunn re-
FUSED to sit down and appealed from
the decision Of the chair. He was
again told to sit down. and there was
another storm of approval.
Il am asking Mr.. Dickie to rule
upon my appeal yelled Mr.. Dunn.
We won't submit to this gag rule
There were cries from all parts of
the house for Mr.. Dickie to come for
ward and make a ruling OIL the appeal.
He came cut at length, amid Kisses
and howls, and said that there could
be no appeal taken in an unorganized
body. Finally. for harmony's sake,
MI. Wheeler withdrew his name. after
the police had been called to eject I'M
ruly delegates. Mr.. Wheeler was
loudly cheered and there was denun-
clatory cries against what the broad
gaugcrs termed ,:
Outrageous Gag Rule. i
1t was the first clash between the
Tree silver and gold standard delegates
on the convention floor. and the single
issue crowd won. Mr.. Stevens. tho
temporary chairman. finally succeeded
Ill restoring order and then proceeded
TO address the convention. He briefly
reviewed the history OF the Prohibition
party. telling the causes which led up
to its organization. He told of the diff
ferent conventions the party had hell;
and paid eulogistir tribute to each
presidential candidate who in turn had
borne tho standard of the party.
Iii conclusion. he said the Republic.
ans would. at their convention. declare
Tor tariff reform. and the Democrats
for sound money and the Populists for
free silver Each had a dominant is
sue to advocate. The Prohibition par.
ty should never come forward with it's
dominant issue. 1t should have pro-
llibition and none other He waa
loudly aPplauded when he finished.
At this point Mr. Dickie said he had
neglected to name Il temporary secre-
tary III behalf Of the national com.
mittec. The gentleman chosen was A.
Is. Wilson of Illinois. There were no
objections and the chairman directed
the secretary to call the roll by states
Tor the announcement OF committees
and members. after which q recess
was taken.