Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-14
PROHIBS HAVE A FIGHT
1tate Convention at Lincoln Warmed by a
Debate Over Silver.
rwo FACTIONS COME TOGETHER
Question Comes Up I'm n squnbbic
over the Admission OF Certain
Delegates to the
Meeting.

LINCOLN. Feb. 1s-(special.)--T pro-
hibltion state convention was called TO order
at o'clock p. m. today at Red Ribbon hall
and free silver fight was Immediately pre-
cipitated. II arose over the amendment OF
Delegate Wolfenbarger to the report OF the
committee on credentials. The amendment
was to the effect that no delegate present
should be allowed to cast more than five
votes There were counties having an ac-
credited representation OF twenty-three votes,
like Douglas. and twenty-five, like Lancaster.
There were other counties in the extreme
northwestern portion Of the state entitled
to but one vote and represented by but one
delegate. At the last state convention. in
July, 1895, Delegate Wolfenbarger attempted
to get free silver plank into the platform
and alleged after its defeat that Delegate
Woody of Omaha defeated the plank by
casting the entire vote Of the Douglas county
delegation after another delegate, Mr.. Dale
had gone home Ii was in the furtherance
of the free silver idea that Delegate Wolfen-
barger now strove to fix things at the kick
Off.
Previous to the convention the state cen
trail committee met and adopted set OF
rules to govern proceedings and Secretary
Bittenbender reported a surplus OF " cents
in the treasury and no unpaid bills. Among
the most prominent members and old wheei
horses OF the party were noticed the follow
ing:
Ex-Mayor Hardy ]. Phipps Roe. Christie
George of Butler; c. Z. Bentley, Rev. e. ii.
Chaplin. d. l.. Pond of Holt. job Hiatt OF
Bennett DR.. e. 7. Cassell Of Hastings A.
Roberts, DR.. T. j. Merryman James kul-
burn. II. e. George, r. A. Hawley, Mrs.
M. A. Floyd M. l.. Trester, j. M. Dilworth.
Elder j. S. Edwards, Rev. II. l.. Hawk OF
Omaha, Rev. G. w. Selby Of Beatrice, George
Exley, j. NJ Doubt, r. l.. Pollock, j. G.
DePutron and Mrs M. l. Perky.
CALLED TO ORDER.
Chairman c. Il. Bentley called the con-
vention to order Divine blessing was In
voked by Rev. r. l.. Hawk Of Omaha. In
a brief speech the chairman welcomed the
delegates, and Secretary Bittenbender read
the call. 1t was for the purpose OF selecting
twenty-one delegates and twenty-one alter
mates to the national prohibition convention
and two members Of the national committee.
DR.. Il. It. Cassell of Hastings was chosen
temporary chairman. A. G. Wolfenbarger
then suggested a COMMITTEES on permanent
organization, and, in apparent connict with
this Secretary Bittenbender moved the ap-
pointment of FIVE members as a committee
on credentials. Mr.. Wolfenbarger's motion,
however, prevailed and Colonel H. e. George
moved a committee be appointed to re-
port before the committee on permanent or
ganization was appointed. Wolfenbarger
moved to table this motion, but was showed
under. The committee on credentials ap-
pointed comprised III. c. Bittenbender, II. w.
Hardy and Mr.. Armstrong The following
letter was read from John p st. John;
oLATHE. Feb. S-My Dear Brother tn er
chairman has written S you aboIt Ss Ssr a so
through together, picking up more at st.
Louis and Indiana delegation at Indian,
apolis? We should go to. Pittsburg IN full;
force or not at all: Hope Nebraska viii send
forth n ringing. broad-gauge resolution on
:. .'hea i'ln INST Join p. ST. JOHN.
- The committee on credentials reported
delegates In attendance from the following
Z Fillmore, Furnas. Gage. Holt, johnson, Lam
caster. Merrick Phelps, Platte, Pawnee,
Polk. Red Willow, Richardson and Sarpy.
The following committee on permanent or
ganization was announced: A. G. Wolfen-
barger, G. w. Woody, Mrs. Belle Bigelow,
w. o. Norvile, H. E. George.
SILVER WINS A VICTORY.
Mr.. Wolfenbargers amendment prevailed
by a vote Of 80 to II and it was admitted that
the free silver cause had gained first blood.
This presages free silver plank in the
platform tomorrow.
The First congressional district selected
for delegates to the Pittsburg convention,
on MAY 27, Lem ]. Smith OF Lincoln and
Thomas Mccullough of Nebraska City. AL
ternates, Mrs. S. X. Daily, University Place,
and Mrs 2. A. Williams Lincoln. The
delegates from the other districts will be
named tomorrow. The convention adjourned
until a. m. tomorrow.
This evening the delegates assembled in
the hall and listened to an address by John
Lloyd Thomas, editor of the Constitution OF
f, New York.