The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-02
SINGLE ISSUE.


Mr.. Reed Nominated James A. Williams
and he tried to decline, but before he
finished his remarks some one nominated
Mr.. Larry and one OF the anti-Larry de-
leages nominated the chairman OF the
convention, Mr.. Metcalf. Mr.. Larry OBJ
jected to having his name used In OPP
position to that Of MIR. Metcalf and IL was
suggested that both serve. This wouldn't
do, and Mr.. Smith Quimby, the candidate
for Governor year ago, was nominated
against Mr.. Larry. Ire convention took
a recess then with the understanding
that the selection OF national committee
men should be the special order for this
afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention was called to order at
$3.50 O'Clock and Mr.. Smith and Mr.. M ct
calf were chosen as the delegates to the
national body.
The committee on platform then made
the following report:
THE PLATFoRM:
We, the representatives of the Prohi-
bition party in Rhode Island, In conven-
tion assembled, March 2, 1896, mindful of
our dependence upon the Supreme Being
for wisdom and guidance in oil public as
well as private affairs, do make and pub
lish the following declaration OF princi-
pies:
/. We reafiirm our allegiance TO the
national Prohibition Party and most
heartily endorse the policy of its present
national committee.
2. The existence OF the leealized liquor
traffic by common consent of all other
political parties called ours into being
and 1t shall remain steadfastly loyal to its
God-given mission, whatever may be the
attributes of its individual supporters
upon other public questions before the
people.
good demand the suppression Of the drink
traffic in State and nation, and our party
offers the only reasonable and comprehen-
sive plan for its accomplishment: viz. !:
The united action Of federal
and state governments against the manu-
facture, sale, expectations, importation
and transportation OF all Intoxicating
liquors to be used for beverage purposes.
4. All legitimate m anufacture and sale
we would place under direct control OF
the State or national government.
B. We condemn the license tax dispen-
sary and permit system under and by rea-
son OF which our local statute and nation
al government are deriving immense reve-
nue. from this body, soul and wealth de.
stroying liquor traffic.
8. We demand the strict and honest
enforcement of all laws and condemn
the manner In which the executive depart
ment of our state government has been
protest against the Attorney General of
this State exercising the prerogation
which should be vested in the courts and
demand o. him faithful and impartial
performance of his statutory duties
Z. We denounce the extravaganza Of
ment at once individuals may bankrupt
themselves but they have no right to
plunge the State into insolvency.
3. We would not deny the right OF
suffrage on account OF race, color or sex;
age and intelligence should be the quail
fication.
0. We would guarantee to every man
one day In seven for rest and worship.
10. We would stand by our public
school system, tonceding TO individuals
the right 90 maintain private schools at
their own expense.
IL. We would give to all city and town
governments the right to control, and IL
needs be to own the plants by which
their citizens are furnished with such con-
veniences as water, light and transporta-
tion.
IL. We endorse the emo license move
ment" and pledge solid marty vote in
behalf of "no license. I" Reminding Christ
ian ministers and laymen that ours is the
only political party that stands perpet-
ually like bulwark against the entire Ii
cense system, may we not confidently
look.to them for support in our uncompro-
missing fight in State and nation against
which they fight locally.
The platform was taken up and argued
one section at a time, and Mr.. Larry hit
terly arraigned the trainers of the plat
form and the chairman of the convention
and declared that without q financial
plank the party would fail.
MIR. Williams declared that the platform
was for the dominant issue and that it
ought to be, and that the convention
oh M 4 q w
adopting the free silver ideas of Mr.. Larry.
He called for a vote on the first section
Of the platform endorsing single issue
policy OF the national committee.
DOMINANT" DELEGATES WIN.
Mr.. Durfee moved to amend the first
section by striking out all reference 10
the national committee. The amendment
was lost, and the first article pledging the
convention to the support or the single,
or dominant issue, was adopted.