The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-29

REJECT SILVER
The Proposed Plank Is Defeated by a
Large Majority.
GOVERNOR ST. JOHNS SPEECH
In a Voice Betraying Emotion He Elk.
presses Regret That the Convention
DOdged the Important Question.
Full Text OF the Party Platform.

Pittsburg. Pa, May 2S-At the af-
ternoon session the convention pro-
ceeded to the immediate consideration
of the free silver plank proposed by
the broad guage faction, which was dis
cussed with great warmth on each side.
After three hours hot debate, the
free silver plank was defeated by vote
of 3S1 ayes to 421 noes. Two Of the
Iowa delegation announced that they
voted for the plank under instruction
and against their conviction. Five Of
the Michigan delegates under the lead
ership of Professor Dickie. eX-chair
man of the national committee, dis
obeyed instructions of the convention
and voted NO" The chair declared
the free silver resolution lost and af-
ter the cheering and excitement, which
this announcement caused. had quiet
ed down the convention proceeded to
the consideration of other parts of the
platform. against which there was no
strong opposition.
But before much progress had been
made MI. Patton. Of Illinois, upset the
whole course of proceedings, and pre-
cipitated lively debate by opposing
the non -sectarian school resolution, as
being the work of the American Protec-
tive union, and he appealed to the con-
vention not to adopt anything which
would prevent their enlsting all good
citizens to aid them in fighting against
the rum power. He proposed sub
stitute platform which omitted men
ton of every subject (woman suffrag
included). except Prohibition.
Governor st. Joh.l, his voice showing
great emotion. rose and said as the
single plank men had been successful
and had induced the convention to
dodge the greatest question of the day,
the silver question, he was In favor of
| turning over the whole organization to
them, and If they must have the single
plank platform. he was inclined to think
this was as good q. one as could be had.
In a scene of intense confusion the
previous question was ordered by ris-
ing vote. and Mr.. Patton's substitute
was declared adopted, and thus became
the sole platform of the party. Its full
| text is as follows:
THE PLATFORM.
The Prohibition party, In national con-
! vention assembled declares its Arm convic-
! tons that the manufacture, expectation,
Importation and sale, of alcoholic bever-
ages has produced such social, CONNER
cial, industrial, political wrongs, and Is
now ti,rea tenins the perpetuity of all our
social and political institutions that the
| suppression of the same by national par
! ty, organized therefor. Is the greatest
| object TO be accomplished by the voters of
! our country. Is Of such Importance that il,
of right, ought to control the political Ic-
tions OF all our patriotic citizens, until
! urgency Of this cause demands the union
without further delay of all citizens who
desire the prohibition of the liquor traffic;
| therefore, be it
hibition by state and national legislation
| of the manufacture, importation, eXporta-
| tion. Interstate transportation and sale OF
alcoholic beverages.
| That we declare our purpose to organize
and unite all the friends of prohibition into
| our party and in order to accomplish this
| end we deem 1t but right to leave every
| Prohibtionist the freedom Of his convic-
trust our representatives to take such ac,
tion upon other political questions as the
changes occasioned by Prohibition, and
the welfare of the whole people shall de-
mand.
In the midst of the hubbub that fol-
lowed. Mr.. st. John came forward and
changing his recently expressed opin-
ion that Mr.. Pattons single plank plat
| form was the best that could be had
under the circumstances, moved to re-
consider the vote by which it had been
adopted.
A recess was taken at GAS until p.
| iii., tiS oiodu 6uuSS hiSi
diately went into caucus to consider
their further plans.
BROAD GUAGE CAUCUS.
About 800 delegates attended the
broad guage caucus. including sixty
women. Various boiling propositions
were howled down and the decision was
reached to postpone all action until af-
ter final adjournment of the regular
convention.
AS soon as the night session Of the
| convention was called to order the roll
was called for nominations for presi-
dent and vice president of the United
States. Mr.. Tucker, of Maryland, nom-
mated Joshua Levering of that state.
elisha Kent Kane. Of Pennsylvania,
nominated Ex-Governor l.. c. Hughes
of Arizona, former citizen Of Penn
| sylvania. He read a telegram from
Governor Hughes intimating that he
would accept the nomination and would
| stand with the party during the cam
| paign. and that he was a political Pro-
| hibitionist without qualification.
| lowering was nominated by acclama-
tion.
Shortly after the nomination of Lev
| ering about 200 free silver woman
suffragists and POpulists left the hall,
| having secured room elsewhere. Sub
sequently the woman suffrage plank.
| which had been stricken out Of the
platform. was adopted as declaratory