The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-28
PROHlBITIONISTS IN A ROW.
THEIR NATIONAL CONVENTION
SPLITS OVER SILVER.

one Faction Wants the Party 10
stick 10 the Prohibition Issue En-
cIusIvely-The Broad Gauge EIe-
meat Want a Declaration In Fn-
vor of Free Coinage OF silver and
Woman Suffrage.
Pittshurg. Pa. May 1.-THE seventh
national convention Of the prohibition
party was called to order to-day in this
city in Exposition hail. which had been
recons tructed Jointly for this occasion
and for a sangcrfest. which is to follow.
Right at the opening Of the formal pro-
ceedings, when Mr.. Dickey. the chairman
OF the national committee, presented the
name OF A. a. stevens of Tyrone Pa. as
temporary chairman, the rebellion OF the
free silver minority broke out.
Chauncey W. Dunn OF California rose
TO a point OF order ana asked Mr.. Dickie
10 rule upon 1t. He offered as a substi-
tute a minority report substituting the
name of Edward J. Wheeler as the tempo
rary chairman in place of Mr.. Stevens.
The minority document was signed by ex-
Gov. St. John and others
Mr.. Dickey ruled the motion out Of or
der ana ordered Mr.. Dunn to take his
seat. Mr.. Dunn refused to do so for
some time, and scene Of uproar ensued,
which brought half the convention to
their feet and a squad Of policemen was
called in to preserve the peace The aid
of the band was finally invoked to drown
the noise and allow heated tempers to
cool
When he could be heard. Mr. Wheeler
of New York. the gentleman named in
the minority report, as temporary chair
man, rose and for sake Of harmony with
drew his name, although protesting
against what he called an arbitrary and
unjust rule.
Then. at last, Temporary Chairman
Stevens was permitted TO deliver his open
ing address.
The. two factions Of the convention are
styled "broad-gauge" and narrow
gauge" The latter hold that the pro-
hibition party should be o party of pro-
hibition and nothing else, the former
think the party should declare in favor
or free silver and woman suffrage. Chair
man Stevens speech was of the narrow
gauge tone. He believed that all other po-
htlcal issues have "a tendency to divide the
prohibitionists, and advised the conven-
tlon TO bear in mind that nothing would
so crafty the supporters OF the drink
traffic as a division in our ranks, or a
frultless controversy In this convention.
Let us stand back to back with our
race 10 the Ioe5 remembering tndt tnuS
united we stand, or divided we fall"
The usual committees were appointed,
and at 1880 o'clock the convention took a
recess until O'Clock.
Rev. DR. ]. b. Cranfl of Texas was elect
ed chairman Of the committee on platform,
which Is a victory for the narrow gauge
element Of the party.
Mrs Helen NJ. Cougar was elected chair
man of the committee on permanent or
ganization, which Is victory on the other
side
When the convention reassembled the
committee on credentials reported $40 dele
gates present. A resolution pledgng the
convention not to abate its relentless war
on the licensed rum power was ordered tel
egraphed to religious bodies now In con-
ference, also TO congress, and to Mrs.
Frances Willard and Lady Somerset in
Mrs Helen NJ. Cougar, chairman OF the
committee on permanent organization, re-
ported the name OF oliver W. Stewart of
illinois, one of the broad gaugers, as per-
manent chairman.
Mr.. Ferguson of New York presented a
minority report on behalf of the narrow
gauge men, recommending the continuance
of a. A. Stevens IN the chair as the per-
manent chairman. A tangle over point
Of order threw the convention into a
scene of confusion which lasted for more
than half an hour.
Much Ill feeling developed, and Chair
man Stevens himself, was for long time
refused hearing but when at last he
gained the attention of the disturbing
elements he said that though he believed
he had been put forward as a representa-
tive OF the element In the convention
(which believed IN prohibition and non
divisive issues and those believed that on
call OF the states, he would be sustained,
he desired to withdraw his name. This
announcement was received with cheers
and the majority report Of the committee,
was adopted and Mr.. Stewart was es-
corted to the chair, MIR. Stevens retiring
with the thanks of the convention.
Mr.. Stewart, in taking the gavel. said
1t was not part Of his duty to outline the
NNN "a af taa .drNHV
fair treatment to all.
A motion made by Mrs Cougar to hold
mass meeting tonight In lieu of a bust
ness session, was carried after consider
able opposition, and at 6;15 o'clock the
convention adjourned until tomorrow
morning at 8 O'clock