Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-28
PROHIBITION PARTY.
It's National Convention Develops a Good
Deal Of Ill-FtelinS.
nRoAD- AND NARROW GAUGE.
Thus nre Designrfed the Parts's
Two FactionS-Rcsolutio In Favor
Of Keeping Up War on thc KUN
Power.

CONVENTION HALL, PITTsBURG'
PA. May 2I.--The seventh national con-
ycntion Of the Prohibition party was
called to order I'm this city this morn
ing. in the Exposition Han, which has
been reconstructed. jointly. FOR this oc-
caslon and for "saengerfest.' which
is to follow Immediately afterwards.
Right ut the opening Of the formal pro-
cccdings, when Mr.. Dickic, chairman Of
the National Committee. presented the
name OF Alr. a. a. Stevens, Of Tyrone
Pa. as temporary chairman, the rebel
lion Of the free-sllver minority broke
out.
Mr.. Chauncey W. Dunn Of California
rose 10 a point OF order and asked NJ.
Dickle 10 rule upon It. lie offered as
substitute minority report. substituting
the name Of Edward j. Wheeler as tenn
porary chairman. IN place Of that Of Mr..
stevens. The minority document was
signed by Ex-Governor St. John and
others.
MIR. Dickie ruled the motion out OF or
der. and ordered Mr.. Dunn 10 take his
some tine. and scene Of tproar en-
sued. 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 10
drown the noise and allow heated tenn
pers TO cool. when he could be heard.
Mr. Wheeler, OF New York. the gentle
man named I'm the minority report as
temporary chairman, rose and, for the
80 rrff Il
although protesting against what he
called an arbitrary and unjust rule. Then,
at last. Temporary Chairman Stevens
WAS permitted TO deliver his opening ad-
dress.
Tho two factions OF the convention are
STYLED broad gauge" and narrow gauge"
The latter hold that the Prohibition party
should be party Of prohibition. and no
thing else: the former think the party
should declare in favor Of free silver ana
woman suffrage.
CHAIRMAN MARROW GAUGE"
Chairman stevcns's speech was Of the
"narrow-gauge' tone. lie believed that
all political issues have a tendency 10
divide the Prohibitonists, and advised
the convention to bear in mind that
nothing would so crafty the supporters
of the drink traffic as a division IN our
ranks. or a fruiiless controversy In this
convention. Let US stand back TO back.
with our face to the foe remembering
that thus united we stand, CT, divided.
we fan"
The usual committees were appointed.
and at 12.39 the convention took recess
until =. NJ.
elected chairman Of the Committee on
Platform. which IS a victory FOR the
narrow gauge element Of the party.
Mrs Helen ". Cougar was elected chair
man Of the Committee on Permanent Or
ganzation which is a victory on The other
side
when the committee reassembled the
Committee on Credentials reported 80
delegates present. ---..-.-.es
A resolution pledgng the convention
not to abate its relentless war on the
licensed rum power was ordered teie-
graphed to the various religious bodies
now in conference. also to Congress, and
TO Mrs. Frances Willard and Lady Smer-
set, in England.
Mrs Helen Cougar. chairman OF the
Committee on Permanent ORGANIZATION
reported the name Of Oliver Stewart, Of
Illinois. one Of the broad saugers, "a per
manent chairman.
Mr.. Ferguson. Of New York, presented
a minority report on behalf OF the mar
r0W-gduge men, TtcOMNf IlihE the toil-
tinuance OF Mr. \. a. Stevens in the
chair as permanent chairman. \ tange
over a point OF order threw the conven-
tion into a scene Of confusion which
lasted for more than a half hour.
MUCH ILL-FEELING.
Much ill-feeling developed. and Chair
men stevens himself was for a long time
refused a hearing. but when at last he
gained the attention OF the disturbing
elements he said that though he be
lleved he had been put forward as a rep
rosentative Of the element In the conven-
ton which believed in prohibition and
non-dvisive issues and though he be
lievad that on a call OF the states he
would be sustained. he desired TO with
draw his name. This announcement was
received with cheers. and the majority
report Of the committee was then adopted
and Air Stewart was escorted % the
chair Mr.. Stevens retiring with the
thanks Of the convention. Mr. Stewart,
in taking the gavel. said IT was not part
of his duty 10 outline the platform Of
the party. and ne promised fair treat
mCnt TO all.
a motion made by Mrs. Cougar 10 hold
a nass-meeting tonight In lieu OF q husi-
ness session was carried. after cOns.dera-
bic opposition. and al 615 =. Ne. the con-
vention adjourned till tomorrow morn