The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-25
IN STATE CONVENTION
THE PROHIBITIONIsTS ARE HERE
AND WILL MEET TODAY.
Platform May Contain a Referendum
Plank-SOme of the Candidates Mem
tioned-POpulist Conference.

Leading members of the Prohibition party
in the State began arriving in the city yes
terday to perform the preliminary work of
the state convention, which convenes in
Plymouth Church at o'clock this morning.
English's Hotel is headquarters for the lead
ers of the party and the corridors of the
house were alive with Prohis last night.
The Populists, who are holding a state con-
ference in the city, added to the number Of
politicians about the hotel.
Yesterday afternoon the different district
meetings were held by the Prohibitionists
and the various committees selected, to-
gether with a member from each district
for the central committee. The committee
on resolutions was selected as follows:
John Ratliff, of Marion, chairman; B. F.
Watson, of Indianapolis, secretary; J. B.
Stinespring, of Lafayette; DR.. w. N. Nam
ney Of Evansville; w. H. Meloy, of Scots
burg; A. l.. Grim, of Thorntown; Charles
Eckhart. Of Auburn; r. M. Brotherton, of
Dunkirk; H. S. Bonsib, of Vincennes; Chas.
F. Holler, of South Bend; M. w. Harkins
of Anderson; William Edgerton, of Dun
reith, and Charles l.. Jessup, OF Friends
wood
Last night there was q mass meeting Of
Prohibitionists held at Plymouth Church.
when Charles L. Jessup presided. There
was a large turnout, and one of the features
of the meeting was an address by Rev. A.
W. Stewart, of Illinois. On the platform
was a large portrait of the late Frances
Willard draped in white. Temperance
mottos were conspicuous on the stage Mr..
Stewart made stirring temperance talk,
in which he referred to the economic fea-
lures of the drink traffic and the moral OBJ
legation of the voters of the country to
overthrow the saloon.
After the meeting at Plymouth Church
there was a meeting of the committee on
resolutions, which continued until late.
While the meeting was an open one, it was
not expected that persons of any other po-
litical complexion would intrude. However,
one or two reporters and the editor of
Referendum, the Pcpulist organ of the
state, invaded the meeting. The reporters
were turned out and the Popuist editor,
who, IL seems, was invited there by a friend,
was compelled to withdraw. Some of the
Prohibtionists assert that the Populists are
anxious for fusion, and it was intimated
that the Populist editor was there to take
notes." The committee on resolutions had
a long discussion on the question of intro
ducing the initiative and referendum into
the platform. Some were against the plan
and favored platform full of straight pro-
hibition plankS.
Late last night the committee decided to
recommend that planks on prohibition, refer
endum and woman's suffrage be put in the
platform The committee will meet again
at s o'clock this morning.
State Chairman Crist says the Prohibi-
ton organization is in fine shape all over
the State. He said last night that there was
an organization in all but seven counties.
There was considerable gossip last night
concerning the candidates before the con-
vention to-day Chairman Crist declares
that he is not a candidate for the Office Of
secretary of state, while his friends say
that his name is being prominently mem
toned. The name of Charles L. Jessup and
M. w. Harkins are heard in connection with
this Office. c. w. Boon, OIL Lafayette, is a
formidable candidate for the Office of state
auditor and J. S. Walters is spoken of as
state treasurer. 1t is understood that NJ
w. Harkns will be the temporary chair
man of to-days convention. DR.. Hail. of
Franklin, may be made permanent chair
man If he consents to serve.
At the Seventh district meeting yesterday
]. B. Ham was elected district committee
man. The meeting was converted into a
congressional convention and Bales Camp
bell was nominated to make the race for
Congress In the Seventh district.