Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1900-06-21

The State Prohibition Convention
which formally ronvensd nt the Opera
House at 10 o'cI1ok IN this cItyJune IA,
was being largely attended, both by
visiting ProhibIiioniats and by the
friends Of the cause In this city.
PRELIMINARY SESSION WEDNESDAY,.
On Wednesday evening q aprelimina-
ry session was held. The crowd
present was q large one and was
little more than held by the Opera
House. The enthusiasm of the
leaders in the meeting permsated the
better impulse OF the audience and all
left with q better and warmer feeling
for the cause Of prohibition. Elder
Simpson Ely, Of Kirksville, called
the session to order and Rev. hay
Bell, Of Gamma, led In prayer.
The Gamma Quartetts sang two
selections which were well enjoyed.
The members ofthe organization are
good musicians and were at their best
Wednesday night. The quartette Is
composed Of Mesefs. VIM. Hass, first
tenor; O. o. Bick, second tenor; J..
r. Rodgers, first bass; o. o. Pinger,
second bass.
Hon. O. e. Stokes, Of this oity, then
introduced Hon. Oliver W. Stewart, of
Chicago, who made the address of the
evening.
Mr.. Stewart Is q man of sound prin-
ciples and his address was one Of the
stringest ever heard In Mexico. He
stated that the saloon question was q
big one and advocated the employ
ment OF strengent methods Of
stamping IL out. He said that the two
great political parties stood for the
licensed saloon and named a. IN OBJ
jective point for the Prohibition party
strength enough to be felt and to re.
ceive recognition by some. party.
Then, the speaker stated, the party
would have some dletatIons in the
platforms.
MIR. Stewards address received
great applause throughout and
showed him 10 be both able In delivery
and strong in conviction.
After song BY the Gamma Quar-
tette, the session closed with tho
benedictton BY ED. Ely, Of Kirksville.
THURSDAY MORNING SESSION,
Hon. O. q. Stokes called the meet
ing to order Thursday at 10 O'Clock
and the audience Joined in singing.
Rev. ]. B. Creighton, of College
MoundN led in prayer In which he In
voked the aid of the Power above In
the work before the convention.
Chairman Stokes, Of the State Gen.
tral Committee, then announced that
the committee had selected Dr. w. b.
Palmere, Of st. Louis, as chairman Of
the temporary organisation. The an
nouncement was received with ap-
plause.
Temporary Secretary o. W. Stokes
bury, of DeKaIb County, was also an
nounced.
Dr.. Palmore, upon taking the stand,
called attention to the fact that he
had been appointed chairman, but
that the chair was lacking. he said,
after thanking the Central Committee
for the unexpected honor, that the
outlook for the party was encouraging.
"This Is an auspicious time In the
history OF our party" said DR.. Pal
more, siand there are many who are
discouraged, but am mott I am en-
couraged. There are more Prohibi-
tionlsts here than l expected. There
is more enthusiasm than ] expected
not only here but throughout the
State; yes, the nation"
MIR. Palmore stated that there waa
but one law-abiding saloon and thai
was the closed saloon. Also that the
army oanteen was 3 blessing in dis
guise--that it was awakening the peo-
pie to the Importance OF the suppress
sion of the liquor traffic In all branch
es. He stated that the last decade ol
blood has had lite marked effect In
proving the iniquity Of liquor dealing
"Kitchener, the English General
said DR.. PaImore, "proved the mad
Visibility of liquor for soldiers. II
his campaign in the Soudan he dis
tributsd certain kinds Of Intoxicating
liquors to certain commands. In hi'
campaign Kitchener found that thos'
troops being given wine or those be-
ling given distilled liquors Of any kind
were stronger than the troops whicl
had nothing but water, but later thel
gave out and the water-fed troop
were strong and healthy"
Dr. Palmore stated that the soldier
on the Spanish feet we're drunk wheI
they met the disaster at American
arms of the coast Of Cubs.
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