Backbone. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. ;) 1897-1906, 1902-11-01
A FEAST OF REASON.
Minnesota Prohibitionists Rejoice over
6he Past and Provide for the Future.
Stewart Tells the Story of His Fight.
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NO. II

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Word had gone out from State
Headquarters that the annual State
Prohibition Banquet would be the big
gest and best to date. When Secre-
tary Calderwood looked out at the
weather on the morning of the 18th
inst, he may have regretted having
been so optimistic. Nor did. it clear
up. Yet despite the rain, every seat
at the long tables which filled the
large Sunday-school room of Plymouth
Congregational church, Minneapolis,
was occupied. It was pleasant
sight. Two hundred veterans and
recent converts, men and women, were
present in best bib and tucker and all
we're happy. The speakers were seat
ed at table running at right angles
with the other tables. The South Side
High School orchestra rendered music
during the evening which well de-
served the appreciation which it re-
ceived. The Dorsetts, fashionable ca
terers and Prohibitionists, were at
their best.
After due attention had been paid
to the appetizing food and everybody
had gotten acquainted or renewed his
acquaintance with everybody near
him, the editor of Backbone, who act
ed as Toastmaster, called the great
assembly to order. Rev. Stanley B.
Roberts, being compelled to leave
early, was hustled into service and
right royalty did he improve the two
or three minutes which he occupied.
Rev. Chas. Scanlon, late candidate
for Governor, responded to the toast,
after the Battle" If he was disap-
pointed in the outcome of the cam
paign he succeeded admirably in hid
ing the fact. He expressed his joy
over being able to champion such a
cause and his words and spirit showed
that, hot as his campaign had been,
he had just begun to fight.
National Chairman Stewart has a
strong hold upon Minnesota Prohibi-
tionists, as elsewhere, and received a
warm welcome. He was fresh from
the campaign which resulted in his
election to the Illinois legislature, and
by earnest request, told the story Of
his victory.
| In the Prairie State voter may give
one vote to each Of three legislative can
didates in a given district, or plump"
all three votes to one candidate. This
gave us fighting chance. But this was
only a start. The campaign was thor
oughly organized. Headquarters were
maintained. Tent meetings and street
meetings were held with an automobile,
brass bands, red fire, etc., to advertise
them. Literature was widely scattered.
Every voter in the district, not excepting
saloonkeepers, received four invitations
by mail to vote for the Prohibition candi-
date. Last Of all, the Voters Legisla-
| tive League, a genuinely non-partisan
| organization, endorsed Mr.. Stewards can
didacy. The speakers entire address
| abounded in hints Of great practical value
| and he easily convinced those present of
the importance and feasibility of making
fights to win.
Toward. the close of his address, he
presented the pecuniary needs of the
State Committee, and nearly $4,000
were raised, being assisted in the mat.
ter by Quincy Lee Morrow of Indiana.
Mr.. Morrow, who at this writing is
giving a month to county conferences
in this state. followed with an ad
dress on "The Crime of License" II
was mastery defense Of our posi-
tion.
B. B. Haugan, G. A. Fowble. Mrs
Kate Kercher and Mrs. Frances Meal
followed briefly and the splendid gath
ering ended by all singing heartily Tho
last verse Of America"
II