The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-09-17
PROHIBITIONISTS
IN CONVENTION
Platform Has Proportional Rep.
IesentatiOn Plank.
RESTRICTION OF IMMIGRATION.
After a Fight the Initiative and Referendum
Plank Was WIthdnxn-Dr. Swallow
Spoke al Close.


continued in convention until n late hour
yesterday afternoon. As result or their
deliberations the following names VIII
represent the party on the official ballot
at the polls, Nov. sth, that is IL the handi-
cap of meeting the requirements OF the |
law as 20 nomination papers is success
fully overcome:
For governor-Henry B. Metcalf OF
pawtucket-
For heraenant governor-Wiihs II. |
White OF Providence.
For secretary of states. Browning
Prsrrffce OF Providence.
For attorney general-Thomas H. Pea-
body of Westerly.
For general treasurer-Smith Quimby OF
warwscx-
For congressmen-Ftrst district. Rev.
George A. Conibear; Second district. Ber-
non E. Helme.
For presidential electors-Rev. ].
Hagadon Wells. South Kingstown;
Charles Fl. T1lley. Providence; Fred t.
Jencks. harrington; w. Il. Brightman,
Tiverton.
The permanent organization OF the con-
vention showed an enrolment of 40 dele
gates empowered to act on all questions
before that body.
ON being made permanent chairman OF
the convention. Bernon r. Helme of South
Kingston addressed the assemblage upon
the rresent status of the PROHIBITION
party, touching upon It's relations with the
other and larger bodies in the field or con-
temporary politics.
In introduction Chairman Helme re-
viewed briefly the usual conditions under
which the convention met this year, deal
ing Of course with the problem OF nomina-
tion papers. referring to the election or
November last the speaker showed where
in the fgures OF the ballot cast at that
time gave to the Prohibition party a
surplus OF s1s votes In excess or the re-
ouired 2 per cent OF the entire vote cast
in the state. Owing TO strange de-
crease In the vote cast for Henry b. Met
calf. the gubernatorial nominee OF last
wear. the present contingency was
brought about.
Mr. Helrne suggested the possible ex-
PLANTATION that about 1000 Prohibitionists
voted for DR. Garvin last November and
the suggestion was silently endorsed by
the convention The speaker next re-
ferred 10 the recent withdrawal from the
Prohibition ranks OF James A. Williams
who left the party 20 espouse the Demo-
cratic cause.
After an extensive consideration of the
case in which an unmstakable tone Of
regret was predominant. and during
which indirect estimate OF the merits and
dement's Of the two big parties was ex-
pressed, the address was concluded and
the business OF The convention resumed.
The committee on resolutions and on
nominations were appointed by the chair
man and proceeded at once TO prepare
their reports. While the convention
awaited their pleasure. Mr.. Tilley OF the
state central committee made n few trite
remarks upon the situation. In which he
dealt with the independent voting for
Governor Garvin on the part OF the Pro-
hibitionfsts last year.
The resolutions committee then pre-
scented its platform 20 be adopted by the
convention. The substance OF the plat
form Is as follows; The primary issue
IS. OF course. prohibition. in which the
plank from the nationai~platform OF the
party has been closely adhered TO. The
attitude OF the party towards the more
purely political issues at stake Is best
expressed in these excerpts from the plat
form:
"The impartial enforcement OF all laws
by the public officials appointed and paid
for the performance Of that duty.
THE submission 10 the people Of the
state OF an amendment &c the constitu-
.tion providing for the initiative and ref
erendum.
IAN equitable system OF proportional
representation in the government OF city.
state and nation.
IAN adequate educational qualification
for The suffrage 20 apply regardless Of
color. creed or sex.
'"rhe extension and Improvement of
the American public school system and
its mansgemert by capable officials, un-
hsmpered by anv sectarian or political
influence.
"The election OF president. vice presi-
dent and United States senator's by d.
rect vote OF the people.
The extension and honest admins
frstion Of the civil service laws.
additional restrictions upon immigra-
tion sufficient 10 prevent any further In
fux 10 our shores OF the ignorant. dis
eased and criminal cfssses OF the old
world.
Arbitration of differences between
capital and labor as wen as between the
nations OF the world.
"The prohibition OF the delivery of al
cohOiic liquors IN prohibition and no.
license communities hy dealers from the
outside under the guise OF Interstate
commerce
such rigid government control of pub
Nc service corporations as shall heat
secure the interests of the peopie. and
government ownership of public utilities
whenever the interests OF the people shall
require u.
"A revision OF our state laws concern.
ing Jurors and juries 80 as 20 secure a
higher average of intelligence IN the jur-
box and more willing service on the PAR
OF those qualified for that oft-times irk
rome duty.
1.-THE conferrinR % the veto power o
the governor Of this state and the re
storation of his former right 20 Appoir
certain state officials.
The platform ends with q pointed an
vfriie appeal 10 the Independent voters o
the state.
The platform was adopted BY the con
vention without amendment. Immediate
" on the passage of the vote. however
lively argument was started on the por
ton OF n dealing with initiative and refer
endum. Rev. J. A. Conibesr and Rev. Nj
Hervey spoke against the adoption OF IN
principle embodied IN the pIatfrom an