The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-05-19
WASHINGTON DEM AT S
DROP | INTO LINE WITH
SOUTHERN BRETHREN BY
OVERWHELMING VOTE ON
LIQUOR PLANK.

The helplessness of politicians,
liquor men and disbelievers In le-
gal restrictions before the tide Of
temperance sentiment cropping out
everywhere was again demon
strated beyond question last night
in the state democratic convention.
After a fight in which the oppo-
sition had been aided by the per-
sonal approval of Judge Turner,
chairman, the temperance forces in
serted a prohibition declaration in
the state platform reading as fol-
lows:
1--WE favor the submission to the
voters of Washington of a constitu-
tional amendment prohibiting the
manufacture or sale of spirituous
liquors within our borders"
The resolution was endorsed by
a convention vote of $50 for to 1913
against.
In the face Of almost unanimous
anti-saloon sentiment Spokane
again qualified for a first place as
a liquor county of this state by
standing SO to IA in favor of a
minority report embodying the
personal liberty" principal an
nounced by Judge Turner in his
opening address. The Spokane
fight was marked by division, the
young democratic sheep separating
from the goats and making heated
charges that the delegation had
been unfairly polled by Jack
O'Brien and H. D. Merritt, both Of
whom were strongly opposed TO the
prohibition plank. The younger
democrats, who Joined in the revo-
luton led by Thomas Scott and r.
l.. Collins, protested that their alb
sent members were being counted
against prohibition. and nearly ev-
erybody had something to shout but
Keaney. This latter Is the
strangest part of the whole proceed
ings.
The personal liberty amendment
was not signed by the minority
from which 1t came, and the chair
was unable to supply the names on
demand from the floor.
King county voted so to Al
against the prohibition plank. but
Pierce county, as in the republican
convention, was solid temperance.
In this fight the Third and Second
district combination, which had
been swung with deadly precision
against King cOunty's demands for
dominance, was snatcheJ from the
hands of its Spokane organizers
and used Just as effectively to
hammer a prohibition plank into
the platform.
This practically ended the work
of the convention, which had been
battle-ground from IL a. m. until
midnight. The King county dele
cation was simply loaded with the
Seattle spirit of taking everything
that could be pried loose. They
had so many aspirants that they
framed a deal to double the dele
cation. giving each half vote.
That arrangement was designed to
make room for &. G. Heifner,
Judge +. A. Mcdonald, |. F. Cal
houn and Judge Alfred Battle. Heif-
ner was to be national committee
man and the whole bunch were 10
go together or the First district
would ask nothing.
The whole bunch went together,
but they went the wrong way, al
though it took nearly all day. Con-
sidering the number of votes lined
up with Spokane from east of the
mountains this city became the
democratic stronghold of the state
through the efforts of III. d. Mer-
rift, Jack O'Brien, Thomas Maloney
and other old warehouses;, crafty and
guileful in the game--of guarding
the peoples rights.
Having lost out. King county be-
gan TO play the baby act and the
other counties of the First district
sat dumbly for the most part. The
selection OF First district delegates
was finally accomplished by the
balance OF the convention nominal
ing and electing them. Here is the
national delegation list that goes
to Denver
National committeeman, w. IL.
Dunphy, Walla Walla.
Chairman state central commit