The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-15
Temporary Chairman Of Nation
al Prohibition Convention
Charges Democrats aud Repub-
licans Are Friendly to Liquor.
FOLLOWING LINCOLN.
Presents Proof That Emancipa-
tiOn Was Opponent to Saloons.
Much Enthusiasm Marks Open
ing of the Session.

Iii VI OOSOiOAs
Columbus, o., July 15.-There was ev-
cry probability before the Prohibition
national convention met today that the
first place on the ticket would be filled
as the result of a free fight among the
delegates. 1t had been the understand
ing among the greater portion of the
delegates that the presidential nomina-
ton would be given to Judge Seaborn
Wright of Georgia. if he would take
the place. Up to this morning, how
ever, no intimation had been received
from Judge Wright to the effect that
he intended to accept the honor. An
hour before the convention opened
Charles r. Jones of Illinois. chairman
of the national committee, declared
that if word was not soon received
from Mr. Wright, announcing that he
intended to take the place the matter
would be left entirely open.
Under these condition Charles Scan
Ion of Pittsburg, Joseph P. Tracy of
Detroit. Fred W. Wheeler of Los An
geles. Daniel r. Sheen of Peoria. AL
fred L. Mannierere of New York and
Joshua lowering Of Baltimore were
most prominently mentioned.
The latter gentleman, who led the
party IN 1886, Is strongly favored Dy
many of the delegates.
The convention was called to order
at 10 o'clock in Memorial hall by Chair
man Jones. The invocation was offer
ed by Rev. e. L. Eaton of Illinois, and
Robert H Patton Of Springfield was
announced as temporary chairman. His
address In part was as follows:
Chairman's Address.
This is the first national convention
in which have assembled whom
had much to cheer US, but our faith in
God and the right. The year 1872 was
not only the year Of the first Prohibi-
ton convention. 1t will be remember
ed in history as the year when the first
national political convention in this
country placed in its platform a plank
intended as a bid for the organized
liquor vote. The Republican party that
year in convention at Philadelphia
adopted in it's 18th plank what is
known as the Raster resolution. This
was the first so-called personal liber-
party and it has never been repudiat-
ed by the party that gave it birth.
This plank was prepared by Herman
Raster of Chicago, Illinois, member OF
the platform committee. This plank
reads as follows:
1.-The Republican party proposes to
respect the rights reserved by the peo-
pie to themselves as carefully as the
powers delegated by them to the state
and federal government. 1t dfsapproves
the resort to unconstitutional laws for
the purpose Of removing evils by inter-
fering with the rights not surrendered
by the people to either the state or ma
tional government.
Mr.. Patton here read a letter written
by Herman Raster to J. NJ Miller OF
Chicago July 10, 1872, in which Mr..
Raster said the plank referred to was
~, ~ dot rrV,if a
with the full and explicit understand
ing that it's purpose was the discoun-
tenancing of all so-called temperance
(prohibitory) and Sunday laws.
Republican Record.
Continuing Mr.. Patton said:
This plank has not only remained
from that time without reputation,
but this year the Republican party has
specifically and unquestionably reaf-
firmed it in the following language of
their national platform:
Upon this platform of principles
and purposes, reaffirmNle our adher-
ence to every Republican doctrine
proclaimed since the birth of the par
ty, we go before the country etc.
GAS soon as / read this, I believed
this was done Intentionally to satisfy
the liquor people who have been salts
fed ever since its adoption. In order
to make sure of that matter 1 wrote
the author of that platform, Wade
Ellis of this city, attorney general
of Ohio and the gentleman who met
in conference President Roosevelt and
Mr.. Taft, and was directed TO prepare
the draft of the platform.
"On June 23 1 received the follow
ing reply to my letter from Mr.. Ellis:
"I have your letter of June %, and
find nothing in the sixteenth plank of
the platform of 1872 which is incon-
sistent with good Republican doctrine.
"'Y ours very truly,
WADE H. ELLIS
"In nv opinion Mr.. Ellis has told
the truth and there is nothing incon-
sistent in this plank with good Repub-
lican doctrine, but if that is true, the
time has come for the antisaloon
voters in the Republican party to
cease ratifying that kind of Republic
can doctrine. Especially Is this true
when we remember the relation Of Mr..
friendliness and cooperation with the
great brewer boss politician of Gin
cinnati, Familiarity known everywhere
as Boss Cox.
No Hope from Bryan.
"a few weeks since the standard
bearer of the Democracy, William J.
Bryan, declared that the prohibition
question would not be referred to
either in the Republican or Demo-
cratic platforms, but while there is no
shadow of reference or endorsement
of prohibition in either of these plat
forms, the Democracy have done ex-
actly as did the Republicans and by
reaffirming have placed themselves
where they have stood ever since 1875,
on the side of the enemies of your
home and mine. The very first words
awe, the representatives of De-
r,ancracy of the United States in ma