Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-07-08
A GREAT CONVENTION.

tUdH J,OOU uCiCSdtSo "SiS S"o"~~ ~ -
opening session, with hundreds more
coming in by every train. A throng oil
5000 were present at the meeting on the
Million Dollar Pier Tuesday night, and
the enthusiasm was simply unbounded
Delegates are present from every section
of the United States, and the battle cry is
national prohibition by 1920"
National Superintendent Purley A. ba-
ker made his biennial report Tuesday
night, and cheers greeted his confident
prediction OF ultimate victory, his state
ment OF the steady march of prohibition
in the nation, and ofthe admission OF pine
States TO the dry column within the past
year. DR.. Baker said:
"The last eighteen months has broken
the record for prohibition progress, not
only in the United States, but throughout
the world. In this country hundreds OF
towns, townships and counties have aool-
ished the saloon and nine entire States
have joined an equal number in the last
ten months in the march toward saloon
less nation. Three more, South Carolina,
South Dakota and Ohio, are Juggling at
their leashes with hope and a goodly
prospect OF reaching the new elnancipa-
lion before the snow flies.
mot few OF our political friends VINO
are seeking offices, or desire to retain those
they already have, with much anxiety,
tell us that this question must not become
entangled in the next presidential cam
paisn. Their reason is that if this ques-
lion once gets into the campaign 1t Will
absorb everything and nothing else will
receive consideration. This is but con-
fession that this issue is paramount IN the
thought OF the people.
1.-The prohibition question is one thal
cannot longer be kept on the waiting list.
If if must enter the political and party
mansion house unbidden, il cannot be
held responsible for upsetting the turni-
ture and disarranging the political brio.
brac. The way, however, 10 keep Inns
question from being an issue, and the
all-abSorblng issue, in the next congress
sional and presidential campaign is tor
the political leaders of both parties to get
busy and see to il that the resolution is
submitted by the next Congress before
the political conventions are called.
eve are not asking any political party
or candidate to declare for national pro-
hlbition. We do ask that the question
be referred to the States for their approval
or disapproval. The members OF Con-
gress may return to their States and vote
against prohibition if they so desire. but
no Congressman can rightly fulfill the
duties OF his office and refuse to favor The
submission to the States OF this question
for their disposal"
Speaking OF the vote on the HobSon-
Sheppard amendment in Congress last
December, Doctor Baker fired broadsides
into Underwood and Mann, Democratic
and Republican floor leaders in the House,
who were spokesman for the liquor men.
Incidentally he pricked nice little Mann
presidential bubble appearing here. ell
the Republican party wants to insure its
defeat in the next presidential election
beforehand, said Doctor Baker, "the
safest way TO do so is to nominate Mr..
Mann or any other friend and advocate
of the liquor traffic. No presidential bee
can live in alcohol"
The superintendent report also de-
nounced compensation" On this point
he said 1.-The traffic is inherently GRIM
inal and every man engaged in il has done
so with the knowledge that the State has
reserved the right to abolish il whenever
il chooses. Nor is compensation to be
thought OF as method of getting rid Of
the traffic. Less evils than the drink
traffic have been abolished without COM
pensation, and this one will be. The
people of this country have millions TOR
war against drink, but not one penny Tor
compensation or compromise"
One OF the significant things OF the
great convention is the action OF COM
mittee of $50 business men, who have
undertaken 10 raise fund OF $1,000, OOO
as a campaign fund, half OF which is to
be used in seeking national prohibition
and the balance for State temperance
legislation. An especial effort will be
made to elect Congress next year that
will agree to submit prohibition amend
ment TO the vote OF the States. Business
men representing important industrial in
tereSts from every section OF the country
are at the convention, planning for the
effective carrying on of the temperance
work.
The following officers OF the National
League were elected:
President-Bishop Luther B. Wilson,
New York City.
Secretary-S. E. Nicholson, Richmond,
Indiana.
Treasurer-Foster Copeland, Column
bus, Ohio.
General Superintendent-The Rev. DIR.
p. A. Baker, Westerville, Ohio.
A number OF presidents were also
elected and an executive committee
named.
II IL.