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Martha McClellan Brown Correspondence Martha McClellan Brown Papers (MS-147)

6-16-1892

National Convention, Music Hall, Cincinnati

Oscar B. Todhunter

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Repository Citation Todhunter , O. B. (1892). National Prohibition Convention, Music Hall, Cincinnati. .

This Letter is brought to you for free and open access by the Martha McClellan Brown Papers (MS-147) at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Martha McClellan Brown Correspondence by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. I I NATIOl'JAL PROHIBllflON -CONVENTION,

CO M MITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS: I PRINTING COMMITTEE: J. B. MARTIN, Chairman, H. T. OGDEN, Chairman, 29 West Fifth Street. MUSIC HALL, CINCINNATI, 65 West Fourth Street. HALL COMMITTEE: MRS. M. McCLELLAN BROWN, Secretary, DR. J. A. THOMPSON, Chairman, Wesleyan College. 154 West Eighth Street. SAMUEL '9ELLS, Treasurer, DECORATION COMMITTEE: 67 Vine Street. JUNE 29-30, 1892. MRS. L. s. PACKER, Chairman, 29 Saunrlers Street. RECEPTION COMMITTEE : FINANCE COMMITTEE: E. J. MORRIS, Chairman, REV. M. C. LOCKWOOD, Chairman, 10 West Third Street. 2 Wesley Avenue. PRESS CO MMITTEE: MUSIC COMMITTEE: OSCAR B. 'l'ODHUNfER, Chairman, JAS. H. FILLMORE, Chairman, . 185 Race Street. 141 West Sixth Street.

To Editors: Returns already received from the press of the country indicate that the National Prohibition Convention is attracting a great deal of attention this year, and will be better reported than any of the preceding five National Conventions of the party. Papers that have not already filed applic~tions for seats will kindly do s o at once s o that ample provisions may be made. Working reporters will be assigned seats at the reguld.r press tables; other members of the press will receive stage tickets. · Press H eadquarters will be opened at the Gibs~n House, Monday, June 27th, and will be transferred to Music Hall, at the opening of the Convention, Wednestlay, June 29th. Badges and tickets for reserved seats will be issued to all representatives of the press presenting proper credentials at Committee Headquarters. Many leading daily papers have already secured seabs for from one to three representatives each, and other applications are corning in continually. The Associated Press, the United Press, and the Press News Association, as well as the various newspaper unions, are preparing to carry full reports. There will be ample wire service in the Hall for all special newspaper work. Below are current items of information which will interest your readers: The apportionment of the Convention provides for 1,191 delegates and 1,191 alternates. Indications are that three-fourths of these will be in attendance. There will be a very large number of visitors, arrangements being already completed for numerous special trains from the east and west. Every state and territory will be represented. Hundreds of rooms at the hotels have already been engaged, but Cincinnati has unsurpassed accommodations for a large convention in its many and spacious hotels and its ma.gnificent Music Hall. The railroads have granted a one-fare rate to all comers. The discussion of candidates is waxing hot, and there is likely to be a lively contest over the nominations. Many names are mentioned, such as John P. St. John, of Kansas; Gen. John Bidwell, of ; W. Jennings Demorest, H. Clay Bascom, William T. Wardwell, and Dr. A. B. Leonard, of ; Dr. A. A. Miner, of Boston; Gideon T. Stewart, of Ohio; Judge Amos Briggs and Hon. James Black, of Pennsylvania; John Bascom, of Massachusetts; Col. Eli F. Ritter, of Indiana; Col. Geo. W. Bain, of Kentucky; Rev. D. C. Kelley; of Ten­ nessee, and others. There probably would be a strong agitation for a change of name for the party, were it not that such change made at this time would be likely to prejudice the standing of the party as a recognized political organization in states having the Australian ballot. There is a decided tendency toward a "broad" platform, to include all pend­ ing reforms, and in favor of the coalescence of all reform parties, with prohibition of the liquor traffic as the domi­ nant issue. However, there is a strong element in the party that inclines more to the " one-idea" view, clailI)-ing that the party has better hope of success by confining itself to the one issue of the prohibition of the liquor traffic. It is not improbable, therefore, that there may be a lively discussion of the platform and the policy of the party. The scheme in which the party workers have been engaged for some months past of securing the written pledges of 1,000,000 voters to support the ticket this year bears every promise of success. The work is in the hands of the National Committee, and every signature is attested by some reliable person. The lists of names are all to be checked up by a committee consisting of Gen. Wayne MacVeagh, Republican, Hon. Abram S. Hewitt, Democrat, and A. A. Hopkins, Prohibitionist. These signatures are secured with surprising ease, and many ot the signers immediately set to work to secure other signatures. Respectfully, OSCAR B. TODHUNTER, Cltairman Press Committee.