On
July 31, Parkersburg became convention host to the well-intentioned Prohibition
party. David D. Johnson called the ninety delegates to order, after invocation
by "the Rev. Mr. Meyers, " pastor of the Moundsville Presbyterian
Church. Johnson proclaimed the value of the third party movement and named
the Rev. L. L. Stewart, of Moundsville, temporary chairman. The Woman's
Christian Temperance Union's resolution for a third party, obviously of
the Prohibition variety, had been passed by that organization's July 5 convention
in Parkersburg by a vote of 43 to 40, largely through the influence and
activity of Miss Frances E. Willard. This Temperance Union endorsement was
presented by Miss Jane Johnson at the Prohibition convention before nominations
took place. The combined pressure of these two temperance- minded groups
made the proposed amendment prohibiting the sale and manufacture of intoxicating
liquors the most important of three submitted to the people in November.
Following the address by the "Hon. [General] George Christian"
in which both major parties were tremendously scathed, routine business
was completed. "The committee appointed to report the State ticket
then appeared with . . . [a] list which was unanimously adopted."
Thomas R. Carskadon, a one-time leading Republican of Hampshire County,
and one who had been the youngest member of the State Constitutional Convention
of 1862-63, became the gubernatorial candidate.