The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-05-19
To-Dav's Dispatches.


thus far.
The city is overwheIme! with visitors to
the state convention. the largest atten-
dance ever known on similar occasion
AS but 600 visiting tickets could be issued
thousands were unable TO gain admission
to the hall of the house of representatives
The members of the state central commit
tee who distributed these tickets, have
been besieged all day and the corridors OF
the state house have been packed with an
anxious throng, vainly seeking to gain ad-
mission. All the congressional districts
except the first three, held conventions
during the forenoon to select members of
of the committee on Credentials. 1t sev-
eral districts delegates were all selected.
The convention was called to order
promptly at noon by Hon. A. NJ. Jones,
chairman of the state central commit ee
Prayer was offered by Rev. Robt. Nourse
of Springfield, The call was read by
Daniel Shepard, secretary of the Com INIT
tee. 4 --.
Jones spoke briefly, saying that Re-
publican party had reason to be proud of
its success in this state, and he felt certain
that whatever this convention should do.
the Republicans of the state would heartily
endorse. (Applause.l
Jones then nominated Gen. Green Il
Raum, Com missioner of Internal Revenue,
as temporary chairman, No other nomi-
nations were made and Gen. Raum was
unanimously elected,
Gen. Raum, addressing the convention.
said:-
The candidate to be selected by you for
governor and other state officers, will be
elected as surely as the election day ar
rives, unless we, by a division OF the
republican party, give these Offices and
with them the control of this great state,
into the hands of our opponents. In ad-
ditiou to nominating candidates for our
state Offices, we are to select delegates to
the National Republican convention, for
the nomination of candidates for President
and Vice President For the first time in
our history our state struggle over the
presidential question has thrown into the
back ground the contest for the nomina-
ton for governor. This struggle bas
been so earnest aud mixed. it may be
with 80 much bitterness aud personal
feeling in one of our counties. that we are
not permitted to disguise the fact that it
threatens to end in q dangerous schism
in the Republican party of our state, and
thus endaneer the supremacy of the
Republican party of the state and nation.
Gentlemen of the convention. there are
two sets of delegates of 90 members each
from the county of Cook accredited. as.
understand, to this convention. Their
respective credentials will no doubt
be presented for your consideration
The 600 delegates whose seats are not
contested constitute the tribunal which is
to pass upon the questions involved IN
this controversy. You have been select
ed according to the usages of our party, as
the representatives of the Republicans of
your respective counties. The con
testing delegates looking down from
these galleries upon the members who
are to be their judges. will agree with me
when | say that their cases are safe IN your
hands. From my personal acquaintance
with large number OF the sitting dele
gates, and q knowledge OF the character OF
many others, | am prepared to express
the deliberate opinion that you will be in
capable of doing an act of injustice to gain
partisan end, sincerely trust that you
will have the wisdom. moderation and
tact. 20 settle this difficulty upon terms,
honorable alike to the contestants and to
the convention, and in a manner TO meet
the approval of the Republicans Of the
state and of the country. To the contest
ants one and all, | will say that, it you
are predetermined not to submit to the
decision of this convention. unless it be ID
your favor, [ advise that you do not pre-
sent your credentials and claims Tor its
consideration. Political parties are volun-
tary associations, organized for the purpose
of carving out their principles and meas
ures By the election of officers to admin
lister the government. These associations
must be controlled.
There are class Uf politicians who
wear their principles so loosely that they
can throw them aside at pleasure when
ever they are unable to dictate nominations
of their party. As twilightsIs the mixture
of daylight and darkness, SO are political
PRINCIPLES of these men. You arc unable
to tell where their Republicanism leaves
off or their Democracy begins. Glancing
over the lists OF the contendlDg delegations
from Cook county. | see names OF men
who have been leaders in the Repuotican
party for years, and who have labored for
and participated in its great triumph. /
cannot believe these men and these whom
thew represent will submit their creden-
tials and claims for the consideration OF
this convention refuse to abide by its de
cision. This body of delegates is here to
do iustice. is here to accom- ID odate this
difficulty, is here to pave the way to
great state and national Victory. we are
here to renew cur devotion 10 the hepuo
Ecan party, passing by the hnanclai
question which has been settled
by the resuu1 ption of special payment, The
refuuding OF the national debt at 10"
rate of interest, the existence OF cur"
rency of uniform value and OF equal value
with coin, and the return OF prosperous
times, we will demand that the laws shall
everywhere be peacefully observed. We
will rcassert the fundamental principles
which underlie our system OF government
and declare that liberty, equality and jus,
tiee shall be established and maintained
throughout this land. that the right OF tree
Assem- blags, of tree speech, and free
ballot, shall be maintained wherever the
flag floats. We will select state ticket
that will sweep this great prairie state as
with a fame, We will send delegates to
the national convention, and pieghting our
faith as honorable men and as true repuo-
I;oans. will agree to support the nominees
of that convention. If that true repuoh-
can wise statesman and great hnancier
Jno. Sherman is nominated We VIII give
him a n earnest and hearty support. LII
that great political leader and ,mltaole