The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-25
THE EIGHTH OF JULY
Finally Selected as the Date of the
Democratic Convention.
Report of the Proceedings Of the
Democratic National Committee
Chairman RarnUm's Views
Whose Boom PrOfits9

w ASHINGTON CITY, Feb E4.-Ihe Demo
cratic national committee, after deciding
upon place of meeting for the national con-
vention, concluded to change the date pre-
decided upon and fixed July s as the time.
This was done as a compromise be-
tween those who wanted to hold the con-
vention late and those vino preferred an
early date. The committee issued the official
call for the convention, in which all Demo
cratic citizens of the United States, irrespec-
tive of past political associations and differ
ences, who can unite with us in an effort for
pure, economical and constitutional govern
ment are cordially invited to join in sending
delegates to the convention"
When the question of place came up each
city was allowed twenty minutes to have its
advantages set forth. Chicago's advocates
were Mayor Harrison and Melville w. Fuller.
Mr.. Harrison occupied most of the time al
lowed, speaking fourteen minutes. After
enumerating Chicago's advantages in the
way of hotels, street railways, ETC., the mayor
said:
In 1880 there was not single offense COM
mtted that could be called an offense, and
the police held diSreputable parties COM
pletely in check, If any of you gentlemen
should be led astray pledge you that the
allow you at least to go where you will and
be unmolested, and should you be caught
you shall not remain in durance vile more
than few hours. Everything will be pro-
vided for the convention that IS necessary.
Its halls will be lighted by electricity and
not heated by gas 1t is said that the
| location of the convention will have but
little effect upon politics; yet l think I can
| say something that may have influence in
| that direction. Illinois is dobatable ground.
| We may possibly carry it at the next cleo
| ton. There are some parties referring to
| himselfl who are talked of as candidates for
governor of Illinois. If they accept the
nomination they may be successful Laugh
ter. Two years ago six votes would have
| given us the United States senate. If we
| elect a president Of the United States it
would have a very great import
ance that we should have senate
willing to confirm his nomina-
| bions. In Illinois there is II chance to win
| senator, and the holding of the convention in
Chicago will do much to give the Democracy
help to victory. Another important point:
no on knows who will be the candidate for
the Presidency. We in Chicago have but one
| nan That man was, eight years ago, presi-
lent de jure of the United States. He was
ricked out of his seat by sugglery, chicanery
and fraud. We are for him, and can
| say to-day that we will tender him the nomi-
to decline or accept as he may see fit. If he
| should decline to accept the nomination you
can then put any one upon the horse whom
you please, and we will crack the whip and
urge onward to victory. There is a sugges-
ton that | feel it is my duty to make. We
have presidential timber south of Mason and
Dixon's line. One gentleman is very close to
it. [Referring to Mr.. Bayardl If he should
be nominated in state tnat once held slaves
it would be a very serious blow to his
chances
The proposition made by Chicago was to
pay the whole expense of the convention and
the the national COMMITTEE 50 that the con-
vention will not cost the committee a cent,
except the reduced railway rate in going to
Chicago
When it came to the vote tho frionds OF
Mcdonald voted for Chicago, while Paynes
| immediate representatives and most of Nor
rison's southern friends voted for st. Louis
In addition to the Mcdonald votes, Chicago
got the votes of several eastern delegates who
favor Bayard, Randall, Flower, and others
"It is all right" said Gen. Singleton, o.
Quincy who has been here for weeks work
ing for Chicago. Il knew it would be al
right. 1t was not in the cards for Saratoga
There is too much water there. The ticke
would have become too weak by November
| couldn't have stood alone. Think of a wa
tering place for a convention? Wattersol
said it would be right that Louisville woulC
throw for Chicago, and knew it would. b.
the way where is Carter2 l want my SO
The mayor had bot so to IS with Singleton
after the second ballot that Saratoga woult
1