The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-07

| beTs of the committee:
At large-John H. Oberiy, of Bloc M
ington, chairman; William J. Mize, of
Sullivan, Secretary; VIM II. Green of
Cairo; S. Corning Judd, Gen Herman,
Chicago.
LIST district, Joseph G. Mackin, of Chi
cago.
, J. H. Hildreth, of Chicago
8 T. T. Quincy, of Chicago
4 5. B. Chase. of Chicago.
) r. W. Corbett, of Aurora.
s W. II. Mitchell, of Freeport
j. II. McConihe, of Princeton.
8 A, J. O'Connor, of LaSalle.
9 E. B Buck, of Kankakee.
| 10 W. T. Dowdall of Peoria
| II Charles H. Whitaker, of Macomb
II F. F, Bridges, of Carrolton,
10 j B. Irwin, of PekiD.
Is A. J. Pryor, of Charleston.
1G Geo. ". Fithian. of Newton.
| II W. Z. Anderson, of Carlinville
10 S. L. Dwight, of Centralia
20 Thomas P. Bounton, of Jonesboro.
All the members were present except
| William Fuller, of the fourteenth district,
and also Mr. Coppinger of Alton, and
MI. Forman, of Nashville. represented
respectively by Mr.. Fitzmaurice and Mr.
c. n. Forman.
As the hour approached for the after
noon session of the committee, the ro-
tunda of the National hotel became
| dcnsely crowded. The committee went
into private session about 2:s0, and after
about an hours private consultation, they
repaired to the main dining hall, which
had been cleared of tables, and chairs
substituted. A platform had been erected
at one end of the room. The seats were
filled with an expectant crowd for several
| minutes before the arrival of the commit
tee, who were heartily applauded on
appearing. Chairman 0berly made the
announcement that tie committee had
decided that Peoria's representative make
the first speech, and Hon. John 5. Lee
assembled the platform for that purpose e.
The gentleman made an earnest and
stirring address, showing the many advan
tages of Peoria over hersister cities. He
wished it distinctly understood that he
would not say a word derogatory
OF any of the competing cities, but
| would only aim to show why
Peoria should be selected. The Sc
lection of a place to hold the state con-
vention was question of locality and not
of personality. In considering it all
personal feelings should be laid aside.
At the present time the holding Of the
state convention here would DC great
advantage to the democracy OF Peoria
and vicinity. For sixteen years previous
to 1882 the republicans held nearly all
the principal offices in the county. Now
every office is held by democrat except
one, and that by lady, who was elected
as republican, and now claims to be a
democrat. In the contests IN this con-
gressional district for over twenty year.
the democracy have been defeated in all
except two. In 1872 they elected Mr.
Stevens, of Bureau county In 1882 they
elected Mr. Worthington, of Peoria
county. In 1880, in presidential cam
paign, all the odds against the democracy
the speaker said he would be pardoned
for calling attention to the fact Gle
was himself the candidate) that the
republican majority in the district OF
1900 was reduced to 364. The
holding of the state convention in Peoria
at this time would infuse life, ambition
and energy in the local democracy. j
would show them that the party of the
state are in earnest and disposed to aid
and encourage them. The republicans are
now bowling that "Worthington mus
go" The speaker thought he must go
also-must go back to congress. To re
tain the congressman from this district
party of the state. 1t is not necessary as
political advantage to Springfield. That
congressional district is solid for the
democracy. Congressman Springer i.
sure of u reelection by large majority
without any doubt. Because of Peoria
hotel and hall accommodations, its rail
road facilities and of the political advant.
age it would be asked the committee
to call the convention ia this city
| DANvILLE.