The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-20
MORRISON'S BOOM.
Congressman Townshend, OF Illinois,
Talks About It.
He Thinks He Is Good Presidential
Timber.--McDonald Standing
Judge Gresham Foster
on Payne.

WASHINGTON CITY, Feb 20. -@Gathn says:
l met Richard Townshend, congressman
from Illinois, the other day and had a talk
with him. Said to Mr. Townshend: "Wnl
Col. Morrison be able to get the delegation
from Illinois at the Democratic national con-
vention?"
YES, think he will 1t has been tie mis-
fortune of Illinois that she has never come
forward as unit. In 1872, when the Cincin-
natl convention was got up chiefly for the
purpose of nominating David Davis, Mr..
Trumbull's friends and Mr. Palmer's friends
proceeded to that convention, split the Illinois
delegation into three or four factions,
and the nomination went to the east. At nc
subsequent time have we been able to organ
ize Illinois in favor of any single person. Yet
l think that Morrison will get the delegation
this time, on almost all of it"
Said /: as Gen. Palmer again cani-
date!'
Gen. Palmer says he thinks the candi
dates ought to be taken from the two doubt
full states of Indiana and New York OF
course this implies that he does not favol
Morrison"
Said /; rs this free trade scheme of Nor
rison's consonant with the general Demo
cratic feeling in nlinois3'
Yes The sentiment for revenue reform
is We ry general in the Democratic party in
our state. There are also a number of Re,
publicans who entertain similar sentiments;
but l think none of these Republicans are
disposed to leave their party organization Oh
that subject. The agitation OF free trade is
now within the Democratic party. The Chi,
cage Tribune continues to publish free trade
articles; but it does not propose to break
away from the Republican organization
Said L: "Would Morrison make good
president"
II think he would He has always been a
leader in politics and follower of the peo-
pie. His military record is a very good one
He never became a very high officer, but he
went to both warS--the Mexican and the re-
bellion-pronIptly,a aud in the latter COM
manded a regiment Morrison has his enc
mics and his opponents He is never without
policy, however, and there is no difficulty
in determining where You are to find him.
Our people have Weakened up in the past two
or three years to the appreciation Of Nor
rison. This has perhaps come from appre-
citation OF Morrison on.sla Of the sta5e-'
Said l: Hitherto McDpaald and Morrison
have been fliaa.ily; how does Mcdonald like
Morrison booking upon the presidency as pos,
sibly his
wen, Of coarse, if MorTison's forces get
some Roadway those men win re rivals Nc
Donald is a more popular man in his address
and manners than Morrison, who is independ.
ent and a little austere"
At this moment it would seem that McDon
aid retains slightly the lead for the prasiden-
tlal race, and is not far enough head to;ucuu
any well-organizei opposition But Indiana
men doubt that with all his geniality
be could get far away from such man a.
Gresham, whom 1 find to be popular with
both parties in Washington, and rather tt
be recognized as the most natural leader or
the Republican sid, the more SO that he doe:
not attempt to lead anybody nor to celebrate
himself His wounds about which mer
know almost by instinct, indicate that he wa
prompt young soldier. His service on the
bench aad the uniform satisfaction he gave
there have approved MIN to be just man
His retention of the respect of nlel like Grant
who commanded him, and an absence Of self
seeking that have always distinguished him
are noticed by the people.
Governor Foster, of Ohio, was in Washing
NSd 4hot 5uIdals sAAIO LsAA q lSh L4LAt4LEs
with him. Among other things told hin
that / had heard that Mr.. H B. Payne posi-
lively declined to take the presidency if ii
was offered to him by the Democratic con
vention; that his family considered that hi,
ago and not very strong constitution pre-
cluded hin from sacrificing his life to any
more political ambition; that he IS willing |;
be a United States senator and incur tbs
quiet duties of that office, but that his sons
his daughter, his son-in-law and bis wife, ant
himself, too, had resolved not TO try tn
| White House. l may say that did hea
| this thing. Mr.. Foster said that he had heart
! about the same story.
Said /; would not Mr., Payne be- danger
GUS man for the Republicans in Ohio:'
"Oh," said he, Il do not think | ought Il
answer that question. If you do not put mi
in the papers l might tell you" He did an
swer it favorably to Mr. Payne, but furthe.
than that / shall not say. The tenor of biz
answer leads me to suggest to the Republic
ans that if there has been any conference a
Mr.. Payne's house. and he has concluded no
to run, it is perhaps good thing for them