The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-06-21
THE FIRST GUN.
A ROusing Convention by the Democrats Of La Sale
County,

The first gun from the democratic side o
the house for the campaign Of 1881 was heard
at the Court House on Thursday last 1t was
"boomer," and if the balance Of the cam
paign is continued in this strain there is nj
question of thorough and sweeping demo
GRATIS success in the county. Not for many
years has there been so large turnout at Il
convention of this nature, and no greater
spirit of genuine enthusiasm has ever beer
seen in the most important county conven
tons than existed at thi. convention Of
Thursday The attendance was unexpected
y large, particularly from the rural towns
which at this season seldom take pains to
hold caucus, so that on the report of the
committee it was found that all towns were
represented by duly authorized delegates,
except Fall River, Groveland, Meriden,
Usage, Wallace and Waltham.
The convention was called to order by II.
Bellinghaussn, Esq, Of Peru, on behalf of
the County Central Committee, who, in a few
well chosen words, neatly presented the
general democratic belief of brilliant sue
cess at the November elections, and the i'm
portance of the greater conventions Of July,
to which this one must send delegates. Fol-
lowing the custom Of the past, the committee
selected Hon. II. T. Gilbert as temporary
chairman, who thereupon took the chair
Judge Gilbert said he had never made q
political address, and would not now. He
reminded his hearers Of the old, old saying
that the democratic party in the past had
always done the wrong thing at the right
time but now he hoped and believed that
democrats are going TO do the right thing at
the right time.
On motion Messrs W. j. Hynes, of the
Streator Times and A. J, Reddick, of the
La Sale DemocrdtPress, were chosen secre-
taries.
On motion Messrs. G. W. Armstrong,
Samuel Nicholson, E. S. Browne, A. ].
o Common and W. Hoge, were selected COM
mittee on credentials.
FOR CLEVELAND!
During the work of this committee s. E.
Parr wanted a vote taken Of those present
with view of ascertaining their preferences
for candidates for president and vice presi-
dent He made motion to that effect; but
Mr.. J. H. Eckels moved, as an amendment,
that the convention announce its preference
for Grover Cleveland and Jos. E. Mcdonald
for president and vice president, which was
adopted unanimously with a shout and a
hurrsh.
FOR HARRISON.
Mr.. NJ. s. Mickey, of Mendoza, then
wanted vote on preference for governor of
illinois, and on his motion Mayor Carter H.
of Chicago, was unanimously en-
lorsed
The report Of the committee on credentials
was then read and adopted, showing repre-
present from 81 towns out Of 81
n the county.
On motion, such democrats as were pres.
snt from unrepresented towns were allowed
seats for those towns.
Mr.. L. Perkins made q motion that COM
nittee Of nine, to be selected by the chair,
be appointed, to select and present to the
names of 80 delegates and 81 al
ernates as delegates to the Peoria conven-
ion July I'd.
A delegate from Adams offered an amend
nent, that this committee be composed of
he chairmen of the various delegations
present. He said the rural districts had
about come to the conclusion that there is
40 use in sending delegates TO county con-
,ention. The states were made up by the
owns, and the rural delegates were mere
ipure- heads without practical representa-
ion. Eckels objected to such a committee
IS unwieldy, and that the work would be
lone less satisfactorily and less expeditions
" by such a committee, and secuted the
dea of slate being prepared. A. J.
)Connor, of La Sale, explained the diff
,ulties in the way of perfectly fair repre-
,entation. All the towns could not be
in the state or congressional
for there were not places
and even if there were, it would
be manifestly unfair to allow town polling
75 to $50 democratic votes equal representa-
ion with town polling from 500 to 500.
rhe idea of the gentleman from Adams to
give the country towns representation was
oroper, but to do it perfectly would require
more time than the convention had on hand
In devote to mathematics the best that
,ould be done would be to approximate it.
Ue moved that committee of nine be ap-
oo;nted to select both sets of delegates. The
of this motion and two amend
uents took deal of time and considerable
speechifying; but it was finally agreed that
the committee be composed Of Is members
whom the chairman appointed, as follows:
l.. Perkins, Ottawa; NJ. y Laughl'h'
N Mainline. TX II