St. Paul daily globe., 1884-07-02
ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS.
They Meet in Convention To-Day, but
are at Sea Oh the Presidency.
If New York Fools About Too Much Illinois
May Have "Favorite Son."
Especial Telegram to the Globe. !

PEORIA, July NEARLY 1, 400 Democrats
assemble here tomorrow to elect national
delegates and electors and nominate state
officers. About the presidency they know
not what to do. Delegates from the northern
portion of the state seem to prefer Cleveland,
and if Cleveland were as strong throughout
the country as he was week after
Tilden declined it would be possible to in
struct the delegation for him, and Senator
Mcdonald, who is favorite with the dele
gates from the southern portion of the state,
could not prevent it, Cleveland's prestige
here has been waning for some time, Cow
euer, and while there is a feeling that
the best if not the only thing the
Democracy eau do is to nominate him, there
is no hurrah or enthusiasm for him. Never
theless if New York demands his nomina-
ton with anything approaching unanimity
he will get more than half of the Illinois del
egation. If Cleveland does not show up well
Mcdonald will probably be the second choice
of Illinois and if neither of them seem like
ly to succeed it would not be surprising to
find the delegation falling back on Tilden
and voting for him whether he would or no.
Not few entertain the impression that Til
den is the only man who can win and many
are inclined to go for him fearing if they
do not nominate some one early
in the proceedings and head off Ben
Butler, that hero of many conventions, may
secure one more nomination. He would be
terrible dose for the old Bourbons, and they
are actually afraid that the old schemer may
outwit his opponents and force himself upon
the party which nominated Greeley.
There are hints of an intention to drop all
the candidates who have been named and
spring new man on the convention.
Palmer and Trumbull have been mentioned
in that connection. The trouble is that Nor
rison, for whom this state threw away its
votes four years ago, dog-in -tne-manger-
like, would not be willing that any other
Illinois man should get the state now, and
Carter Harrison, who is crazy
to be named for vice president
would kick against a man from this state
who would dare to reach out for the presi-
dency. But suppose New York unable tc
agree on any New York man should take uI
Palmer or Trumbull. Then Morrison and
Harrison would have to get out of the way OF
be run over. By the way, Palmer is one OF
Tilden's pets; Dana likes him and Kelly
would not object. Neither would John n.
Palmer.
Only three names are mentioned for the
overnorship-Mayor Carter III. Harrison OF
Chicago, who knows he has the powerful
liquor interest of the state at his back and
thinks he has the Germans under his con-
troll; General John G. Black of Danvill, who
was gallant soldier and is an eloquent at
torney, and John H. Oberly OF
Bloomington, an editor and very
clever fellow. AS horsemen say, Harrison
has the pole, and if he was anxious for the
place neither Black nor Oberly would have
have any business entering in the race. The
truth is, however, that Harrison hesitates as
well he may to tackle Oglesby, and it is said
is quite stiff with those who urge him to run.
He does not intend that mere governorship
shall keep him out of the vice presidency or
out of the national convention as a
delegate at large and it is stated that if
Illinois will only stand by him for vice presi-
dent, send him as delegate at large, promise
him the senatorship and allow him to inject
his Iroquois tariff speech into the state plat
form he may be induced to accept the nom
ination for governor. There is such thing
as being hoggish, however, and, after all,
Harrison may get left.
With Harrison out of the field Black would
be the favorite. For the other offices there
is not much rivalry. Henry Setter Of St.
Claire and Fred Bross of Alexander, both
Germans, are running for lieutenant gov
enor and one of them will
be put on the ticket. Setter leads
Already the number of strangers here is
very large, every train is bringing in hum
dreds. Among the distinguished persons
who have engaged special accommodations
regardless Of expense" is MikeMcDonald, of
Chicago, who has a parlor and bedroom on
the second floor of the National hotel for
which he pays $50 day, not including et-
ceteras. The flag of our country is draped
over the entrance and IN. c. McDonald'' in
large letters shine on the door.