The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-07
THE THIRD PARTY.
MASS CONVENTION AT THE
COURT HOUSE,
Nothing Accomplished Other Than
Voting Down Resolutions and
Motions.

Inc GFeenOach-iaoor party met Ill
mass convention at the court house
this afternoon. 1t was not as numerously
attended as was the democratic ana repub.
lican conventions, but there was good
representation for the number of votes
polled. Morris T. Stafford, chairman OF
the county committee. was elected chair.
man, and Mr.. Frank Wheelan was chosen
secretary Upon motion of ]. N. Hun
toon, the chair appointed the follow
ing committee on resolutions:
J. N. Huntoon, Samuel Wainwright,
John Buffum, j. H. Miller and James
Dietz.
During the absence of the committee,
caucusing was quite general as to what
should be the course of the convention.
The assemblage seemed to favor the en-
dorsement of the democratic ticket. and
subsequent proceedings proved that it
was, although no definite action was
taken. The committee reported as fol-
lows:
Resolpsd, That it is the sense of this
convention, that if suitable persons can
not be found, who will be candidates for
the various offices of this county, from
the members of this party, that then said
offices be left vacant. and no nominations
be made, and that none of the candidates
named by either of the democratic or re-
publican parties be endorsed by this con-
vention.
WHEREAS, The workingmen of this
county are personally and vitality inter-
ested in the nomination for congressman,
and in the successful, and vigorous pros
ecution of the great national works in
this locality. And
WHEREAS, They believe that such in
terests can be best furthered by the elec>
ton of member of congress from this
county. Therefore be it
Hes0lred. That it is the sense of this
convention that the interests of the work
ingmen require that they support cans
didate for member of congress from this
county at the coming election.
After considerable discussion the reso>
buttons were defeated by vote of "a to
10, upon a motion of adoption by Rob>
ert Bennett, who made quite a speech in
their favor
A motion to proceed to nominate a
candidate for county judge was defeated,
but motion to nominate a sheriff pres
vailed. John Huntoon moved that only
those who voted for Butler be allowed to
participate in the convention, which mos
ton was strongly objected to and finally
defeated. James E. Lsrkin favored the
endorsing of the democratic ticket, as
that party had shown its good will to the
laboring class by placing two of their
men on the ticket. Bennett replied by
attacking the laboring men who had
allowed their names to be used by
the democrats. saying that he
was in favor of straight ticket. He
was opposed to political trades. and went
on to proclaim his virtue as straight>
laced workingman. Patrick Ferron,
however, took the wind out of Benefits
sails in neat little. speech. He proved
conclusively that the latter had sold out
bodily to the republicans in order to be
elected to the Office of police magistrate.
and also scored him upon working for
Congressman Niece with the sole object
of getting place in the government SER
vice. Ferron was loudly cheered as he
took his seat.
Bennett went down the aisle of the
court house flushed and excited, aud de-
Tended his political character warmly
]. W. Cavanaugh replied effectively to
some insinuations made by BenGett
against the workingmen who had been
nominated at the democratic ccnve ntion
q. NJ. Mccarthy attracted the atten
ton of the convention by introducing a
motion that the convention favor W. H.
Gest Tor congress The motion was
promptly voted down.
During the controversy several mos
tons to adjourn were made, but not put
by the chairman, but finally a motion
to that effect prevailed and the CON
yention adjourned sine die, without
appointing delegates to the legislative or
congressional conventions, or transacting
any other business.
A COUNTY CONVENTION.
The county committee held meeting
directly after the adjournment of the mass
meeting, and issued a call for a county
convention to be held on Saturday, Aug
ust 21st. Each voting precinct and labor
organization in the county will be en-
titled to send two delegates.
The Last Spike.
The last spike on the Chicago, Burling-
ton i Northern railroad was driven at 6
o'clock last evening near Prairie du