Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-06-04


arms of the states and territories and the
principal cities High up in the air, the stars
and stripes futter from the supports TO the
roof and the front of the stage, as well as
the tables are decorated in harmony with the
rest of the building.
The bright bracng weather of Saturday
and yesterday, following the sultry, disagree
able weather of the preceding week, has sug-
gested to delegates and others attending the
convention a renewal of the phrase "CleVe-
land weather. The whirl has begun, the
crowd increases hourly, and the rotunda OF
the Southern hotel, which is the principal
headquarters, was crowded throughout
yesterday. Conferences of members of the
several delegations began at an early hour
in the morning Saturday night the executive
committee agreed to recommend the selec-
ton of Lieutenant Governor White, of Cali
fornia, for temporary chairman, and strong
sentiment was developed in favor of t. A.
Collins of Massachusetts,, for the permanent
presidency of the convention.
This action has had tendency to renew
speculation as to who will secure econd
place on the ticket with Cleveland. Unques-
tionably Thurman was even more favoraoly
regarded last night than he was Saturday,
and bright and early the friends of the "Old
Roman" were at work in his behalf, and In
every hotel they could at once be identified
by the miniature bandanna that nestled in
their buttonholes
Shortly after breakfast the California del
egation held a caucus in one of the commit
tee rooms of the Southern for the purpose of
discussing the situation. 1t seemed to some
of Governor Gray's friends that this would
be a favorable opportunity to present the
claims of the Indiana candidate, and SO they
sent in a request for hearing. The Cali
fornians acquiesced, and IN few moments
Congressman Matson, Judge Holman,
Charles L. Jewett chairman Of the Indiana
state committed, and Charles G. Offut, ap-
peared upon the scene. By this time news of
what was going on reached the rotunda, and
in twinkling the room and the outside
lobby were packed. All four of the Indian
ians made vigorous speeches, intended as
much to influence the outsiders as the Cali e
fornia delegation. They said that next to
the president Governor Gray was the one
man upon whom the eyes of the Democracy
of the country were fixed. With him i'll the
second place on the ticket victory would be
assured in November. Just as Hendricks
they said, contributed his full share to the
election of Cleveland in 1884, so would Gray
bring power and strength to the ticket He
was clean, able, successful man; as an or
ganizer he was without peer in any state of
the Union. He was, moreover, the young
mems candidate, and upon the shoulders of
the young men of the nation would fall the
work and burden of the coming campaign
The delegation listened attentively, but said
never a word, nor did the audience by clap
or cheer give any encouragement to the ora
tors.
All the Indiana talk, however, is not for
Gray. There are good many hailing from
tnar state who are endeavoring to throw cold
water on the governors prospects. One OF
these is William Henderson, of indianapolis,
relative of the late Vice President Hen
bricks. He has been giving it out that Gray
is obnoxious to large element of the party
IN the state. Gray's friends do not like this
talk. They content themselves with denying
that there is any real division among the
Indiana Democrats on the question of Grays
candidacy, but they are distributing badges
with the inscription cleveland and Gray
to everybody that will put them on.
The Ohio delegation, with the state central
and executive committees and invited guests
to total of about 800, arrived yesterday
morning. They came from Columbus on
special train the guests of Calvin S
Bryce, the Lima millionaire and one of the
delegates at large, and according to all &C
counts had a decidedly hilarious time of il
en- route, At Midland City where a short
stop was made. they encountered Governor
Foraker, who was en- route in the opposite
direction, and treated him to an informal re-
ception, giving him rouSirg cheers, and fall
ing in line to shake him by the hand The
governor might have doubted the sincerity
of his political opponents, but he took the
affair good naturally all the same. and