Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-15
OPENING OF THE CONVENTION.
Chairman Norton's Opinion of Mckinley
and His Bill-Speculations.


and His Bill-SpeculatiOns.
When the convention met at 10 a. m. to-
day every seat in the hall-which will seat
5,O00-was occupied, and there were stand
ing up in various parts of the chamber at
least 1000 more OF course there was
much confusion, but order was finally OBJ
tanned, and thetemporary chairman, John
,. Norton, arose to make the opening
speech. He congratulated the convention
on the encouraging outlook for the Demo
cratic party and predicted its triumph in
the coming election. He then took up
the Mckinley bill, and devoted the
greater part of his remarks to
that measure. which he characterized
as law no more worthy of honor than
the levy of the bandit and buccaneer.
Personally Maj. Mckinley is an honest
man, said Col. Norton, but his measure
is burglar without heart and without
mercy, who robs alike the defenseless
child, the strong man, and the helpless
woman. 1t is a monument of wrong
whose every stone is from the quarry of
oppression" He closed by Introducing
Allen w. Thurman, the temporary chair
man, as the worthy son of an illustrious
sire.
Speculations on the Ticket.
1t had been decided that the convention
was to hold two sessions, so that the first
was merely for preliminary organization,
matter that was disposed of with some
little friction; during the recess the hot dis
cussions which were begun yesterday were
continued in hotel lobbies and elsewhere
and the most discussed question in many
knots of delegates was who were to be
Campbells running mates. That Camp
bell would be nominated was a foregone
conclusion with all. Lieutenant Governor
Marquis will probably be renominated as
lieutenant governor, although he is not
making any campaign. For the remain
der of the six places on the ticket about
every other county has candidate.
Trying to Bring Out a Dark Horse.
Congressman NJ. d. Hartcr, the Mans
field free trailer, came to the city Monday
night. \ secret conference was held il his
apartments yesterday noon. 1t was anti
Campbell in sentiment, and those
present considered the advisability of en-
tering Harter as a dark horse in the
gubernatoriGl race. 1t was thought that
Harter might be able TO draw away from
Campbelfs support. The latest scheme
on foot Is &c get "a many candidates as
possible in the hope of preventing Camp
bells nomination on the first ballot.
Thurn an Refuses to Interfere.
When Allen c. Thurman told the com.
pany assem- led at his birthday banquet
last fall that he had babe farewell to
political life he meant what he said.
Great pressure has been brought to beer
upon the "Old Roman" during the past
few days TO induce him to come to Cleve-
land and use his efforts toward promoting
peace among the antiCampbellites, with
whom he has considerable influence He
has, however, so far resisted this pressure,
and Yesterday morning it was given out
that under no circumstances would he de-
part from his resolution by becoming even
political peacemaker
Some More Pistols Drawn.
There came near being a tragedy in the
meeting of the delegates from the Seventh
congressional district last night. The
trouble arose through Colonel Herbert,
of Erie county, declaring his intention of
supporting Campbell in the convention.
Mike Harrington, of Toledo, took UNI
bragg at the declaration of his colleague.
One word brought on another, and
finally Harrington let out and knocked
his opponent out of his chair. According
to eyewitness Herbert drew his gun
and one Of his friends followed suit. bur
the other members of the delegation rush
ed between the combatants and prevented
further hostilities
The committee on resolutions stands
eleven to ten in favor of free coinage.