Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-05


bensck on Hand Taking Notes and Maxi
ing Predictions as to ResuIts-Populists
TO Hold n Conference Tonight.
SPRINGFIELD, June 5.-The city is
thronged with silverites from all
parts of the state. Every delegate
seems to be for free silver, and if
any are opposed, they are few.
There is-no doubt in the mind OF any
but that radical free silver plat
form will be adopted and that the
democracy of the state will be COM
mitted to that policy. Chairman
Hinrichsen called the convention to
order at 1910 and delivered a
lengthy silver speech. Judge Mon
roe c. Crawford, of Union county,
was made temporary chairman.
Prospects Of Large Attendance.
SPRINGFIELD, Ills. June 5-The pros.
pect for n large attendance at the Demo-
cratic state convention were not as bright
yesterday morning as the originators OF
the convention wished. The vast crowds
even begun to arrive. This was accounted
for by the fact that many legislators and
lobbyists, fearing jam ut the hotels have
remained ut home. Yesterday morning
no men Of national reputation had ar
rived, and even local leaders from various
districts were few. Men who have at
tended conventions, Democratic or Re-
publican, In this city for the last twenty
five years predicted n small attendance.
Chairman Hinrichson, Of the Demo-
cratic state central committee, was still
confident that the convention would be a
glorious success. The fact that few peO.
pie were here did not disturb him. He
said that there were no candidates to vote
for, and it would DO useless for delegates
to come u day or two in advance Of the
convention.
Taubcneck "lIappens Around"
He did not expect large arrivals to be-
gin before last evening. Tho farmers
all over tho state were busy with their
crops and they wanted to lose rs little
time as possible. Thea the weather in
Sprin gfleid was intensely hot, and the
delegates did not wish to spend any morc
time in the crowded hotels than they had
to. Tho hotels have all engaged in ad-
vance all rooms they have, and some Of
them have nothing but cots in halls left.
Among the arrivals was II. +. Taube-
neck, chairman of the National Populist
central committee, He refused to DO in
terviewcd, and would not even say what he
Is doing hore at this time Ex-Congrcss-
man.at Large Andrew Hunter, of Paris,
Is here, rs also are ex-Judge Scales, of
Chicago, and Dennis Hogan, of Geneva
All are wearing blue ribbons on the lapcls
of their coats bearing the Inscription
"Frec Coinage Of Silver on IA Basis OF 16.
to-1 Gold"
Matters Change by Nightfall.
But whatever the outlook in the morn
Ing by nightfall there was every indica-
t!on that every county In the state would
be represented by n full quota Of dele
gates. a large number of visitors Is also
expected. Sentiment among delegates SO
far seen Is practically unanimous in favor
of free silver, and it seems that there will
not be much opposition to such a resolu-
tion. Judge Goodrich, Of Chicago one Of
few Sound money" delegates, will oppose
the scheme to call u national money con-
vcntion. He says he can see no sense in
such proceeding. The sudden appear
ahce here Of Taubcneck caused much
speculation. He is of course free silver
man. He said last night that he had no
interest in the convention except as
spectator. Certain managers Of the
Democratic party" he added, ''are now
trying to steal the Populist platform"
He had no objection. In fact he Is doing
all he can to encourage silver agitation
among the Democrats, for he feels certain
1t will eventually disrupt the Democratic
party.