The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-05-07
A KEEN FIGHT PROMISED IN THE
ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN CON-
VENTION.
VERMONT DELEGATES UNRESTRICTED
But Preferences Expressed for Mckinley
A Split in Georgia-The Mckinley
Faction in Alabama Fuse With
the Populists,

Springfield, ILL.,, April 29.-lt has not
vet been decided whether the delegates at
large to represent Illinois at the national
Republican convention will be instructed
The state convention met at noon TO-.
day. nominated John r. Tanner for gov.
ernor, w. A. Northcott for lieutenant
governor, and then adjourned until 0,
O'Clock tomorrow morning.
This was done in accordance with the
plan mapped out by the so-called machine.
Never before in the history of the state
has the attendance been so large as that
today. Fully 1900 gathered in the
great dome building at the state fair.
grounds to watch the proceedings. Noon.
was set for the time of meeting. Long
before that time people began to arrive.
and when Chairman Jameson called the
assemblage to order there was scarcely
standing room in any part of the house..
According to the program now prepared.
the convention, upon assembling tomOr--
row, will begin by nominating the bal
ance of the state officers, and then, ac-
cording to agreement between the ''ma-
chine" leaders and the Mckinley men,.
the resolution instructing the national del
egates at large to support candidate at
the national convention at st. Louis will
be acted upon.
Tonight both the Cullom and McKin.
ley factions are claiming victory tomOr-
row, but no man, not even the leaders
can predict with any degree of certainty
what the result will be.
1t was a few minutes past noon today
when DIR. II. \. Jameson, chairman of
khe state convention. called the conven-
zion to order Every delegate was in his
seat and the galleries and aisles outside
the space reserved for delegates and al.
ternates were thronged, and visitors out
side the hall were struggling to get in.
When he had formally called the con-
vention to order, \. r. Madden of Chica-
so was named by Mr.. Jameson as tempo
rary chairman.
Another resolution was then presented
which referred all resolutions to the com
mittee on resolutions without reading,
save resolution instructing the dele
gates at large how to vote at the national
convention.
ID. Y. Litter of Sagamon wanted to-
know why this resolution should be given
the right of way over the business of nom
mating the trustees of the state univers-
ity.
Mr.. Calhoun of Livingston replied that
the question of instructing the delegates
at large was a matter of much importance
| and could not be put off till the closing
hour, when everything might be in con-
fusion Loud applause followed, and the
| resolution was adopted.
The names of the various committees
were then announced, after which Il recess
was taken until , p. IN.
When the convention reasscmbled the
committees on permanent organization re-
ported. There was no contest in dele
gates.
o. +. Berry of Carthage was nominated
as permanent chairman. He was intro
duced by Temporary Chairman Madden.
Mr. Berry, ON taking the chair, made
long and eloquent address.
At the conclusion of Chairman Berry's
speech, John X. Tanner, A. j. Hopkins
and DR.. Jose Robbins were placed in nom
inatiOn for governor. The roll call re-
suited: Tanner, 1888; Hopkins, 1S3, and
Robbins 90.
After the cheering had subsidized Mr.
Tanner made a brief speech.
w. a. NorthcOtt was then nominated for
lieutenant governor, and adjournment was
taken until tomorrow.