Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-01-20
SENATOR MASON.
Of Illinois. Will Put on the Togs
Next March.
WINS THE PRIZE AT SPRINGFIELD,

clamation-Lorimer Follows Madden's
Lead and withdraws in Favor Of the
Genial "Bnly" and the Other Candidates
Stampede in the Same Direction-Gov.
Bushnell on That vexed Ohio Senatorial
Anybody.
Springfield, Ills, Jan. 20.-william E.
Mason was nominated for United States
senator at the Republican joint caucus
last night, after one of the most bitterly
fought battles in the history of the Re-
publican party in Illinois. Although
he had been canvassing the state as a
senatorial candidate for two years, Ma
sons selection was regarded by the
machine" politicians as an impossible
ity up to within two hours of the time
Of his triumphal and unanimous nom-
ination. the choice being the result of
the sudden withdrawal from the race
of Representative Lorimer. who had
held almost the solid vote OF Chicago
and Cook county. The contest had been
so long drawn out, the battle so fierce.
that the legislators were in a mood TO
be stampeded any moment as the hour
den shifting of the Cook county force
to Mason carried other candidates Off
their feet. The tide turned toward the
ex-representative with a rush that car
ried everything before it, and the nom-
ination was made without any show of
opposition.
Distinct Defeat for the Combination.
Mason's selection was a distinct de-
feat for the combination of politicians
known as the machine" and a clear
victory for the Mckinley forces of the
state. NJ. =. Madden, the Chicago al
derman. who was at the outset the
machine" candidate, and until a little
more than a week ago seemed certain
of the nomination. lost his hold on the
legislators and was forced to withdraw
largely as the result of the belief that
his selection was opposed by the presi-
dent-elect. Madden's withdrawal was
hailed by the anti machine element as
death-blow to the combination, but
the organization Immediately re-enter-
ed the field with Lorimer, who was re-
garded as even more anti-administra-
tion man than Madden. Lorimer showed
much strength at the start but his
friends were discouraged yesterday, be-
lieving that the Mckinley element of
the state was too powerful to permit
him to win, and at the caucus of Cook
county members at s o'clock last night
I.orimer announced his withdrawal in
favor of Mason.-A stampede to the lat
ter followed.
Just Tumbled Over Each Other.
When the joint caucus assembled IN
the state house at o'clock everybody
assured everybody else that it was all
overland it soon was. The only ap-
parent contest was that of the sup
porterS of the various candidates to be
the first to withdraw the names of their
favorites. In rapid succession were
withdrawn the names of Lorimer, Colo
mel c. E. Carr. Cannon. Hopkins, Hit
and Samuel w. Allerton, the Chicago
packer. The Withdrawals were all in
favor of Mason, and were greeted with
enthusiastic applause. A motion to de-
clare Mason the nominee by acclama-
ton met with a score of simultaneous
seconds. and was adopted with a roar
In which the gallery and crowd which
thronSed the corridors and surged
against the doors Joined with a zest.
The several defeated candidates ad-
dressed the caucus, and Mason made
a brief, happy speech of acceptance,
Sketch of the Nominee.
William E Mason was born July Z.
1850. in F'ranklinsville. y. V. tine young
est OF family of fourteen children.
In 1856 his parents moved to Benton
port, Ia Here he went to the public
school, taught school. studied law. and
at the age of 10 years was graduated
with honors from the college at Bir-
mingham. Ia He later taught school.
| and studied law and short hand at Des
Moines. and went to Chicago with
Lawyer Thomas Withrow in 1872. He
became a shorthand reporter in the
courts, and formed a partnership with
Judge Wallace. In 1873 Mason married
Edith NJ. White, Of Des Moines They
have nine children, all living. Mason
was twice a member OF the Illinois
| house of representatives; once a MEM
Der of the state senate. and a member
| Of the Ffftieth and Fifty-firSt con-
| Gresses- He enjoys the distinction Of
being the champion campaigner OF Illi-
nois. having during the last eight years
| addressed more people in the state than
| any other man duripy that