Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-14
It WAS A WISE MOVE.
The Restoring Of Hon. Ben T.
Cable to Place in the Illinois
Democratic Councils.
PARTY Is GENERALLY PLEASED,

HeesSAphshes fohtlcal unity In the Party
and Opens the Door to Those of
Gold Leanings in the Campaign of
Two Years Ago-An Are Welcome
Back.
The democratic press throughout
the state shares the views taken BY
The ARGUS yesterday, that the action
of the democratic state convention in
restoring such prominent democrats as
Hon. Ben L. Cable and others. who
were with the gold wing two years
ago, to the place of prominence and
influence in the original time-honored
party they once enjoyed was singu-
larly wise move. Many republican
papers admit the same effect. The
Chicago Times-Herald, for instance.
says in its review of the convention
proceedings: Harrison men were
largely responsible for opening the
doors to gold men who confess peni-
tence. ElmOre W. Hurst. of Rock ISL
and, managed the first victory for
Ben L. Cable, whose name hitherto
has been red flag among free silver
democrats. When Mr.. Cable became
a gold man in 1896 and was ousted as
Illinois man on the national commit
tee, Mr.. Hurst, as friend. remained
the connecting link between Mr.. Ca
bic and his party. On the floor of the
convention, when modern Egypt re-
VOTED against Il visitation of gold
bugs Thomas Gahan, of Chicago,
Mr.. Cables successor as national COM
mitteeman, managed his fight. al
though he was not seen. He gave the
opposition its coup de grace When he
had Senator Joseph p. Mahonev,
recognized as foremost adherent of
John p. Altgeld, advocate the return
to the committee of both Mr.. Cable
and Roger Sullivan. Cook county
men say this bit of work will help the
democrats there in the fall and in the
future. 1t proves, they say, that gold
democrats of 1896 can come back to
the fold if they try the right method
-acquisscence in party action and
participation in party work. One
promise of the new state central COM
mittee is that this promise of party
uniiication will go on"
All May Now Return.
The Chronicle says: odd line
democrats are pleased over tho con-
vention' decision that enabled Cable
and Sullivan to retain their places on
the state committee. In comment
ing on this phase of the DAYS pro-
ceedings, City Clerk Loefller said to a
correspondent of the Chronicle: i
am particularly glad that it happened.
because 1T leaves no excuse for tardy
democrats coming back into the party
lines during thi. campaign. They
cant say we are keeping them out.
now that we have permitted two of
their most conspicuous leaders to
take seats on the committee that is to
manage the campaign of 1900.'n
The Springfield Register in the
course of its editorial comments on
the action of the convention saws:
The State Register believes that the
action Of the convention in confirm
ing the selection OF the democrats of
the Tenth district, was wise. and that
its results will be beneficial. The op-
position was wise and commemorative,
also; for it resulted in fixing Mr.. Ca
ble's status as sincere convert to
the doctrines Of the Chicago platform
which he repudiated in 1896. and in
committing him unequivocally to the
support OF the democratic ticket and
platform of 1898, and in establishing
him as co-worker with Bryan, Alt
geld, Harrison and other democratic
leaders OF this and other states in be-
half OF the free coinage of silver and
other democratic reforms. When
such democrats of the Tenth district
as Charlie Ladd, NJ. J. Daugherty, e.
more w. Hurst and others vouch for
the repentance of Mr.. Cable, and his
acceptance and belief in the sound
ness of the enunciations Of the Chi
cago platform of 1896. no one can
doubt that he 10 in line once more
with his party. The same NAV also
be said of the issue as to Roger SulIi
van. of Chicago, although the opposi-
ton was not expressed in his case.
: The Cable episode of the
state convention cannot fail to have a
good effect on the party not only in
Illinois, but throughout the country
Amusing Incidents.
Some of the amusing incidents of
the convention have been related in
The ARGUS. The Chicago Chronicle
relates some of them. too:
- i was not for Cable until | knew
ne was for the party, said Daugherty,
of Knox. We. of the Tenth district
know whom We want, and we want
Ben Cable.
- Chicago is for local self govern
ment. said Frank ChiIds in the
course of 4 long, calisth-nic speech in
defense Of Roger {. Sullivan.
d" Who dares to question my democ-
racy?' was the query from Charles