Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-09-29
SPEECH BY GOV. SHAW
lowa's Executive Fires the Open
ing Republican Campaign
volley in Rock Island.
AIRS HIMSELF ON MONEY QUESTION.

says That Will be the One Issue on Which
the Political Battle will be Waged
Throughout the Country-Avoids Refer
ence to State Matters-A Repetition of
the Old Cry to Beware of Free Coinage.
Leslie NJ. Shaw, governor of Iowa, sang
about the virtues of republicanism at
Armorv hall last night. He came here
under the direction of the Illinois state
central committee to fire the opening
volley in the fall campaign. He did
| nicely. He told few jokes, related
what he knew about the money ques-
ton. jollied his party and all the big
fellows identified with it, especially
the occupant of the presidential chair,
| talked little war, and that was all.
The governor spent the greater part
of the dav across the river. In the
evening he made his appearance in
Illinois. 1t was at first feared among
the big bogums that the distinguished
Iowan was not coming. Hence his
| arrival occasioned much relief and
great Joy. But he came alone. Sydney
Foster, who was booked to accompany
him, getting mixed with his dates and
missing connections. Sydney sent a
telegram instead. The party leaders
in the city flocked to the Harper house
to extend the glad-hand to the COVER
nor. Several of the candidates drifted
in, too, shook his mitt and had n few
words with him, for good luck. as one
of them put it.
The speaker was escorted to the
hall by Bleuer's band. In the car
riage with him were f. g. Allen,
chairman of the county committee,
Capt. L. j. Robinson and +. ID.
Sweeney. The music attracted n fair
sized crowd, but only portion of it
could be induced to remain in the
hall. The heat was sitting, and
many of those who determined to
| sacrifice perspiration in the hopes of
hearing something good meandered
before the meeting was half over.
1t was about the poorest excuse for
political gathering that has been held
| in Rock Island for many day. 1t
was lonely and wearisome, a sort of
old-fashioned Quaker meeting. The
stage benches, which are usually occu-
pied by the bright lights" were
empty. Chairman Allen assembled the
rostrum unattended and made eXpla-
nations. He said the republican party
had fulfilled to the letter every prom
Use, and if the prosperity which had
been restored to the country was to
continue the men who were response
| BILE for applying the restoratives must
be kept at the helm of the govern
ment.
Star Attraction Appears.
While the band was playing the star
attraction was sprung, and as he
marched up on to the stand the audi
ence kicked up faint noise. Gov.
Shaw said the fall campaign was the
third ringing of the same bell-the
money question. That was the issue
on which the political battle would be
again waged throughout the country.
He did not know anything about the
local issues in Illinois, and therefore
he would not attempt to say anything
about them. He gave his hearers to
understand that he was posted on
money and proceeded to air his views
on that question. He claimed that the
recoinage idea originated with the
peoples party. He had to admit that
| the 10 to 1 proposition had some APP
pearance of fairness. but then il was
| not just the proper thing. The speak
er reviewed the crime of '73, and pro-
duced an array of newspaper extracts,
ETC., to back up his statements that
free coinage did not produce pros
perity-
Il am monometallist, said the
governor. who by the way, is banker
and one of the wealthiest men in
Iowa, because l believe in one stand
ard, and that standard ought to be
gold because it is the most conven-
lent
Gov. Shaw said that he was per-
sonal friend of William Jennings
BRYAN, and that he was one of the
finest and most genial of gentlemen.
But he did not agree with his doc
trines. No doubt Mr.. Bryan will be
very much disappointed when he be-
comes acquainted of that fact. The
governor also attempted to take
fall out of ex-Gov. Altgeld and Mayor
Harrison. of Chicago, for what they
said in their recent speeches, but not
a word of cheer did he have for John
Riley Tanner.
In a word, Gov. Shaw's speech was
made up of the same old. bewhiskered
wall that the republicans have been
shouting for several seasons. "be-
ware of the democrats and free sill
YER"
Gov. Shaw, in conclusion. paid
fine tribute to the executive ability of
ex-President Cleveland. and by referr-
ing to the American-Spanish war. hold
ing that if the democrats wanted to
share the glory of the conflict they
should shoulder a portion of the re-