Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-06-26
CONVENTION CHAT.
Incidents of the Democratic
Gathering at the State
Capital.
BRYAN AND HILL SPOTTED.
The Situation on the Eve of the
Nomination for Gov
ernor.

Springfield, June 20.-1he arrival
of the Rock Island county delegation
this afternoon was attended by an un-
expected demonstration. Charles K.
Ladd, the Henry county gubernatorial
candidate, came over from Galva with
the Rock Island county crowd. If
there is one thing more than another
of which Ladd is proud-and Justly
so-it is the resem blance he bears to
William Jennings Bryan. 1t so hap
pened that Ladd alighted from the
train at the Chicago q Alton station
here in company with Matt McEniry,
of Moline. Just at that moment
Matt removed his hat-not in response
to the ovation, which had not then
taken place-but to mop the perspira-
tion from his well known and hon.
ored bald spot. Matt with his hat
off bears, so those who say they know
say, a striking likeness to David Ben
nett Hill, and it was not unnatural
therefore that an unusually enthusi-
astic sprig of Springfield democracy
should ell as the distinguished Rock
Island and Henry county men ad-
vanced arm in arm:
"Hurrah for Bryan and Hill"
The two democratic leaders ack-
nowledged the salutation gracefully,
and the others took up the shout,
which proved one of the incidents of
the day before the great convention.
Judge John I. Stafford came down
l.
as the latter is on his way to Eu
rope, he brought with him an unusual
amount of baggage. Judge John was
anxious to help his distinguished rel
ative along with his luggage, and of
course seized the biggest package,
which happened to be Mr.. .Hurst's dress
suit case AS Stafford tossed it into
the cab for the hotel an Egyptian
statesman who was at the depot to
welcome the Rock Island statesman
exclaimed:
..Gee whiz. Elmer, does that box
contain your convention speech?"
But Mr.. Hurst in response merely
gave that characteristic non-commit
Ial, but always winning, smile.
The Peoria county delegation was
the first to arrive on the scene with
gubernatorial boom.
The shouters for Judge Worthington
arrived 500 strong with band at 4
o'clock today. and Immediately pro-
cecded to parade the streets. Judge
Worthington is regarded as formid-
able dark horse.
Charles X. Ladd is the only avowed
candidate who has not, so far, opened
headquarters, and Ladd is not doing
for himself either. He says
he is grateful to all his friends tor
what they have done in his behalf and
will be still further grateful if he is
nominated, but he fears be is not as
much of a success at pushing his own
as he is at furthering that
of somebody else.
Cook county democrcy's repre-
sentatives came in by special train
tonight with band of music and
700 marchers. The contingent made
a fine appear ance as it marched
through the streets.
All is activity at the headquarters
of the various gubernatorial candi-
dates. Cook county is making a
strong pull for Ortseifen, but Alschu-
Ter has remarkable strength even in
the county by the lake. Orendorff
has a determined following through
central Illinois and has an advant-
age in the fact that Sangamon and
contiguous counties are particularly
energetic in his behalf, and in the city
of Springfield, which is his home,
there is naturally a prevailing feeling
in his favor.
There is at this hour a manifest
to force the nomination for
governor on Harrison, who is every
where regarded as the logical candi-
date. should he prove himself
stronger on his arrival in the morn
ing than Roosevelt was at Phila-
delphia and succeed in quieting the
enthusiasm that is being displayed in
his behalf, the nomination is as apt TO
fall to Alschuler as anyone else, al
though later DEVELOPMENTS may
change this aspect
: Former Gov. John p. Altgeld has
demonstrated that he is not yet out
of politics by opening headquarters at
the Leland.
Il am here simply for Bryan and
the Chicago platform. said Judge
Altgeld tonight in defining his posi-
ton
Democratic headquarters generally
are at the ST. Nicholas hotel