Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-04-12
PANDEMONIUM REIGNS
IN COUNTY CONVENTION
RiotOus Proceedings in Republican Gathering in
Which Combine Controls.
SHERIFF HEIOER ALONE PREVENTS TROUBLE
Knox is Disposed of and Kennedy Forced Upon
Party Despite Protests--The Ballot.

Circuit Clerk. g. W. GAMBLE. Molin,
Attorney....J. X. SCOTT. Rock Islanc
Coroner L. V. ECKHART. Rock Island
Surveyor. y. GOULD. Molm,
The presence of Sheriff Heider and
his deputies alone prevented riot
during the closing half hour of the
Rock Island county republican con
vention at the court house this after
noon. The controversy arose over the
offering of resolution by II. NJ. Me
Caskrin. of this city. for the increas-
ing of the number of county commit
teemen i'm Rock Island and Moline
from two to seven each. one for every
ward. {. j. Searle led the opposition
and was backed by the country dele
cation and a number in the Rock Isl
and section. Bitter words were ex-
changed and 50 excited did some of
the delegates grow that they were on
the point of exchanging blows when
the sheriff intervened and commanded
order. The resolution was adopted
amid cries of derision from the coun-
try delegations. all of whom left the
convention hall before the motion to
adjourn was put. An effort was made
to adjourn before a vote was taken on
the resolution, but Chairman Kennedy
declined to recognize any such motion
until aIter the convention had adop-
ted its slate. w. \. Rosenfield. of Rock
Island. was elected secretary of the
county committee.
Kennedy Showed to Front.
William. Kennedy, representative of
the Rock Island Looney-republicau
combine was compensated in
part for the defeat he re-
ceiyed at the polls one week
ago today as a candidate for super
visor, by election to the craftsmanship
of the county republican convention
held at the court house. 1t was in
of the plan of the strategy
board To carry cut its original deter
minati0n to land Kennedy in the Office
of sheriff.
Today he was brought before the
country delegations in the hope of
an impression. But he was
put there contrary To their wishes.
for practically the whole rural vote
was against him for presiding officer
of the convention. He was pulled
by Moline. the steering com
mittee from that city i'm conference
with the members of the local STRAIT
cgy board last night being made to
believe that kcnnedy'S loss Of the Su-
peryiSorship was accomplished by the
knoN-Nates crowd.
The convention was called to order |
at HE'S o'clock this morning by i. f. |
Knox, the county chairman. The |
Rock Island and Moline delegations |
were seated in the portion Of the room |
reserved for spectators and the coun- |
try delegates were accommodated on |
he inside of the railing. Secretary G.. |
/. Peterson read the call. Knox i'm |
'alling for nominations for temporary |
chairman. himself proposed Capt. W.
r.. Bennett. Of Moline, and was seq
Dnded by {. J. Searle, of this city. l.. /
e. Handing, Of Moline. presented VIII |
lam Kennedy, of this city. and was |
seconded by II. NJ. McCaskrin. of Rock |
Island.
Capt. Bennett Pulls Out of Race.
Knox asked for viva voce vote on |
Kennedy and declared that he was |
beaten. Division Of the house was de-
nanded. Bennett. realizing that a |
storm was impending, sought to sim |
llify matters by Withdrawing. He |
aid he had been honored sufficiently |
~ conventions in the county and he t
would like to see other deserving re-
)ublicans recognized. lie said he
would step aside in favor OF Kenne-
~. Searle stated that there were del
gates in the convention who would
rot be satisfied with anyone except
ng Capt. Bennett for their presiding
,fficeT, and if he was the only one To
10 so he would vote for him.
Put him out" sit down" were
houts that came from the rear Of the
rock Island delegation
NO. don't throw me out: count me
'ut. was Searle's rejoinder. II. VI.
icCaskrin. who was calling point Of
rider. and was unable. in the con-
usion io get the ear Of the chairman.
inally got up steam enough 10 make
motion heard TO elect Kennedy by
exclamation. The chair ruled against
i'm. lie proposed giving the conyen-
ion the privilege OF saying whom #
Wished for presiding officer. and in
tructed the secretary to call the roll.
City Delegates OpDoss Kennedy
] he vote was yes or no on KennedV.i
Ini res ulted IN his election 2OJ 10 147.