Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-04
HAVE A RALLY
IN PLOW CITY
Moline Democrats Addressed by
G. A. Cooke and T. J.
Chamberlain.
LATTER is A NEW YORKER
Pat MuIlane Butts Into Game and the
Crowd Gives Him His
Deserts.

The democrats OF Moline gathered at
the Industrial Home building last ev-
ening to hear the issues of the cam
paign. both local and national, discuss
ed. The meeting was presided over
by Aid. Edward COryn, OF the Fifth
ward, who in few well-chosen words
introduced George A. Cooke, of AledO
saying that Mr.. Cooke would address
the audience on the national issues.
Mr.. Cooke was prepared to give a
comprehensive discussion of the ma
tiOnaI issues. but an incident made it
necessary that instead of deyOting his
remarks to national issues for him to
explain in detail the standing of Mer-
Ger and Henderson counties in regard
| TO mass conventions. AS Mr.. Cooke
arose and addressed the chairman,
Patrick Mullane arose in the audience
and demanded whether Mr.. Cooke
would not, instead, give the audience
an explanation OF mass conventions,
and what he termed "disfranchisement
| of Rock Island county democrats"
The audience was not inclined to bear
with Mr.. Mullane's discourtesy, it be-
ling well known that Mullane is interest
ed in the candidacy of George w Nc
CaSkrin, but what was more unfortunate
for him was his position in the communi-
" as the lieutenant of J. p. LOOney.
Mullane was greeted with a volley of
Ijeers. and told to either be orderly or
leave the hall. This turn of affairs
seemed to discourage Mullane. and he
left. while the audience cheered Cooke,
and showed their satisfaction that Null
lane had departed.
Mr.. Cooke did not at once take up
the question of Mr.. Mullane, but called
the attention of the audience TO the
candidacy of David w. Matthews. of
Milan. for congress. and urged the sup
port of Moline democrats in his behalf.
He explained that in the coming SEES
sions of congress. Moline has many i'm
portant interests, and for this reason
they should have a representative who
can appreciate the needs of the vi
entity.
Explains Mass Conventions.
The speaker then entered on an eX-
PLANTATION of his standing with regard
TO mass conventions. and the causes
that led to his nomination in mass
convention. 1t was a cowardly act of
Mr.. Mullane to ask that question, and
then leave the hall before l could re-
ply to his statements, and explain to
him and to YOU my position said Mr..
Cooke He declared Mullane to be one
of those who had done his best to de-
moralize the democracy of this county,
and suggested that perhaps Mullane
has an interest in the candidacy of
McCaskrin. The audience showed APP
probation of his sentiments in no I'M
certain fashion.
Mr.. Cooke then went into detail with
regard to the conditions in Rock Island
county which had led to the calling of
the mass conventions at Aledo. This
explanation of the causes was fully
given in The Argus of last evening, by
Mr.. Cooke. He explained how LOoney
and Mullane and their followers had
secured temporary control of the de-
mocracy of the county. how the Rock
Island democrats of the better element
had petitioned and applied to Mercer
county to assist them in breaking the
LoOney ring by calling a mass cOnven-
ton. He referred to the charges made
by McCaskrin that his nomination was
stolen. and called the attention of the
audience to the fact that it had been
declared the legal nomination in the
courts of the state. He invited any of
the people of the district to examine
his record. which McCaskrin is con
stantiy distorting and declared that
he had no apology to make for any act
of his officially.
PIRtl.gp fnr
In closing this topic. Mr.. Cooke said
that as far as Mercer county is con-
CeTned. Rock Island may have any sort
OF a convention she may want two
years hence. and viii be supported by
Mercer He called attention to the
contests which have arisen after dele
gate conventions in which Rock Island
was represented. but declared that it
would make no difference. He closed
his remarks by stating that he had
meant no offense to any democrat who
has the real good of the party at heart.
Mr. Coryn then introduced T. J.
Chamberlain. a member of the national
committee. from New York Mr. Cham
berlain suggested that. from the looks
OF things. the democratic party needs
work in Moline. He said
that he had not come 1000 miles TO
address an audience of democrats:
that he had been sent to preach to the
sinners. not the righteous. The votes
Of the people who will vote the ticket,
no matter what it stands for, is what
causes rotten politics. said the speak
or.
The republican party once stood for
good principles. but today it is merely |
On the market, taking orders from the !
trusts who are about ready to fore /.
close their mortgage. The creed of !
King George is the republican platform. |
and gamblers motto is the slogan of T,
the president-"stand pat
The speaker contrasted the plat
forms and the principles of the repub- y
lican party of 1860 and the republican
party Of today. There is no principle