Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-06-27
WAS NOTHING TOlT
Hot Air Wasted in a Frosty At.
mosphere Saturday
Night.
JoHNNY's LITTLE BLOW OUT
The Attempted Republican Rally
Proves a Dismal
Fiasco.

Two gas machines held forth in the
central part of the city Saturday night.
They were not intended to rival each
other in the matter of attracting atten-
ton, but circumstances over which
neither apparently had control develop
ed just such a state of affairs. never
the-less. One was run under
the auspices of Sam S. Dav-
is, of gas stove fame, in its
accustomed place of exhibition down
on Seventeenth street between First
and Second avenue. The other was in
spired by Johnny Rink. likewise of hot
air fame, the point of attact being the
Market square band stand, which
Johnny had decorated during the af-
ternoon with streamers. flags. G. A. r.
pictures and things. AS between the
drawing capacity of the two events
Sam Davis won, three to one. In fact
he held the crowd solid until WORD
came over from the banu stand to pun
down the curtain and give the other
fellows a chance. Sam is obliging, and
hence it was announced that "by re
quest the exhibition would close for
the evening" Then just before the
good night" was flashed, as if TO heap
Goals on the heads of the rivals, a life
like picture of President Roosevelt was
shown. But as il represented the presi.
dent as an ordinary citizen. and the
bucking broncho. the broad sombrero
and the laSSO were missing. to say
nothing of the fierce expression, il
was cOldly received. There was too
much still life in it. Those composing
the assemblage were much more inter
ested in the moving pictures, and when
they were dismissed, instead of crowd
ing over to Market square they scat
tered about town. IL the wild men on
the bicycles had come along about
that time there would have been
nothing doing around the band stand
at all.
JOhnny's PyrOtechnIcs.
But a word about the lesser attrac,
ton. When Johnny got everything
in readiness he introduced DR.. G.. G..
Craig as the master of events. The
doctor was present. So also on the
platform were numerous fathers ana
sons of distinguished men. The doc
tor called for a tune by the band. 1t
was rendered. Then Joseph l.. Haas
was introduced Ito fire the first gun or
the campaign" Joe fired. He started
by saying something about providence.
The speaker finally convinced his hear
ers that he was serious. He said some
thing also concerning Theodore Roose-
welt. He remarked about the flag.
wrapped himself in its folds. defied tyr
amy and oppression, the light was
turned on, and the band played slow
music.
Thereupon the speechmaster pro
ceeded to present the first of his
string of young hopefuls. r. w.
Olmsted was trntted out. The
speaker in thrilling tones averred
as how the late Chicago convention
had offered proof that this is indeed
a country-of-the-pe ople-for-the-pe
pie and-by-the-people Incidentally i'll
mis- line of argument Mr.. Olmsted
proved that he is older than he looks.
Mr. Olmsted grew in eloquence as
his speech went on from the keynote
sounded at the opening. and there was
only regret that he was compelled to
sit down.
The band took the signal to play
again, and when the music had ceased
Bernard ID. Connolly recited a care
fully prepared history of the republi-
can party-from the rOck-bound coast
of Maine TO the glitter of the Golden
Gate at San Francisco and reaching far
ont on the broad bosom of the Pacific
to the distant isles included in the dia-
dem of priceless gems that have been
brought under the folds of the flag
through the wisdom of the republican
party. and included in sisterhood of
states composing and making up a re-
| public upon whose glorious posses
sions the sunlight of heaven never
ceases to shine. While Mr.. Connolly
was recovering his breath the band
rendered a patriotic overture.
Two More HOpefuIs.
James F. Witter. J. p, was now
given a try-out. James was nervous
but game. He became mixed in his
dates, but hung on in a manner that
challenged the admiration of his hear
ers. After a little more music
John X. Scott touched upon the some
what delicate subject of local republi
can politics. John was clearly anxious
10 have it get out among the Yates
men that he was thinking no more of
Lowden and he wanted them all to
think with him. The band tried to
help John out. and then Harry Nc
Caskrin was presented. Harry's chief
claim TO fame Is that he is the brother
OF the redoubtable George. Harry
would have created a sensation by
speaking if he had his lips to a mega
phone had il not been that the crowd
was now prepared for anything. When
he had retired the director general
announced with evident regret that
he was out OF ammunition. At this the
lcrowd gave three lusty cheers. the on
lly ripple OF enthusiasm manifest
Throughout the proceedings. And
L.