Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-13
Place and Date Of Holding
Democratic National
Convention Fixed.
100000 OFFER TAKEN
Louisville Only Formidable Com.
petitor With Western City
for the Big Meeting.

Washington. Dec. 13.-After deciding
to hold the next democratic national
convention at Denver, Col, and fixing
the date at July Z, 1903, the democrat
ic national committee late yesterday
entered upon a spirited debate on the
propriety of accepting more of the
100000 offered by Denver for the con-
vention than was actually needed to
pay the convention expenses in that
City.
Opposition to acceptance of the con-
tributions took the form of a resolu-
tion by Representative Clayton of
Alabama, declining money not actually
needed for convention purposes, but
after a long debate the resolution was
laid on the table by 81 TO IA vote.
HOkc Smith Calls II a Bribe.
Governor Hoke Smith of Georgia
was especially emphatic in saying the
100000 which had been offered to Sc
cure the republican convention and
was refused by the republican national
committee, had been offered to and
was about TO be accepted by the DEM
ocratic committee. He said the repub-
licans turned down the offer because
it was regarded as in the nature of
bribe. and that democrats, in view of
that circumstance, could not afford to
accept it. John Sharp Williams spoke
in a similar vein. as also did Clayton.
Looks Good to Taggart.
Chairman Taggart advocated accept
ance of the 100000, saying it would
be needed now even worse than money
was needed in 1904, and that at that
time it would have been practically
impossible to have opened headquar-
ters for Judge Parker if they had not
had extra money secured from st.
Louis. where the convention was held.
Mayor Tom Johnson of Cleveland
and Senator Stone of Missouri also ad-
vocated acceptance of the money.
Clayton declared the acceptance of
; this money would be in line with the
very practice in campaign contribu-
tions that had been condemned by the
committee. Senator Tillman opposed
the acceptance and wanted the demo-
cratic organization of Colorado to have
the money to fight their next cam
lpaign.
Purpose Was Innocent.
Charles E. Wilson. sitting as proxy
, for the member of the committee from
I Colorado, assured the committee that
Denver had no desire to appear as un-
: duly influencing the committee He
/ said the offer was made by the Busi-
> mess Mems league in the same spirit
/ as money had been offered to secure
t other conventions. A motion to table
Clayton's motion was then made, and
carried. On the first ballot for the con-
o Ivention city, Denver received % votes,
o Louisville Il, Chicago 5, st. Paul 1.
, Before the second ballot was taken all
other cities were withdrawn and the
choosing of Denver was made by &C.
lclamation.
Denver is Happy.
, Denver Col, Dec. 13.-C. NJ. Day,
! president of the Denver Convention
League, held an impromptu reception IN
his office when the news of the selec.
ton of Denver as the democratic con
vention city became public Business
organizations are preparing for gen
eral jollification. The convention hall
,fl when completed will represent total
a cost of 100000 The auditorium will
.ol seat $4,000, and it is claimed at least
a 1,0G0 more can be accommodated in
s case of necessity
\. Bryan Satisfied.
Isl Lincoln, Neb, Dec. 13.-When told
IL last night of the date of the democrat
ic national convention. Mr.. Bryan ex
pressed his satisfaction and said hs
Ii believed the committee was wise IL
II. selecting a date following the republi
can convention. He said that while h,
had taken no part in the canvass fo
j the convention city. he was sure tn,
delegates would find Denver delight
full place to meet on the date decide,
N upon.