Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-25
STATE DEMOCRATIC coNvEN.
TON TO BE HELD IN LOWER
RIVER CITY.
FLIP OF A SILVER PIECE
DECIDES MoMENToUs QUESTION
Race Was Between Council Bluffs and
ottumwa and Deadlock Ensued-
Outside Cities Combined to Defeat
Des Moines Sullivan Selected For
Temporary Chairman.
Special to Ttmes-Republican.


Des Moines, Feb. 25.-Ofered to the
highest bidder for cash. tied UP in a
deadlock, then rafled off at cigar
stand with a charming girl as referee.
Thus the democratic state convention
of 1910 goes to Dttunlwa.
It was an interesting contest just
the same. Ten ballots were taken with
out result. 1t started with Des Moines
5, Council Bluffs 4, ottuulwa 5. On
the eighth it evened up each. Then
there was scurrying and hurryins and
private conferences in dark closets.
The Bluffs and the down river sea-
port realized they had the capital city
beaten. There was a gathering at the
cigar stand.
Lets rattle it off," said Postmaster
Ninocks.
That's a co. said Mayor Maloney.
Nick Reed diagramed it, He gingled
a coin in his pocket and laid it on the
cigar case. The girl watched him close
~ to see there was no jugglery.
Its heads" said The Bluffs ITS
heads" said Outuu1wa- It was.
Three times it was just the same.
Its heads" said the western town
a fourth time q think it is tails said
the southern city. And it was.
The compact was kept and on the
next ballot Otuumwa got g votes. Flint
Price voted himself and two proxies
for Des Moines.
But prior to this there was some
thing doing. A small matter OF a short
age of $3.50 was suggested. The COM
mittee needed the money Council
Bluffs said they would pay it off. OF
tun1wa would give $500 cash. The
Bluffs came UP to the pile. Des Moines
baked and called for cards. Not
cent of tribute. That settled it with
the committee and it was just follow
ing this interesting episode that the
first break was made and Des Moines
struck the down grade.
The matter of the claims Of the
various cities for the democratic state
convention was presented very briefly
by representatives.
Clinton had rendered only an in
formal invitation with no definite prop
osition. which left the city really in no
position whatever to be considered
The invitation was read.
Ottumwa was first to show her hand.
Ottuuwa offered a hall for the con-
vention, a brass band, badges for the
delegates and free rooms for the mem
bers of the state committee. From
purely political stand point it was also
explained that Ottumwa wanted the
convention in the belief that 1t would
aid in making the Sixth district solid
" democratic. 1t was also urged that
since Boies was nominated there, 1t
was a good place to name democratic
winners.
Council Bluffs offered the same in
ducements as Ottumwa, as to hall,
music. badges and free guest rooms for
the committee and friends. and also
Transportation for the members of the
committee to and from the convention
Much was said about the good hall
and the fine hotels and also the at
fractions of Lake Manawa and near
ness to Omaha. It was also said that
democrats were very numerous in that
part of the state.
pes Moines presented the well rec
ognized facts in regard to the adj
yantages of the city and offered con-
vention halls and music and other nee
essaries.
It is believed by the members of the
state committee that notwithstanding
that this is to be a convection which
follows a primary when there VIII be
nominations all made yet there is like
" to be large attendance.
Jerry sullivan was selected for chair
man and w T. Cakes of Clinton for
secretary.