Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-26
Believed He Will Make
One OF Notable Speech
es Of Career.
FRAMING A PLATFORM
Mayor DahIman's Friends Urg-
ing Him as a Candidate for
the GovernorShip.

Fight for supremacy with quarter
mer followers of Bryan and their
one-time leader was the situation
presented when the democratic
convention was called to or
der today. County option was the
issue that divided the delegates and
the tnsistence of Bryan that the coun-
ty option plank be inserted in the
platform was combatted by a major
ity almost two to one. Bryan refused
to listen to the advice of friends,
and those opposing the option plank
stood against granting concessions to
him on the occasion 1t was appar-
ent the longtime democratic leader
was to meet his first defeat at the
hands of Nebraska democrats. This
was the situation when the conven-
tion opened, and the indications
were the contest would carry the COM
vention into a night session.
Delegates Gather Early.
Grand Island, Neb., July 26-Dele-
gates gathered early about the tent
where the democratic state platform
convention is being held today The
presence of w. ]. Bryan and the be-
lief that he was to make one of the
most notable speeches in his career in
what Is regarded as crucial contest
for his political leadership also served
to draw hundreds of spectators.
With the arrival of Bryan all the
dominant figures of the convention are
ON the scene. Mayor Dahlman of Oma-
ha, now arrayed against his former
political leader in the pending county
option contest, headed large delega-
lion from Omaha today, which loudly
proclaimed the candidacy of Mayor
Dahlman as successor to Governor
Shallenberger.
Headquarters Crowded.
The headquarters of Congressman
Hitchcock, Omaha and Richard L. Met
calf, London, candidates for the nom
nation for senator, were crowded dur
ing the morning, and much partisan
feeling was evinced, although the con-
vention will take no action on candi-
dates for state and national offices.
Save for the probable endorsement of
the administration of Governor Shallen-
berger, the convention will confine its
efforts to drawing and endorsing the
platform on which the party will make
its campaign in the state this year.
1t was indicated early that the tenn
porary convention would be made per
nanent and that Constantine ]. Smith |
Of Omaha as temporary chairman |
would deliver the keynote speech of
the convention. A conference of dem |
ocratic leaders during the night was
attended by several populist delegates, |
whose convention also. will be held |
here today, and efforts to adopt plat |
form planks that will not conflict rad |
ically were made 1t was deemed prob
able. however, by the populist leaders
that the county option feature Stunned |
by the larger convention would be one |
of the populist planks.
Bryan VIII Not Bend.
A feeling among the delegates that
Bryan might adopt a conciliatory atti-
tude in the face of a decisive majority
opposed to his county option views and
might acquiesce in placing the question
later before the Legislature for a final
from Bryan or his adherents. 1t was
indicated that in his speech on the floor
of the convention he will place the
matter squarely before the delegates.
Governor Shallenberger Fwas anxious
that the convention endorse enforce
ment of the law, while Mayor Dahlman
and his followers were even more de
sirous that no endorsement be given.
Nebraska Republicans in Convention.
Lincoln, Neb., July 26.-In assuming
the temporary craftsmanship of the Ne
braska republican state convention,
Senator Norris Brown spoke only along
general political lines. He reviewed :
the record of the democrats in what he /
termed failure to fulfill party pledges.
They promised free lumber, postal saw
ings banks, free coal, and free iron
ore, but voted against all these in
congress. On the other hand, he said {
the republicans have kept faith with
the people, especially in the revision
Of the tariff. They also gave the peo-
pie postal savings banks, and in other
ways redeemed platform pledges
Talk in the lobbies this morning indi-
Gated fight on the permanent chair
on the floor of the convention. {
Anti-county option leaders declared
that il many instances instructions for