Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-21
SEARCH FOR COAT
T0LEAD HOPESOF
C. 0. P. LEADERS
Republican Congressional Com
mittee Fails to Get Candi-
date for Nomination.
M'KINNEY FLATLY DECLINES
Attempt Is made to Force the
Honor on Mercer County Man,
but He Refuses to Accept.

The republican congressional COM
mittee which met at Monmouth yester-
day afternoon vainly endeavored to in
duce some patriot to stand for nomin-
alton in the Fourteenth district.
Leaders of the party spent several
strenuous hours attempting to hang
it on the other fellow" but available
timber was woefully lacking and the
conference ended with nothing ac-
complished and the republican politi-
cal situation in the most complicated
condition in the history of the party
in this section of the state.
Mckinney Declines.
Hon James Mckinney of Aledo, for
mer congressman, was regarded as the
only man sufficiently strong to wage
a spirited campaign, but Uncle Jim"
refused to assume the charge. The
Mercer county delegation made a de-
termined effort to simply force the
honor on their fellow towsman, but
he would not stand for it. His health
has not been good, and it is under
stood he does not have the least in
clination to take up the arduous task
of a thorough canvass of the district,
such as will be required this year.
When Mr.. Mckinney absolutely re-
fused to have his name considered in
connection with the nomination, the
members of the committee began look
ing elsewhere in the district for some,
one 10 pose as the goat. J. NJ. Pace
of Macomb, former county superin-
@f 1rr,
hotel man of that locality, was sug-
gested for the place, and Frank Abbey
of Biggsville, former member of the
legislature, was also mentioned, and
one of these two may undertake the
task. 1t was thought the Rock Island
county delegation would put forward
the name of c. J. Searle, but his i'll
health caused him to- absolutely de-
cline. Captain H. A. ]. Mcdonald was
also discussed, but his friends state
he is not a candidate.
1t developed today that former Rep
resentative Frank Abbey of Biggsville
is to be the man and petitions in his
behalf were placed in circulation.
Pleads for Union.
The conference was held at the
court house, and was attended by the
members of the committee and about
80 adherents of the party. The key
note speech was made by former Con-
gresham Mckinney, who blamed the
split in the republican party solely
for the democratic success at the polls
two years ago, and was not inclined
to give the opposition any credit for
the present situation.
Il predict the overthrow of the re-
publican party SO long as the house is
divided against ITSELF" he declared,
"but believe the breach will not con-
tinue long and that a reunited party
will soon again be enjoying victory"
In addition to the speech by Mr.. Nc
Kinney talks were made by Senator
Frank Landee and DR.. w. E. Taylor,
Moline; C.. J. Searle and H. A. ]. Nc
Donald, Rock Island; E. c. Hardin and
and F. E. Pinkerton, Monmouth. A. G. |
Rock Island, acted as chair |
man and E. R. Petrie, Aledo, secre- |
tary
Among those present were w. A. |
Rosenfield, S. w. Searle, c. ]. Searle, |
H. b. Hubbard, H. "A. J. Mcdonald, A. |
G. Anderson, of Rock Island; w. S.
]. M. Pace, w. S. Brown, j. S.
Decker, J. o. Cowan, ]. P. Foster, OF
Macomb; w. ]. Graham, E. r. Petrie,
F. B. Blazer, J. o. Allen, of Mercer
w. P. Martin Of Oquawka;
Henry Terrell of Colchester; A. G.
Carlson, G. w. Johnson, F. A. Landee
and Dr. w. e. Taylor of Moline.