Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1890 — ILLINOIS DEMOCRACY. [ARTICLE]

ILLINOIS DEMOCRACY.

The State Convention Called to Meet on June 4—A Popular Vote for United States Senator. [Chicago special.j The Illinois Democratic State Committee mot at the Palmer House, Chicago, Thursday, March 6. All but three of the members were present. Francis Hoffmann, Jr., of Chicago, was the orator of the occasion, and he made an extended speech, prophesying Democratic success at the next election. Mr. Hoffmann said it seemed to be the wish of the party that the method of electing a United States Senator be brought as close to the people as possible. It had been suggested that the State convention nominate a candidate for Senator. “And I think,” he said in conclusion “that I voice the wishes and desires of the Democrats of Illinois when I say that the man who should be chosen to hold aloft the party banner in the tight is Governor John M. Palmer.” The mention of Gov. Palmer’s name was greeted with applause, and then Chairman Campbell said he had written to Gen. Palmer on the subject of nominating a candidate for Senator, asking his advice on that question as well as several others of party policy. In response Gov. Palmer had written as follows: I wish it clearly understood that I am in no seuso a candidate for tbe Senate. All I have ever said is that I think the State Convention ought to adopt, as the permanent rule of party action, the nomination of a candidate for the Senate-, and thait, if my view of party policy in that respect is adopted, I would accept the nomination mid lamake- a.canvass, but I would greatly prefer that some other person be nominated. The motive that lea.ts to this suggestion is that I do not desire to be a member of the Senate, and will only consent to be a candidate before tho people in order to*vindicate the princip,e of ejecting a Senator by popular vote as nearly as possible. I wish to be understood as not urging my views upon the party. On the contrary, if there is any considerable opposition to the plan I suggest, I would, for the sake of harmony, advise that it be abandoned. We will carry the Legislature if we make a united, energetic canvass. Ixjt nothing be done that will divide us or dampen the enthusiasm of the partyIt watt decided to hol'd the convention JuneA at Springfield), and then the Senatorial question caime up. A resolution was- passed without deoat© or dissent calling on the various county conventions which will elect delegates to the State Convention to decide at the time of their meeting whether or no- they are in favor of the State Comention nominating a candidate for United States Senator. This decision in tho various county conventions will be in the nature of instructions to the delegates therein chosen, so that when a vote is token on the matter at Springfield, there will be no doubt that the action of that convention will represent the wishes of the Democracy of Illinois in tho matter.