1900 Democratic National Convention

Presidential nomination

Presidential candidate

File:WilliamJBryan1902.png|Former Representative William J. Bryan of Nebraska

Declined

File:Adm. George Dewey (flipped).jpg|Admiral of the Navy George Dewey of Vermont

Bryan had little opposition for the nomination after Spanish–American War hero Admiral George Dewey dropped out in May after being quoted in newspapers that he thought the President's job would be easy, because the president merely followed the orders of Congress to enforce laws. Bryan's strongest opposition at the convention came from Richard Croker of New York's Tammany Hall. Bryan was also nominated by a branch of the Populist Party.

The 1900 Democratic National Convention was the first time a woman served as a delegate to a major party convention. Elizabeth M. Cohen of Utah served as a delegate. She had been an alternate delegate, and was able to serve as a delegate after one of the members of her state's delegation fell sick. She seconded the nomination of William Jennings Bryan.

The convention marked the first time that a member of royalty attended a U.S. national nominating convention as a delegate. David Kawananakoa, heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Hawaii, represented the newest United States territory. Prince David was to break a tie about inserting a free silver plank into the convention platform. The Democrats included planks in the platform denouncing Republican imperialism and expansion, as had been demonstrated in the Spanish–American War.

Kansas City had the convention thanks to its new Convention Hall, which opened on February 22, 1899. The hall was destroyed in a fire on April 4, 1900, but was rebuilt in 90 days in time for the convention. Harry S. Truman served as a page at the convention.

Source: US President – D Convention. Our Campaigns. (March 10, 2011).

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Vice presidential candidates

At the start of the convention, former Representative Charles A. Towne of Minnesota was considered the favorite for the vice presidential nomination, as both the Populists and the Silver Republican Party backed Towne.

Seven names were placed in nomination: Adlai Stevenson, David B. Hill, Charles A. Towne, Abraham W. Patrick, Julian S. Carr, John W. Smith, and J. Hamilton Lewis. Former Representative Lewis thanked the convention for its generosity but did not wish to be considered for the vice presidency. Governor Smith declined to allow the use of his name, and it was withdrawn before the result was announced. Former Senator Hill was opposed to including a pro-silver plank in the party platform, so he spoke against his own nomination and declared that he would not take it if offered. Former Vice President Stevenson won the nomination with the help of Bryanites who wanted to keep Hill off of the ticket. The choice of Stevenson alienated the Populists and Silver Republicans, who had planned to nominate the Democratic ticket.

Vice presidential candidates

File:Adlai Stevenson I by Saroney c1892-crop.jpg|Former Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson from Illinois File:Towne, Hon. C.A (cropped).jpg|Former Representative Charles A. Towne of Minnesota File:AbrahamWPatrick.png|Former State Senator Abraham W. Patrick of Ohio File:Julian Shakespeare Carr (1845-1924).jpg|Philanthropist Julian S. Carr of North Carolina (Withdrawn)

Declined

File:DavidBennettHill.png|Former Senator David B. Hill of New York File:John Walter Smith, photo portrait head and shoulders.jpg|Governor John W. Smith of Maryland File:Hamilton lewis.jpg|Former Representative J. Hamilton Lewis of Washington File:Edward Murphy Jr.jpg|Former Senator Edward Murphy Jr. of New York

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References

• Official Report of the Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention, Held in Kansas City, Missouri, July 4th, 5th, and 6th, 1900

References

1. "Convention Diary: NRO Total Convention".
2. "Smithsonian: Conventional Facts".
3. (1900). "Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention (1900)". McLellan Printing Co.
4. Freeman, Jo. (2000). "A Room at a Time: How Women Entered Party Politics". Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
5. "Milestones for Women in American Politics". Center for American Women and Politics (Rutgers University).
6. (4 July 1900). "WJ Bryan to be Nominated Today". New York Times.
7. (June 28, 1900). "Murphy Not a Candidate". [[Buffalo Courier-Express.
8. (7 July 1900). "Adlai E. Stevenson for Vice President". New York Times.