1904 Democratic National Convention

Proceedings

Opening session

The 1904 Democratic National Convention was opened at two minutes past noon on July 6 in the Coliseum of the old St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall by James K. Jones, chair of the Democratic National Committee. Following the reading of the official call of the convention and delivery of an opening prayer, John Sharp Williams of Mississippi was named the honorary chairman of the gathering, emblematic of a return to power by the conservative Bourbon wing of the party.

The traditionalist Southerner Williams delivered an opening speech but was hindered by a voice unable to reach all of those assembled in the convention hall, many of whom, according to a contemporary press report, "kept up a constant hum of conversation that smothered Mr. Williams’s voice."

Presidential nomination

After the second straight defeat of Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan in the 1900 presidential election, the conservative allies of former President Grover Cleveland regained power within the party. However, with the popularity of President Theodore Roosevelt, many of the most prominent Democrats, such as Cleveland and former Attorney General Richard Olney, refused to run. Additionally, Maryland Senator Arthur Pue Gorman alienated many in the South by opposing Roosevelt's policies in Panama.

In this atmosphere, in advance of the convention conservative Democrats coalesced around New York Court of Appeals Judge Alton B. Parker, an ally of former New York Governor David B. Hill. Parker hoped to one day sit on the United States Supreme Court, but was convinced to run by Hill, and the Parker campaign was backed by conservative business interests. With the reform wing around Bryan and the ethnic political machine of Tammany Hall unable to agree upon a single alternative candidate, Parker was seen by many contemporary observers as a prohibitive favorite to win the nomination.

Eight names were placed in nomination: Alton B. Parker, William Randolph Hearst, Francis Cockrell, Richard Olney, Edward C. Wall, George Gray, John Sharp Williams, and Nelson A. Miles. Representative Williams thanked the North Dakota delegation for generosity but declined to be a candidate. Over the objections of Bryan, Parker defeated New York Congressman Hearst on the first ballot. In a further defeat for Bryan, the Democrats adopted a conservative platform far different from the policies espoused in 1896 and 1900. However, Bryan would re-take control of the party in the 1908 Democratic National Convention.

Presidential candidates

Image:AltonBParker.png|Chief Judge of New York Court of Appeals Alton B. Parker of New York Image: William Randolph Hearst cph 3a49373 3x4.jpg |Representative William Randolph Hearst of New York Image: Senator Francis Marion Cockrell as a Member of the 55th US Congress.jpeg |Senator Francis Cockrell of Missouri Image:Richard Olney, Bain bw photo portrait, 1913.jpg|Former Secretary of State Richard Olney of Massachusetts Image:EdwardCWall.png|Former State Representative Edward C. Wall of Wisconsin Image:George Gray Senator.jpg|Former Senator George Gray of Delaware Image:Nelson A. Miles by Brands Studios, 1898.jpg|Former General-in-Chief Nelson A. Miles of Massachusetts

Declined

Image:John Sharp Williams.jpg|Representative John Sharp Williams of Mississippi

Image: Unsuccessful 1908.jpg| William Jennings Bryan from Nebraska

Image:StephenGroverCleveland.jpg|Former President Grover Cleveland from New York

File:1904DemocraticPresidentialNomination1stBallotBefore.png| File:1904DemocraticPresidentialNomination1stBallotAfter.png|

Vice presidential nomination

With Democratic prospects in the November election appearing bleak, most prominent politicians expressed no interest in the vice presidential nomination, or declined when asked to consider it. The names of several lesser-known individuals were mentioned, including businessman Marshall Field of Illinois, former Representative John C. Black of Illinois, Representative James R. Williams of Illinois, attorney John W. Kern of Indiana, Edward C. Wall of Wisconsin, David Bost of Wisconsin, Governor Alexander Monroe Dockery of Missouri, and attorney Joseph W. Folk of Missouri.

Four names were placed in nomination: Henry G. Davis, James R. Williams, George Turner, and William A. Harris. Davis, a former U.S. Senator from West Virginia, won the nomination; at 80, he was the oldest major-party candidate ever nominated for national office. Davis received the nomination because party leaders believed that as a millionaire mine owner, railroad magnate, and banker he could be counted on to help finance the campaign. Their hopes were unrealized, as Davis did not contribute substantially to the party coffers.

Vice presidential candidates

Image:HenryGDavis.png|Former Senator Henry G. Davis of West Virginia Image:James R. Williams.jpg|Representative James R. Williams of Illinois Image:George Turner (U.S. politician).jpg|Former Senator George Turner of Washington Image:Senator William A. Harris as a Member of the 55th US Congress.jpeg|Former Senator William A. Harris of Kansas

File:1904DemocraticVicePresidentialNomination1stBallot.png|

Closing and notes

After nominating the ticket of Parker and Davis, the convention adjourned sine die at 1:30 am on Sunday, July 10.

The 1904 Democratic National Convention took place simultaneously with the 1904 World's Fair and the 1904 Summer Olympics.

References

References

1. (July 6, 1904). "Democratic Convention Meets, Makes a Great Demonstration Over the Name of Cleveland, Hears Williams' Speech and Adjourns Until Tomorrow BIG DEMONSTRATION FOR CLEVELAND Mention of His Name Starts Wild Enthusiasm at Democratic Convention Williams Threatened to Quit Speech Before Quiet Could be Restored INTEREST AT HIGH PITCH Dense Crowd Surrounded Convention Hall Early Elaborate Arrangements Made for the Comfort of Delegates and Visitors–Description of the Convention Hall and Decorations.". [[The Lincoln Star]].
2. "Citizen Parker". New York Times.
3. (July 8, 1904). "Bryan Crushed in Test of Strength". New York Times.
4. Richardson, Darcy. (April 2007). "Others: Third Parties During the Populist Period". iUniverse.
5. (July 11, 1904). "JUDGE PARKER AND H. G. DAVIS NOMINATED Chosen By Democrats For President and Vice President. PARKER SPRUNG A SURPRISE In a Telegram New Yorker Refused to Straddle On the Currency Question, and After Vigorous Debate the Convention Sends Him a Message Saying His Attitude Is Acceptable.". Mount Carmel Item.