The 1908 Democratic National Convention took place from July 7 to July 10, 1908, at Denver Auditorium Arena in Denver, Colorado.
The event is widely considered a significant part of Denver's political and social history.
The convention The 1908 convention was the first convention of a major political party in a Western state. The city did not host another nominating convention until a century later, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
The convention was the second Democratic National Convention to include female delegates. They were Mary C. C. Bradford (Colorado) and Elizabeth Pugsley Hayward (Mrs. Henry J. Hayward) (Utah). Alternate delegates were Mrs. Charles Cook (Colorado), Harriet G. Hood (Wyoming), and Sara L. Ventress (Utah).America Comes Alive: A First For Women (1908)
Presidential nomination
Presidential candidates
Not nominated
Three names were placed in nomination: William Jennings Bryan, John A. Johnson, and George Gray. Bryan was unanimously declared the candidate for president after handily winning the first ballot's roll call.
Presidential ballot1st UnanimousWilliam Jennings Bryan 888.5 1002George Gray 59.5John A. Johnson 46Blank 8
Vice presidential nomination
Candidates John W. KernCharles A. TowneArchibald McNeilClark HowellJohn MitchellFormer State Senatorfrom Indiana(1893–1897)Former U.S. Representativefor New York's 14th District(1905–1907)Coal Merchantfrom ConnecticutFormer State Senatorfrom Georgia(1901–1905)5th President of the UMWfrom Illinois(1898–1907): Before 1st Ballot: Before 1st Ballot: Before 1st BallotJerry B. SullivanDavid R. FrancisGeorge GrayWilliam G. ConradAttorney at Lawfrom Iowa20th U.S. Secretary of the Interiorfrom Missouri(1896–1897)Federal Appeals Judgefrom Delaware(1899–1914)Banker and Businessmanfrom Montana
Speculated candidates
Lewis S. ChanlerJohn B. StanchfieldJohn A. JohnsonJudson HarmonWilliam H. BerryMorgan J. O'BrienHerman A. Metz46th Lieutenant Governorof New York(1907–1908)Attorney at Lawfrom New York16th Governor of Minnesota(1905–1909)41st U.S. Attorney Generalfrom Ohio(1895–1897)State Treasurerof Pennsylvania(1907–1908)Justice of the FirstJudicial Departmentfrom New York(1896–1906)New York City Comptrollerfrom New York(1906–1909)Francis B. HarrisonWilliam L. DouglasMartin W. LittletonOllie Murray JamesWilliam J. GaynorHerman RidderJoseph W. FolkU.S. Representativefor New York's 16th District(1907–1913)42nd Governor of Massachusetts(1905–1906)Former Borough Presidentof Brooklynfrom New York(1904–1905)U.S. Representativefor Kentucky's 1st District(1903–1913)Justice of the SecondJudicial Departmentfrom New York(1905–1909)President and Editor ofthe New Yorker Staats-Zeitungfrom New York(1907–1915)31st Governor of Missouri(1905–1909)
John W. Kern of Indiana was unanimously declared the candidate for vice-president without a formal ballot after the names of Charles A. Towne, Archibald McNeil, and Clark Howell were withdrawn from consideration.
Vice presidential ballotUnanimousJohn W. Kern 1002
See also History of the Democratic Party (United States) 1908 Republican National Convention 1908 United States presidential election
References
External links Official report of the proceedings of the Democratic national convention, held in Denver, Colorado, July 7, 8, 9 and 10, 1908 Democratic Party Platform of 1908 at The American Presidency Project