1884 Republican National Convention
Encyclopedia
The 1884 Republican National Convention was a presidential nominating convention held at the Exposition Hall in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3–6, 1884. It resulted in the nomination of James G. Blaine
and John A. Logan
for President and Vice President of the United States. The ticket lost in the election of 1884
to Democrats Grover Cleveland
and Thomas A. Hendricks
.
In attendance were 1600 delegates and alternates and 6000 spectators. There were 820 official delegates; 411 votes were needed to win the nomination. Blaine was the favorite going in, but there was a possibility that incumbent Chester Arthur could build a coalition with smaller candidate such as George F. Edmunds
. There were also rumors that members of the Party would bolt if Blaine won the nomination. Neither Blaine nor Arthur were in attendance. Blaine was at his home in Augusta, Maine
, and Arthur followed the events from the White House
by telegraphy
.
To test the waters Blaine supporters nominated Powell Clayton
as temporary chair of the Convention. A former Arthur supporter, Clayton was now in Blaine’s camp. He was popular with veterans, but was also associated with the Star Route Frauds. Edmunds supporters, led by Henry Cabot Lodge
moved to nominate John R. Lynch
instead, an African-American from Mississippi. The speech supporting Lynch was given by Theodore Roosevelt
. Lynch won the vote 424 to 384, and Blaine’s nomination seemed for the first time vulnerable.
Blaine’s future seemed more vulnerable the next day when, to address the rumors of Party members bolting, his supporters made a motion to remove seats of delegates who failed to pledge support of the eventual nominee. The motion failed, again by the fortitude of Edmunds’ supporters. The day closed with John B. Henderson
being elected permanent chair of the Convention.
That evening leaders of Arthur’s and Edmunds’ camps met in private in the Grand Pacific Hotel
and tried to create a viable coalition. Arthur’s team could not guarantee that his supporters Edmunds. It was more likely that the second choice of Arthur delegates was Blaine.
The roll call of the States began the next evening. When Maine, Blaine’s state, was called, the cheering lasted ten minutes, during which time William H. West
came to the platform and gave a rabble-rousing speech to second the nomination. After West’s speech, pandemonium continued in the building, much to West’s chagrin. Further speeches seconding the nomination were given by Cushman Kellogg Davis and Thomas C. Platt
.
When the roll call reached New York, it was Arthur’s turn to be nominated. Martin I. Townsend
’s speech was lackluster at best and poorly prepared, Townsend having been selected for the responsibility only after the roll call began. His speech was occasionally drowned out by hisses and eruptions of side conversations. The nomination was seconded by Harry H. Bingham, John R. Lynch
and Patrick H. Winston. Bingham’s speech was strong, Lynch’s brief, and Winston’s irritating. Although it was already 11 PM, a motion to adjourn failed. Another speech for Arthur was given by P. B. S. Pinchback
, but like the others, it did not sway any support. To close the night Joseph B. Foraker
nominated John Sherman
and John Davis Long
nominated Edmunds. The delegates adjourned just after midnight.
The next morning, June 6, the balloting began. On the first ballot Blaine received 344½, Arthur 278, Edmunds 93, Logan 63½, Sherman 30, with Joseph Roswell Hawley
, Robert Todd Lincoln
and William Tecumseh Sherman
receiving parts of the remainder. Arthur received only a third of his votes from the North, none from Ohio, 1 of 44 from Illinois, 9 of 30 from Indiana, 11 of 60 from Pennsylvania and only 31 of 71 from his home state of New York. It was expected that Logan’s delegates would shift to Blaine. On the second ballot, Blaine received 375 (gaining delegates from Edmunds), Arthur 274. On the fourth ballot, Blaine received 541, Arthur 207 and Edmunds 41. Blaine received 130 more than the majority needed, grabbing 67 from Arthur’s camp and 28 from Edmunds’. That evening Logan was selected to be Blaine’s running mate.
James G. Blaine
James Gillespie Blaine was a U.S. Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine, two-time Secretary of State...
and John A. Logan
John A. Logan
John Alexander Logan was an American soldier and political leader. He served in the Mexican-American War and was a general in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He served the state of Illinois as a state senator, congressman and senator and was an unsuccessful candidate for Vice President...
for President and Vice President of the United States. The ticket lost in the election of 1884
United States presidential election, 1884
The United States presidential election of 1884 saw the first election of a Democrat as President of the United States since the election of 1856. New York Governor Grover Cleveland narrowly defeated Republican former United States Senator James G. Blaine of Maine to break the longest losing streak...
to Democrats Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
and Thomas A. Hendricks
Thomas A. Hendricks
Thomas Andrews Hendricks was an American politician who served as a Representative and a Senator from Indiana, the 16th Governor of Indiana , and the 21st Vice President of the United States...
.
In attendance were 1600 delegates and alternates and 6000 spectators. There were 820 official delegates; 411 votes were needed to win the nomination. Blaine was the favorite going in, but there was a possibility that incumbent Chester Arthur could build a coalition with smaller candidate such as George F. Edmunds
George F. Edmunds
George Franklin Edmunds was a Republican U.S. Senator from Vermont from 1866 to 1891.Born in Richmond, Vermont, Edmunds attended common schools and was privately tutored as a child. After being admitted to the bar in 1849, he started a law practice in Burlington, Vermont...
. There were also rumors that members of the Party would bolt if Blaine won the nomination. Neither Blaine nor Arthur were in attendance. Blaine was at his home in Augusta, Maine
Augusta, Maine
Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
, and Arthur followed the events from the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
by telegraphy
Telegraphy
Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages via some form of signalling technology. Telegraphy requires messages to be converted to a code which is known to both sender and receiver...
.
To test the waters Blaine supporters nominated Powell Clayton
Powell Clayton
Powell Clayton was an engineer, a Union Army general in the American Civil War, the first Reconstruction Governor of the State of Arkansas, and Ambassador to Mexico during the administrations of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.-Early life:Clayton was born in Bethel, Pennsylvania, to John...
as temporary chair of the Convention. A former Arthur supporter, Clayton was now in Blaine’s camp. He was popular with veterans, but was also associated with the Star Route Frauds. Edmunds supporters, led by Henry Cabot Lodge
Henry Cabot Lodge
Henry Cabot "Slim" Lodge was an American Republican Senator and historian from Massachusetts. He had the role of Senate Majority leader. He is best known for his positions on Meek policy, especially his battle with President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 over the Treaty of Versailles...
moved to nominate John R. Lynch
John R. Lynch
John Roy Lynch was the first African-American Speaker of the House in Mississippi. He was also one of the first African-Americans elected to the U.S House of Representatives during Reconstruction, the period in United States history after the Civil War.-Biography:Lynch was born a slave near...
instead, an African-American from Mississippi. The speech supporting Lynch was given by Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
. Lynch won the vote 424 to 384, and Blaine’s nomination seemed for the first time vulnerable.
Blaine’s future seemed more vulnerable the next day when, to address the rumors of Party members bolting, his supporters made a motion to remove seats of delegates who failed to pledge support of the eventual nominee. The motion failed, again by the fortitude of Edmunds’ supporters. The day closed with John B. Henderson
John B. Henderson
John Brooks Henderson was a United States Senator from Missouri and a co-author of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution....
being elected permanent chair of the Convention.
That evening leaders of Arthur’s and Edmunds’ camps met in private in the Grand Pacific Hotel
Grand Pacific Hotel (Chicago)
The Grand Pacific Hotel was one of the first two prominent hotels built in Chicago, Illinois after the Great Chicago Fire. The hotel, designed by William W...
and tried to create a viable coalition. Arthur’s team could not guarantee that his supporters Edmunds. It was more likely that the second choice of Arthur delegates was Blaine.
The roll call of the States began the next evening. When Maine, Blaine’s state, was called, the cheering lasted ten minutes, during which time William H. West
William H. West
William H. West was a Republican Party politician in the U.S. state of Ohio who served as Ohio Attorney General from 1866 to 1868, and a member of the Ohio Supreme Court from February 1872 to 1873. His failing eyesight and powerful oration led to the title Blind Man Eloquent.-Biography:William H...
came to the platform and gave a rabble-rousing speech to second the nomination. After West’s speech, pandemonium continued in the building, much to West’s chagrin. Further speeches seconding the nomination were given by Cushman Kellogg Davis and Thomas C. Platt
Thomas C. Platt
Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century...
.
When the roll call reached New York, it was Arthur’s turn to be nominated. Martin I. Townsend
Martin I. Townsend
Martin Ingham Townsend was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:...
’s speech was lackluster at best and poorly prepared, Townsend having been selected for the responsibility only after the roll call began. His speech was occasionally drowned out by hisses and eruptions of side conversations. The nomination was seconded by Harry H. Bingham, John R. Lynch
John R. Lynch
John Roy Lynch was the first African-American Speaker of the House in Mississippi. He was also one of the first African-Americans elected to the U.S House of Representatives during Reconstruction, the period in United States history after the Civil War.-Biography:Lynch was born a slave near...
and Patrick H. Winston. Bingham’s speech was strong, Lynch’s brief, and Winston’s irritating. Although it was already 11 PM, a motion to adjourn failed. Another speech for Arthur was given by P. B. S. Pinchback
P. B. S. Pinchback
Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback was the first non-white and first person of African American descent to become governor of a U.S. state...
, but like the others, it did not sway any support. To close the night Joseph B. Foraker
Joseph B. Foraker
Joseph Benson Foraker was a Republican politician from Ohio. He served as the 37th Governor of Ohio from 1886 to 1890.-Early life:...
nominated John Sherman
John Sherman (politician)
John Sherman, nicknamed "The Ohio Icicle" , was a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Ohio during the Civil War and into the late nineteenth century. He served as both Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State and was the principal author of the Sherman Antitrust Act...
and John Davis Long
John Davis Long
John Davis Long was a U.S. political figure. He served as the 32nd Governor of Massachusetts between 1880 and 1883. He later served as the Secretary of the Navy from 1897 to 1902....
nominated Edmunds. The delegates adjourned just after midnight.
The next morning, June 6, the balloting began. On the first ballot Blaine received 344½, Arthur 278, Edmunds 93, Logan 63½, Sherman 30, with Joseph Roswell Hawley
Joseph Roswell Hawley
Joseph Roswell Hawley was the 42nd Governor of Connecticut, a U.S. politician in the Republican and Free Soil parties, a Civil War general, and a journalist and newspaper editor. He served two terms in the United States House of Representatives and was a four-term U.S...
, Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln
Robert Todd Lincoln was an American lawyer and Secretary of War, and the first son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln...
and William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
receiving parts of the remainder. Arthur received only a third of his votes from the North, none from Ohio, 1 of 44 from Illinois, 9 of 30 from Indiana, 11 of 60 from Pennsylvania and only 31 of 71 from his home state of New York. It was expected that Logan’s delegates would shift to Blaine. On the second ballot, Blaine received 375 (gaining delegates from Edmunds), Arthur 274. On the fourth ballot, Blaine received 541, Arthur 207 and Edmunds 41. Blaine received 130 more than the majority needed, grabbing 67 from Arthur’s camp and 28 from Edmunds’. That evening Logan was selected to be Blaine’s running mate.