1908 Republican National Convention

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1908 Republican National Convention
La Follette (WI): 25 (2.55%)
Foraker (OH): 16 (1.63%)
Roosevelt (NY): 3 (0.31%)
Abstaining: 1 (0.10%)
Ballots1
‹ 1904 · 1912 ›

The 1908 Republican National Convention was held in

Chicago, Illinois on June 16 to June 19, 1908. It convened to nominate successors to President Theodore Roosevelt and Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks
.

William H. Taft of Ohio won Roosevelt's endorsement and received the presidential nomination. The convention nominated New York Representative James S. Sherman to be his vice presidential running mate
.

The Platform

The Republican platform celebrated the Roosevelt administration's economic policies such as the keeping of the protective tariff, establishment of a permanent currency system (the

authority to investigate interstate railroads, and reduction of work hours for railroad workers, as well as general reduction in the work week.

In foreign policy, it supported a buildup of the armed forces, protection of American citizens abroad, extension of foreign commerce, vigorous arbitration and the Hague treaties, a revival of the

U.S. Merchant Marine, support of war veterans, self-government for Cuba and the Philippines with citizenship for residents of Puerto Rico
.

In other areas, it advocated court reform, creation of a federal Bureau of Mines and

African-Americans and the civil service, and greater efficiency in national public health
agencies.

The platform lastly expressed pride in U.S. involvement in the building of the

Democratic Party
while celebrating the policies of the Republicans. The platform explained the differences between democracy and republicanism in which the Republicans made clear that democracy was leaning towards socialism and republicanism towards individualism.

Speakers

The 1908 Republican National Convention in session at Chicago Coliseum.

The following individuals spoke at the 1908 Republican National Convention. Many spoke with the goal of nominating a specific nominee as this was before the age of the primary and the nominees were all decided at the convention.

June 16

June 17

June 18

  • Prayer by Rev. Dr. John Wesley Hill
  • George Henry Williams, Former Attorney General
  • Henry Sherman Boutell of Illinois, Lawyer and diplomat
  • Joseph W. Fordney, Congressman of Michigan
  • Frank Hanly, Governor of Indiana
  • Charles A. Bookwalter, Mayor of Indianapolis
  • Stewart L. Woodford, Former Congressman and Judge of New York
  • Theodore E. Burton, Congressman of Ohio
  • George A. Knight, Attorney and Businessman
  • C.B. M'Coy, Ohio Factory Owner
  • W.O. Emory, Young Black Delegate from Macon, Georgia
  • Robert S. Murphy, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
  • James Scarlet, Prominent Attorney from Danville, Pennsylvania
  • Henry F. Cochems, Wisconsin Football Star
  • Charles A.A. McGee, Author of "The Truth About Money" from Wisconsin

June 19

Presidential nomination

Presidential candidates

Prior to the convention, Vice President Charles Fairbanks and New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes both seemed like plausible nominees, but Roosevelt was determined to pick his own successor.[1] Though Roosevelt preferred Secretary of State Elihu Root, Root's age and background in corporate law made him an unpalatable nominee, so Roosevelt instead supported Secretary of War William Howard Taft.[2] Entering the convention, Taft, buoyed by the support of the popular Roosevelt, was virtually assured of the nomination.[3] Taft won the presidential nomination on the first ballot, overcoming Fairbanks and the other favorite son candidates.[4]

Withdrew Before Convention

Declined to Seek Nomination

Presidential Balloting
Candidate 1st Unanimous
Taft 702 980
Knox 68
Hughes 67
Cannon 58
Fairbanks 40
La Follette 25
Foraker 16
Roosevelt 3
Not Voting 1


Presidential Balloting / 3rd Day of Convention (June 18, 1908)

  • 1st Presidential Ballot
    1st Presidential Ballot

Vice Presidential nomination

Vice Presidential candidates

Taft preferred a progressive running mate such as Indiana Senator

Curtis Guild, Jr. received 75 votes, with the remaining votes going to Governor George L. Sheldon of Nebraska and Vice President Charles Fairbanks.[6]

Declined to Seek Nomination

Vice Presidential Balloting
Candidate 1st Unanimous
Sherman 816 980
Murphy 77
Guild 75
Sheldon 10
Fairbanks 1
Not Voting 1


Vice Presidential Balloting / 4th Day of Convention (June 19, 1908)

  • 1st Vice Presidential Ballot
    1st
    Vice Presidential Ballot

See also

References

  1. ^ "Charles Warren Fairbanks, 26th Vice President (1905–1909)". US Senate. US Senate. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "James S. Sherman, 27th Vice President (1909–1912)". US Senate. US Senate. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  3. ^ "Convention on, Taft Controls". New York Times. 17 June 1908. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Taft Named; First Ballot". New York Times. 19 June 1908. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  5. ^ Curtis, Charles. In His Own Words. Kansas State Historical Archives.
  6. ^ a b Tweedy, John (1910). A History of the Republican National Conventions from 1856 to 1908. Republican National Convention. pp. 389–390. Retrieved 8 October 2015.

External links

Preceded by
Chicago, Illinois
Republican National Conventions Succeeded by
Chicago, Illinois