The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-21


Tobacco-chewing men from the
prairies came from miles around to
support Honest Abe against Will
liam H. Seward, his principal OPP
ponent. They packed building
known as THE Wigwam," standing
elbow-to- elbow as the building had
no chairs for spectators.
A feature Of that convention, the
most historical Of II Republican con
ventions held in Chicago, was
fast one" put over by David Davis,
circuit riding Judge from Bloom
ington. ILL.,, on the supporters OF
Seward.
Admitted Delegates Only
Supporters Of Seward staged q
huge parade and while they. were
marching over wooden sidewalks
and through mud Davis packed the
Wigwam with Illinois and Indiana
farmers. When the Seward parade
ended the building was full and
only accredited delegates among Sc
wards supporters could enter.
Lincoln was nominated on the
third ballot, becoming the first can
didate of the Republican party
which had been organized in 1854
in opposition to further extension of
slavery.
Gen. Ulysses Grant, a national
hero after his Union army had de-
feated the South, was nominated
for the Presidency at the second Re.
publican convention to be held IN
Chicago. It convened on May 20,
1868, and Grant was the unanimous
choice
But far from united were dele
gates to the next Chicago Republi-
can convention in 1880 when dele
gates balloted So times before nom
mating James A. Garfield Of Ohio
over Grant.
First Election Sign
Again in 1884 the Republicans re-
turned to Chicago and saw the first
electric sign ever used in advertising
a political candidate. Its sponsor
was Senator Allis of Iowa but the
sign wasn't enticing enough to pre-
vent the nomination Of James
G. Blaine Of Maine.
Another wrangling session was
held here In 1888 when 10 strong
candidates appeared on the scene
and the convention remained in ses-
sion one week before Benjamin Har-
rison broke a deadlock between him.
self, Blaine and John Sherman and
became the party'S candidate.
fractional strife was apparent
again in 1904 when the regular Wis
conSin delegation led by the then
Gov. Robert M. LaFollette, later to
become famous as Fighting Bob"
was unseated. Theodore Roosevelt,
who had succeeded to the Presideu-
cy after the assassination Of McKin-
ley. was unanimously nominated.
The following two general cleo
ton years brought to Chicago Re-
publican conventions that nominat-
ed and re-nominated william How
ard Taft.
Teddy Led bull Moose
In the 1912 convention many seats
were contested and after long quar-
rels and bitter controversies the
majority Of these went to delegates
pledged to Taft. AS a result the
supporters Of Theodore Roosevelt,
trying to break precedent by seeking
third term, withdrew from the
convention and formed the Progress
sive or Bull Moose" party which
made Roosevelt its candidate. The
result was a split party and the
election Of Democratic Woodrow
Wilson.
-Four years later a determined and
united Republican party met In Chi
cago and nominated Charles Evans
Hughes, then on the U. 8. Supreme
Court bench and four years later.
during which time World War had
ended, the Republicans at Chicago
nominated Warren G. Harding.
The 1920 convention, although
comparatively calm, made history IN
that 1t was the first time women
seconded nominations.
In the depression year Of 1882 the