1884 Republican National Convention

The 1884 Republican National Convention was a presidential nominating convention held at the Exposition Hall in Chicago, Illinois, on June 3–6, 1884.^[1] It resulted in the nomination of former House Speaker James G. Blaine from Maine for President and Senator John A. Logan of Illinois for Vice President. 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.^[1] There were 820 official delegates; 411 votes were needed to win the nomination.^[2] Blaine was the favorite going in, but there was a possibility that President Chester Arthur could build a coalition with smaller candidates such as George F. Edmunds.^[1] There were also rumors that members of the Party would bolt if Blaine won the nomination.^[3] 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.^[4]

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 C. 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.^[1]

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.^[3] The day closed with John B. Henderson being elected permanent chair of the Convention.^[3]

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 would back Edmunds. It was more likely that the second choice of Arthur delegates was Blaine.^[3]

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.^[5] Further speeches seconding the nomination were given by Cushman Kellogg Davis and Thomas C. Platt.^[6]

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.^[6] 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.^[7] To close the night Joseph B. Foraker nominated John Sherman and John Davis Long nominated Edmunds. The delegates adjourned just after midnight.^[2]

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.^[3]

As of 2015, this was the last convention where an incumbent President was refused renomination.

Republican candidates:

• 

  Former Secretary of State, Former Senator, Former House Speaker James G. Blaine of Maine
• 

  President Arthur
• 

  Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont
• 

  Senator John A. Logan of Illinois
  (Withdrew During 4th Ballot)
• 

  Senator John Sherman of Ohio
• 

  Senator Joseph R. Hawley of Connecticut
• 

  Former General of the Army William Tecumseh Sherman of New York
  (Declined to Contest)
• 

  General of the Army Philip Sheridan of New York
  (Declined to Contest)
• 

  Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln of New York
  (Declined to Contest)

See also

• History of the United States Republican Party

References

External links

• Republican Party Platform of 1884
• Official Proceedings of the Republican National Convention Held at Chicago, June 3, 4, 5, and 6, 1884