1888 Democratic National Convention

The 1888 Democratic National Convention was a nominating convention held June 5 to 7, 1888, in the St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall in St. Louis, Missouri. It nominated President Grover Cleveland for reelection and former Senator Allen G. Thurman of Ohio for vice president.

1888 Democratic National Convention
1888 presidential election
Nominees
Cleveland and Thurman
Convention
Date(s)June 5–7, 1888
CitySt. Louis, Missouri
VenueExposition Building
Candidates
Presidential nomineeGrover Cleveland of New York
Vice presidential nomineeAllen G. Thurman of Ohio

St. Louis won the convention after a presentation in February 1888.

Proceedings

Stephen M. White served as temporary chairman and Patrick A. Collins served as the convention's permanent president.[1]

Platform

The Democratic platform largely confined itself to a defense of the Cleveland administration, supporting reduction in the tariff and taxes generally as well as statehood for the western territories.

Presidential nomination

Presidential candidates

President Cleveland was renominated by acclamation. An event few could directly remember, as the last time such a thing happened was 48 years (1840) previous. Presidents Franklin Pierce and Andrew Johnson lost the nomination in 1852 and 1868 respectively, and Presidents James K. Polk and James Buchanan refused to run for a second term.

Vice Presidential nomination

Vice Presidential candidates

Cleveland/Thurman campaign poster
Delegate ticket

After Cleveland was re-nominated, Democrats had to choose a replacement for Thomas A. Hendricks, who had died in office on November 25, 1885. Hendricks had run unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for vice-president in 1876, but had won the office when he ran again with Cleveland in 1884.

Three names were placed in nomination: Allen G. Thurman, Isaac P. Gray, and John C. Black. Former Senator Thurman of Ohio was nominated for vice-president over Indiana Governor Gray, his nearest rival, and John C. Black, who trailed behind. Gray lost the nomination to Thurman primarily because his enemies brought up his actions while a Republican.[2]

Vice Presidential Ballot
1stAcclamation
Allen G. Thurman684822
Isaac P. Gray101
John C. Black36
Blank1


See also

References

  1. Our Presidents and How We Make Them by Alexander K. McClure Ayer Co Pub (February 1988) ISBN 0-8369-5532-3
  2. Jacob Piatt Dunn, George William Harrison Kemper, Indiana and Indianans (p. 724).

Further reading

  • Nevins, Allan. Grover Cleveland: A Study in Courage (1932) online.

Primary sources

  • Chester, Edward W A guide to political platforms (1977) pp 115–120 online
Preceded by
1884
Chicago, Illinois
Democratic National Conventions Succeeded by
1892
Chicago, Illinois
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