"NO THREAT OR MENACE WHATSOEVER TO PROSPERITY"

DEMOCRATS PLEDGED TO 'SAFE & SANE' PROGRAM TOWARD BUSINESS 

Louisville, Kentucky (JFK+50) On October 21, 1924, The Washington Times reports that the Democratic Party stands pledged today to a 'safe and sane' program toward American business.

This as its standard bearer, John W. Davis*, arrives here in Louisville.

As his train crossed the Tennessee-Kentucky border, Mr. Davis said his program will offer "no threat or menace whatsoever to business prosperity."

*John William Davis (1873-1955) was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia & graduated Washington & Lee University, 1892 & W&L Law School, 1895.  JWD served in US House of Representatives (D-WVA) 1911-1913, as U.S. Solicitor General 1913-1918, U.S. Ambassador to UK 1918-1921.

SOURCE

"Davis Planning Shake Up, Is Reported," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, October 21, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

John William Davis

Underwood & Underwood Photo

Library of Congress

"OUR CANDIDATE NOT A MAN OF MYSTERIOUS SILENCE"

DAVIS HAS BUT ONE MESSAGE FOR AMERICA:  HONEST GOVERNMENT

Columbus, Ohio (JFK+50) On August 26, 1924, in his first address to the people of Ohio, Democratic presidential nominee John W. Davis "had only one message for the American people--that of 'common honesty' in government."

Mr. Davis said he believes that the Democrats can furnish "an honest, candid, and fearless government."

The Democratic nominee was introduced by former Governor James M. Cox.  The governor said to the crowd of several thousand...

"Our candidate is not a man of mysterious silence."

JFK+50 NOTE

Calvin Coolidge, the Republican nominee in 1924, was notoriously a man of few words.  The joke went that once a woman sitting next to the President at a White House dinner talked his ear off the whole evening until finally she confided to Mr. Coolidge, "I bet my friends I could get you to say more than two words."  Silent Cal thought for a brief moment, then said "You lose!"

SOURCE

"Common Honesty Stressed By Davis," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 26, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Gov. James M. Cox

Ohio (1920)

www.wikimedia.org/

"POINT TO HIS INEXPERIENCE IN LARGE AFFAIRS"

DEMS CONCERNED ABOUT CHARLES W. BRYAN'S SELECTION AS VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 20, 1924, The Sunday Star reports that Democrats "are beginning to realize that it is not as promising of winning (the presidency) as it seemed at first...when they were congratulating themselves" on selecting John W. Davis as their nominee.

N.O. Messenger says they now feel "handicapped in the selection of Charles W. Bryan* for second place."  Democrats point out "his inexperience in large affairs" and many believe he was selected to "placate" William Jennings Bryan and to secure his "allegiance" to the 1924 Democratic ticket.

*Charles Wayland Bryan (1867-1945) was born in Salem, Illinois.  His father was a strong Jackson Democrat.  CWB attended University of Chicago & Illinois College & served as mayor of Lincoln, NE & governor of the state.  His brother, Wm Jennings Bryan, was 3 time unsuccessful presidential candidate for the Democratic Party 1896, 1900 & 1908.

SOURCE

"Bryan Handicap to Ticket, Prominent Democrats Fear," by N.O. Messenger, The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., July 20, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Charles W. & William J. Bryan

Bain News Service

Library of Congress

"SUBJECT: CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION PLANS"

DEMOCRATIC PARTY HEADS CONFER IN NEW YORK CITY

New York City (JFK+50) On July 18, 1924, a "long conference" was held between Democratic presidential nominee John W. Davis and "a number of party leaders including Thomas Taggart of Indiana, George E. Brennan of Illinois, Norman E. Davis of New York, and Clem L. Shaver of West Virginia.  

The subject of the conference was campaign organization plans.  Mr. Shaver will serve as campaign manager.

The candidate arrived here in New York City from his Long Island home.  The conference took place at the home of Davis's friend and adviser, Frank L. Polk*.

*Frank Lyon Polk (1871-1943) was born in New York City & graduated Yale 1894, Columbia Law School 1897.  FLP, grandson of CSA general Leonidas Polk^, served as Under Secretary of State, 1919-1920 & Secretary of State, 1920.

^General Polk was a cousin of President James K. Polk 

SOURCE

"Party Heads Talk Plans With Davis," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 18, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Frank Lyon Polk

Library of Congress (1920)

"WILLIAM J. BRYAN'S OPPOSITION SWEPT AWAY"

DEMOCRATS CHOOSE JOHN W. DAVIS ON 103RD BALLOT

New York City (JFK+50) On July 9, 1924, John W. Davis* of West Virginia was nominated for President of the United States by the Democratic national convention meeting here in New York on the 103rd ballot.

William Jennings Bryan's opposition to Mr. Davis "was swept away in the rain of Davis votes, which swept over the convention."

*John William Davis (1873-1955) was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1911-1913, & as Wilson's Solicitor General 1913-1918.  After the election of 1924, JWD  returned to his private law practice.  He died in Charleston, S.C.

SOURCES

"John W. Davis Is Nominated On 103d Ballot," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 9, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Solicitor General:  John W. Davis," Office of Solicitor General, Department of Justice, www.justice.gov/

 

 

John W. Davis

Underwood & Underwood

Library of Congress

"MCADOO'S NOMINATION NOW VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE"

RISING TIDE OF SENTIMENT FOR SMITH & DAVIS 

New York City (JFK+50) On July 1, 1924, N.O. Messenger, staff correspondent of The Evening Star, reports W.G. McAdoo "watched the rising tide of (Alfred E.) Smith and (John W.) Davis sentiment menace his leadership in the balloting of the Democratic convention*."

Messenger writes that this trend away from McAdoo makes it virtually "certain" that his nomination is impossible.

The Star reports the two top candidates polling as follows:

16th ballot McAdoo 478 Smith 315.5  

17th ballot McAdoo 471.5 Smith 312.5

18th ballot McAdoo 470.5 Smith 312.5 

19th ballot McAdoo 474 Smith 310.5

20th ballot McAdoo 432 Smith 307.5 

21st ballot McAdoo 439 Smith 307.5

21st ballot McAdoo 438.5 Smith 307.5

*The 1924 Democratic National Convention met at New York City's Madison Square Garden from June 24 to July 9, 1924.

JFK+50 NOTE

A surge for the nomination of John W. Davis took place between the 87th & 100th ballots.  Davis went from 3rd place 66.5 votes to 2nd place 203.5 votes with Smith leading with 351.5 votes.

On the 103rd, record-setting final ballot, Davis took the nomination with 844 votes, Oscar W. Underwood second with 102.5 votes & far down the list McAdoo 11.5 votes & Smith 7.5 votes.

SOURCE

"M'Adoo Faces Loss In Mounting Tide For John W. Davis," by N.O. Messenger, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 1, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Ticket to 1924 Democratic National Convention

Image by XplomN4 (2020)