1852-1926
Judge, Presidential Candidate

Candidacy.

Alton Parker's nomination for president in 1904 shows how the political process worked. Party nominees were chosen by party leaders. Candidates generally would not seek office by asking voters for support. Instead, a candidate or his political allies would make connections with party bosses in different states to secure their support. In Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Oregon insurgents were trying to break the control of party bosses by having primary elections to nominate candidates for state office; but for president the choice would still be made in party caucuses, which were easily manipulated by the bosses. Among the Democrats there was great fear as the election of 1904 loomed. The party was divided into two wings: its last president, Grover Cleveland, represented the probusiness, conservative party. Its most recent presidential nominee, William Jennings Bryan, who had twice lost the election to William...