Lori Ferber Presidential Collectibles
The 1924 Democratic National Convention was held from June 24 to July 9, 1924, at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was a significant event in American political history, primarily because it marked a split within the Democratic Party over the issue of Prohibition.
The convention was characterized by intense debate and division between the “wet” delegates who opposed Prohibition and wanted to repeal the 18th Amendment, which established Prohibition, and the “dry” delegates who supported Prohibition. This division was reflective of broader social and political tensions within American society at the time.
One of the key figures in the convention was New York Governor Al Smith, who was a prominent “wet” candidate and a vocal critic of Prohibition. Smith’s candidacy highlighted the growing influence of urban, immigrant voters within the Democratic Party.
The convention ultimately resulted in a deadlock between the “wet” and “dry” factions, with neither side able to secure enough votes to win the nomination outright. After numerous rounds of voting, the Democrats nominated John W. Davis, a compromise candidate who was seen as acceptable to both factions. Davis was a former congressman and ambassador to the United Kingdom.
The 1924 Democratic National Convention is also notable for being the longest continuous convention in American political history, lasting a total of 16 days. This extended duration was largely due to the contentious debates over Prohibition and the struggle to reach a consensus on the party’s platform and presidential nominee.
