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June 25, 1908

Rocky Mountain News

Published June 25, 2008 at midnight

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Rocky Mountain News cover from June 25, 1908.

Rocky Mountain News cover from June 25, 1908.

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Leading up to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver in August, the Rocky combed its archives to pull out the political news of 100 years ago, when the city hosted its first Democratic National Convention from July 7 to 10, 1908.

Front Page June 25, 1908:

Jane Jefferson Club to be made National organization

The Jane Jefferson Club of Colorado plans to go to the Democratic National Convention in order to secure recognition as a national organization. The women discussed the plan at the Savoy hotel, and also talked about providing entertainment during the Convention.

If the Club does receive recognition as a national organization, the women will have important work to do. First, they intend to expand the club into the other women's suffrage states of Wyoming, Utah and Idaho.

The club will have exclusive use of the Women's Club building on Glenarm during the convention, and will use the venue do give a big western welcome to the delegates and their wives. Democratic women from all over the state will be in Denver to help the Jane Jefferson Club entertain the visitors. Welcoming committee members will include Ruth Bryan Leavitt, Mary C. C. Bradford and B. F. Napier.

There will also be women in the welcoming committee who will entertain delegates when they leave on excursions after the convention has ended.

Chanler for second place, wires Mack

Norman Mack, publisher of the Buffalo Daily Times, presents Lewis Chanler to the Democratic National Committee to be considered for vice president. Chanler is an original New York Knickerbocker whose family came to the state from Amsterdam. The Lieutenant Governor of New York has beaten the Republicans in 1906 and can do it again.

Johnson gives up; managers admit it's Bryan

Campaign managers for Minnesota Gov. John Johnson have admitted that Bryan is the likely candidate for the Democratic nomination. They will not quit outright, however, saying that they will take their case to the convention floor and hope that the expected does not happen.

Page 7: Vice Presidential race is growing warmer

Potential running mates for Bryan are emerging as disputed state delegations are being sorted out. The Brooklyn Democratic delegates have been fighting for their boss, Patrick McCarren, and Tammany Hall, led by Charles Murphy. The delegation that sits at the convention might reveal a VP candidate.

Uniformed boys will meet all delegates and give directions

The Denver Convention League has employed 100 boys who will act as bell hops during the convention. They will carry each delegate's luggage to their hotel and give them helpful directions around town.

Convention seat clamor scares managers

The local committee on arrangements for the convention is uneasy about divvying up around 33,000 session tickets to over 100,000 Denver and Colorado residents who would like to see the convention. And many of the 33,000 tickets will go to friends and family of the delegates, as well as prominent citizens around the country, leaving even fewer tickets for the locals.

Page 9: Denver auditorium complete; could be used at any time

All of the permanent construction and installation has been accomplished in the Denver Auditorium and the building could be used tomorrow. All that needs to be done before the convention is to install the temporary seating and lay the telephone and telegraph wires. "We promised to have the auditorium completed and we have fulfilled the promise," building manager Merriman said.

-- Compiled by Zac Taylor