In Honor of Political Conventions

August 26, 2008

I found this really cool article in  Mental Floss’ special election issue (Mental Floss is a magazine that specializes in trivial knowledge. It is well written, informative and also has an humorous side.) The title of this issue is “The Wildest Rides to the White House.” One of the articles talks about some of the most contentious conventions ever.  

The article deals with politics, prohibtion and grown men acting like 4 year olds. The intention of this post is not to besmirch modern religions, Democrats or 4 year olds. It just demonstrates that the Good Old Days weren’t always so good. So in honor of the Democratic National Convention this week and the 75th anniversary of repeal of the 18th amendment I bring you…

“The Convention Turned Klanbake” by Brendan Speigel

“For Americans accustomed to today’s tame scripted political conventions, the 1924 Democratic Convention went down more like a taping of The Jerry Springer Show. On one side was New York Governor Al Smith, supported by urban Catholic voters who favored his efforts to repeal prohibition. On the other side was former Treasury Secretary William McAdoo, who drew the rural, Protestant, anti-alcohol supporters-a contingent that included the Ku Klux Klan. A powerful political force at the time, the Klan had vowed to defeat the Catholic Smith. As politicians on both sides made speeches on the convention floor, hooded Klansmen standing outside burned a cross and defaced effigies of Smith. When a group of outraged delegates motioned to officially condemn the Klan for their actions, the convention plunged into chaos, with pro-and anti Klan delegates shouting each other off the podium and breaking into noisy parades. Eventually, police had to be called in to restore order. the Klan measure failed by just one vote, but that was only a prelude to the nomination fight. The delegates voted a record 103 times, with neither Smith nor McAdoo able to secure a majority. After 16 turbulent days, both candidates agreed to step aside, and the party settled on another nominee-former Solicitor General John Davis.”

Posted in Beer History, Beer and Politics