Battle of Backbone Mountain

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The 1900 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1900. Though Governor Ebe W. Tunnell was eligible for re-election under the newly adopted 1897 constitution,[1] the state convention ended up nominating Peter J. Ford,[2] a prominent businessman.[3]

On the Republican side, the split from four years earlier threatened to divide the party once again. The Addicks and anti-Addicks Republicans nominated separate candidates for Governor. The anti-Addicks (or "Regular Republicans") nominated attorney Martin B. Burris,[4] while the Addicks (or "Union Republicans") nominated Dr. George W. Marshall.[5] Both factions, however, nominated John Hunn for Lieutenant Governor.[6]

Though initial negotiations between the factions failed to produce a reconciliation,[6] a tentative agreement developed to form a joint ticket, adopting Hunn as a compromise for Governor splitting nominations for statewide offices among the two factions.[7] Ultimately, the parties came to an agreement, and a joint ticket was nominated for the general election.[8]

In the general election, Hunn ended up defeating Ford by a decisive margin, reclaiming the governorship for the Republican Party. Republicans would end up holding onto the office until 1936.

General election

1900 Delaware gubernatorial election[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Hunn 22,421 53.57% +33.18%
Democratic Peter J. Ford 18,802 44.93% +0.72%
Prohibition Richard M. Cooper 574 1.37% -1.07%
Socialist Gustave E. Reinike 54 0.13%
Majority 3,619 8.65% -4.16%
Turnout 41,851 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic

References

  1. ^ "News of the State: Talk in Kent County About Re-nominating Governor Ebe W. Tunnell". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. July 24, 1900. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Peter J. Ford Named for Governor". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 12, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Peter J. Ford Succumbs at Age 75 Yrs". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. June 13, 1933. pp. 1, 28. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. ^ "Republicans Nominate a Ticket". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 22, 1900. pp. 1, 3, 5. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "String to All the Nominations". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 7, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Republicans Fail to Harmonize". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 13, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Union Republicans Reject Dr. Ball". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 19, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "Republican Primaries on October 6". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 22, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  9. ^ 1901 Senate Journal, p. 48-49

Bibliography

  • Delaware Senate Journal, 88th General Assembly, 1st Reg. Sess. (1901).