Political Mementos from Joseph G. Cannon

Sandusky resident Leo Kugel donated two political mementos from Joseph G. Cannon’s unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1908 to the historical collections of the Sandusky Library. At the Republican National Convention in Chicago, Joe Cannon received fifty eight votes for the presidential nomination. Of course, William Howard Taft won the nomination and he went on to win the U.S. presidential election in November. 

Joseph G. Cannon, often known as “Uncle Joe,” was a longtime member of the House of Representatives, serving from 1873-1891, 1893-1913, and 1915 -1923. He was Speaker of the House from 1903 to 1911.

Joe Cannon wielded a great deal of power in the House of Representatives. People all across the U.S. had strong feelings about Mr. Cannon, ranging from admiration to contempt. His image graced the cover of the very first issue of Time Magazine. When he died in November of 1926, the news was featured on the front page of the Sandusky Register.

A brief excerpt from the article read “No other public man of his time was at once so strongly hated politically and so strongly loved personally.”

Political Campaign Buttons

The Sandusky Library owns a collection of political campaign buttons, which are housed in the Archives Research Center and the Follett House Museum. Here is a sample of some of them.

William Jennings Bryan ran unsuccessfully for U.S. President three times. Pictured above is a campaign button from his 1900 run against President William McKinley. 

Amos H. Jackson was elected as Representative to the 58^th U.S. Congress, from March 4, 1903 to March 3, 1905. A.H. Jackson is also known for being the founder of the A.H. Jackson Manufacturing Company, which began in Fremont, Ohio, and had a division in Sandusky in the early 1900s.

     

Jay J. Perry served as Erie County Sheriff from 1898-1902 and from 1917-1920. The campaign button featuring an image of Jay J. Perry is most likely from his first campaign.

   Republican Warren G.  Harding, a former newspaper man from Marion, Ohio, defeated Democratic candidate James M. Cox for U.S. President in 1920.

 

This classic red, white, and blue pin promoted Dwight D. Eisenhower and his vice presidential candidate Richard Nixon. This team ran in both the 1950 and 1956 presidential campaigns. Eisenhower defeated Adlai Stevenson in both elections.