| Year: | 1912 |
| Party: | Socialist |
| Image Size2: | 125 |
| Date: | May 12–18, 1912 |
| Venue: | Tomlinson Hall |
| City: | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Presidential Nominee: | Eugene Debs |
| Presidential Nominee State: | Indianapolis |
| Vice Presidential Nominee: | Emil Seidel |
| Vice Presidential Nominee State: | Wisconsin |
| Previous Year: | 1908 |
| Next Year: | 1916 |
The 1912 Convention of the Socialist Party of America was held in Tomlinson Hall in Indianapolis from May 12 to May 18, 1912.
The convention was held at the Tomlinson Hall in Indianapolis from May 12 to May 18, 1912.
The convention was called to order by party national secretary John M. Work and roll was called by delegate Gustave Strebel.[1] Party co-founder Morris Hillquit of New York served as chairman.
The Party leadership constructed an agenda to address pressing issues relevant to the Party's political orientation such as nominating presidential candidates to run. The leadership also sought input on topics of using direct action instead of only participating in electoral politics. The topic of direct action surfaced as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) led a recent strike known as the Lawrence Strike.[2]
Balloting for the party's nominee for the presidential ticket took place on May 17, 1912. The widely understood candidate was the party's previous nominee of 2 times, Eugene Debs. Debs was not present at the time of ballot casting as was tradition at the time. In his absence, questions emerged regarding his physical wellness and whether or not he would even accept the nomination. Delegates were assured that Debs was in fine health and that he would accept the nomination.
The other candidates for the nomination, Seidel and Slayton, each received around one sixth of total ballots cast. As Debs assumed a majority of ballots cast, both men released their delegates to make the nomination unanimous. Following his nomination, a dispatch was sent to notify Debs of his nomination. Debs sent a telegram the next day notifying the convention of his acceptance.
| Presidential Balloting | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | 1st | Unanimous | |
| Debs | 165 | 287 | |
| Seidel | 56 | ||
| Russell | 54 | ||
| Blank | 12 | ||
Russell was nominated, though withdrew his name from consideration due to reasons that he preferred not to state. Both Hogan and Slayton had not planned on campaigning for the nomination thus released their delegates to make Seidel's nomination unanimous. At this point, Seidel and Debs had yet to meet. Debs and Seidel would go on to achieve the most successful performance of a socialist ticket on the national stage in United States history.
| Presidential Balloting | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | 1st | Unanimous | |
| Seidel | 159 | 287 | |
| Hogan | 73 | ||
| Slayton | 24 | ||
| Blank | 31 | ||