In 1884, as a twenty-six-year-old, Dolliver received national attention for his skills as an orator, when campaigning around the nation on behalf of the Republican presidential candidate James G. Blaine.[2] A famous political quotation is attributed to Dolliver. Referring to his adopted state's traditional allegiance with the Republican Party, Dolliver (son of a Methodist minister) said, "Iowa will go Democratic when Hell goes Methodist."[1]
In the 1908 presidential election, Dolliver's name was again touted as a potential vice-presidential candidate, this time on the ticket with William Howard Taft.[7] As the convention approached Dolliver indicated that he preferred to remain in the Senate.[8] In response to further pressure (and suggestions of support from the Roosevelt White House), he softened his position by indicating that he would not refuse the position if offered it.[9] However, the Convention instead chose James S. Sherman.
During Dolliver's service in the Senate, Iowa Republicans were divided between a conservative old guard that had dominated state politics since the Civil War, and a new progressive wing led by Albert B. Cummins, a lawyer and (after 1902) Governor of Iowa. The flash point for this division was Cummins' effort in 1908 to join Dolliver in the Senate by challenging legendary Senator William B. Allison in the Republican primary. Dolliver had a national reputation as a progressive.[7] However, he supported Allison,[10] who ultimately prevailed in the primary but died shortly thereafter, and was succeeded by Cummins. Dolliver soon reconciled with Cummins,[11] and became increasingly aligned with Cummins in his party's progressive wing.
Death and legacy
Dolliver died in office on October 15, 1910.[12] He was interred in Oakland Cemetery in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
^ abThomas Richard Ross, Jonathan Prentiss Dolliver: A Study in Political Integrity and Independence (State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 1958)