 The 1896 Republican National Convention convened at the Wigwam , a temporary structure in St. Louis , on June 16 . With most credentials battles settled in McKinley 's favor , the roll of delegates drawn up by the RNC heavily favored the Ohioan , though Reed , Allison , Morton and Quay remained in the race . The credentials report served as a test vote , which the McKinley forces won easily . Hanna , who was a delegate from Ohio , was in full control of the convention . 
