[85] The admission of six new states during Harrison's term, between 1889 and 1890, was anticipated with the declaration: "whenever the conditions of population, material resources...and morality are such as to insure a stable local government," the people "should be permitted...to form for themselves constitutions and State government, and be admitted into the Union."[88] The convention insisted that "The pending bills in the Senate to enable the people of Washington, North Dakota and Montana Territories to...establish State governments, should be passed without unnecessary delay."[88] The convention began with seventeen candidates for the nomination.[87]
Harrison placed fifth on the first ballot, with Senator Sherman in the lead, and the next few ballots showed little change.[90] As the convention moved forward, Harrison became "everyone's second choice in a field of seven candidates."[80] Then, after Sherman "faltered in the balloting,"[80] Harrison gained support. Blaine supporters shifted their support among candidates they found acceptable, and when they shifted to Harrison, they found a candidate who could attract the votes of many other delegations.