A Republican in politics , in 1865 , Nichols became Vermont 's Secretary of State ; he held the position until 1884 . In 1870 , he was president of the state constitutional convention that changed terms for Vermont 's state offices from one year to two . Republicans won every statewide election for more than 100 years beginning with the party 's founding in the mid-1850s ; in addition to serving as the state party 's secretary , Nichols ran its statewide campaigns in 1872 , 1876 and 1880 . He also served as Vermont 's member of the Republican National Committee , and was a delegate to the 1872 Republican National Convention
1872 Republican National Convention
1872 Republican National Convention
George Nichols (American politician)