The 1900 Democratic National Convention met in Kansas City , Missouri , the westernmost location that either major party had ever held a national convention . Some Democratic leaders opposed to Bryan had hoped to nominate Admiral George Dewey for president , but Bryan faced no significant opposition by the time of the convention and he won his party 's nomination unanimously . Bryan did not attend the convention , but he exercised control of the convention 's proceedings via telegraph . Bryan faced a decision regarding what issue his campaign would focus on . Many of his most fervent supporters wanted Bryan to continue his crusade for free silver , while Democrats from the Northeast advised Bryan to center his campaign on the growing power of trusts . Bryan , however , decided that his campaign would focus on anti-imperialism , partly as a way to unite the factions of the party and win over some Republicans . The party platform contained planks supporting free silver and opposing the power of trusts , but imperialism was labeled as the " paramount issue " of the campaign . The party nominated former Vice President Adlai Stevenson to serve as Bryan 's running mate
1900 Democratic National Convention
1900 Democratic National Convention
William Jennings Bryan