At the 1896 Republican National Convention , Brownlow and Austin helped thwart Evans ' bid for the vice presidential nomination . Outmaneuvering Evans , Brownlow was elected the state 's delegate to the Republican National Committee , where he befriended Mark Hanna , the campaign manager for presidential candidate William McKinley . Brownlow 's relationship with Hanna and McKinley would prove key in helping him obtain and distribute federal patronage during the late 1890s . In 1897 , the newly elected McKinley considered appointing Evans postmaster general , but chose James A. Gary instead , in part due to Brownlow 's opposition to Evans . After Evans was appointed Commissioner of Pensions , Brownlow tried unsuccessfully to have him fired
1896 Republican National Convention
1896 Republican National Convention
Walter P. Brownlow