As a Republican in a heavily Democratic state , Bradley found little success early in his political career . He was defeated for a seat in the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate twice each . After rising to national prominence with his speech seconding the presidential nomination of Ulysses S. Grant at the 1880 Republican National Convention , he was nominated for governor in 1887 . Although he lost the contest to Simon Bolivar Buckner , he reduced the usual Democratic majority substantially . He was again nominated for governor in 1895 . Capitalizing on divisions in the Democratic Party over the issue of free silver , he defeated Parker Watkins Hardin in the general election . His term was marked by political struggles and violence . He was an advocate for blacks and did much to advance their status in the state , but was unable to enact much of his reform agenda because of a hostile Democratic majority in the state legislature
1880 Republican National Convention
1880 Republican National Convention
William O'Connell Bradley