mugwumps


mugwumps

(mŭg`wŭmps'), slang term in U.S. political history for the Republicans who in 1884 deserted their party nominee, James G. BlaineBlaine, James Gillespie,
1830–93, American politician, b. West Brownsville, Pa. Early Career

Blaine taught school and studied law before moving (1854) to Maine, where he became an influential newspaper editor.
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, to vote for the Democratic nominee, Grover ClevelandCleveland, Grover
(Stephen Grover Cleveland), 1837–1908, 22d (1885–89) and 24th (1893–97) President of the United States, b. Caldwell, N.J.; son of a Presbyterian clergyman.
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.

Bibliography

See L. W. Peterson, The Day of the Mugwump (1961).

Mugwumps

Republican party members who voted independently. [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 337]See: Independence