Editing Garret Hobart (section)

=== Campaign ===
{{For|a fuller explanation of the currency question in 1896|Cross of Gold speech#Background}}
[[File:Pioneer Cleveland.jpg|thumb|"Pioneer Cleveland", a ''[[Puck (magazine)|Puck]]'' magazine cartoon showing Republicans following the path of the gold standard, which President [[Grover Cleveland]] (right) has blazed. Hobart (in a black coat just left of center) is wearing a campaign ribbon with his name on it, and walks between McKinley and former president [[Benjamin Harrison]] (with gray hat).]]
The [[Panic of 1893]] had led to hard times in the United States, and the effects were still felt in 1896. One proposal to cure the economic malaise was "[[Free Silver]]"; that the government would accept silver bullion and return it to the depositor, struck into [[Morgan dollar|silver dollars]]. At the time, the silver in a dollar coin was worth $.53. Implementation of the proposals would increase the money supply and cause difficulties in international trade with nations that remained on the [[gold standard]]. Proponents argued that the increased money supply would stimulate the economy. President [[Grover Cleveland]] was firmly for the gold standard, a stance which bitterly divided the Democratic Party. Most Republicans were for the gold standard, though some, mostly from the West, were "Silver Republicans".{{sfn|Williams|pp=35–39}} The Democrats in early July nominated for president an eloquent silver supporter, former [[Nebraska]] congressman [[William Jennings Bryan]], whose [[Cross of Gold speech]] at the convention catapulted him to the nomination.{{sfn|Rhodes|pp=13–16}} The selection of Bryan prompted a wave of popular support for the Democrats.{{sfn|Horner|pp=179–181}}

Hobart was a strong supporter of the gold standard; and insisted on it remaining a major part of the Republican campaign even in the face of Bryan's surge. In his speech responding to the formal notification of his convention victory, Hobart stated, "An honest dollar, worth 100 cents everywhere, cannot be coined out of 53 cents worth of silver plus a legislative fiat. Such a debasement of our currency would inevitably produce incalculable loss, appalling disaster, and National dishonor."{{sfn|Connolly|p=27}} McKinley was not as strong a supporter of the gold standard as Hobart and considered modifying some of Hobart's expressed views on the gold standard before the acceptance was printed for public distribution. Hobart insisted on it being printed without change, writing, "I think I know the sentiment of Eastern men better than you can, and with this knowledge and my convictions I must retain the statements as I have written them."{{sfn|Magie|p=104}} According to Connolly, "Though a protectionist, Hobart believed the money issue, not tariffs, led to a November Republican victory, and, in denouncing silver, his rhetoric far outstripped [that of] William McKinley."{{sfn|Connolly|p=27}}

Together with Pennsylvania Senator [[Matthew Quay]], Hobart ran the McKinley campaign's New York City office, often making the short journey from [[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]] for strategy meetings. The vice-presidential candidate emulated McKinley in giving speeches [[front porch campaign|from his front porch]]; unlike McKinley he also addressed rallies. In October, he made a short tour of New Jersey to campaign, expressing relief to his wife when it came to a close. On November 3, 1896, the voters cast their ballots in most states; a nervous Hobart spent the day at his office. Special telegraph wires had been attached to his home; at 8:30 in the evening, they conveyed the news to him that McKinley and Hobart had won. The Republican ticket won New Jersey, together with the entire Northeast. The following week, Vice President-elect Hobart attended Rutgers' 130th-anniversary celebrations as guest of honor. The member of the Class of 1863 was now Rutgers' most prominent graduate.{{sfn|Connolly|p=27}}