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Nominating Presidential Canditates

Nominating Presidential Canditates image
Parent Issue
Day
31
Month
December
Year
1875
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Tbo Chicago Tribune thinks it ia about time for somebody to suggest a new plan for norninating Presidential candidatos. It miglit be possible, says the Tribune, to improvo upon the present system under which a oandidate ia apt to be strong in proportion to the general ignorance about hün, as shown in the nomination of a Polk and a Pierce. A large convention, like all mobs, is very apt to be carried away by sham sentiment or false enthusiasm. The system is by no means aged. At flrst there were no formal nominations. Persons were voted for by general consent. Thisvas true of Washington and of John Adanis, though in 1797, when the latter was chosen President, some intriguen within his own party, headed by Alesander Hamilton, nearly succeeded in defeating him by diverting elpctoral votes to the nominal candidate of the Foderalists for Viee President, ïhen a system of nomiuation by State Legislaturas carne into play. Jefferson was nominated for a third term by the Legislatnres of three New England States. Bnt this was soon superseded by nominations made by a caueiis of ■ Congressmen. The latter system prevailed in turn tmtü 1824. The caucus of tliat year nominated William H. Crawford of Georgia, one of the forgoiten worthies of our past. Meanwhile, jomination by State Legislatures had jeen resorted in the case of Adams, Jackson and Clay. Orawf ord was beaten iv both of the foxmer, and this vis the end of the Oongressional canons system of nomination. The first regular National Convention - or rathr the flrst two - met in 18-10. Both patties, Whig and Democratie, adopted the custom at the same time.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus