The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-18

reported for the consideration of the convention the fol-
lowing address; which having been read by him. was
unanimously adopted:
ADDRESS,
TO The Democratic Republican Electors Of the STATE Of
Fellow CITIZENS This convention, composed of dele
gates chosen from the several Assembly districts OF the
State called together in pursuance OF the uniform usage
of the democratic party having discharged the duty
signed TO them by YOU deem appropriate to accompany
a report of their proceedings with simple and candid
questions which agate the country and of the con
don and prospects OF the republican party OF the State
and nation.
democratic members OF the Senate and Assembly Tor the
purpose Of determining how delegates should be selected
to represent the democracy OF this State in the
uona convention to nominate candidates be supported
by the democracy of the Union for the offices OF Pres
dent and Vice Presidents and power was given to this
convention in it determined that such delegates
should be chosen by State convention, choose such
delegates. The authority under which we acting u.s.
then, which you will readily recognise your leg
mate and time honored agency.
No regular democratic delegated State convention ever
assembled IN this State under any other authority FoF
TO the year 1896, democratic nominations for the State al
large were made by Legislative caucuses; IN these, the
counties in which the democrats in minority were
unremesented, and improper influences were often
brought to bear to control selections made py nose VINO
thus mingled legislative schemes with party NOMINATIONS
and whose long absence from their constituents had
posed them the danger OF forgetting or mlsepe senng
their wishes To obviate these difficulties and the
same time to secure the operation of democratic mem
hers of the legislature who chosen by their friends
their representatives. by reason OF their integrity and
ability and who acted under the responsibility OF Off
ca position thus acquired, it was deemed wise, with the
general OF the party that State nominations
State conventions, composed of delegates from every
county the State; but that such conventions should be
called by the democratic members OF the Legislature In
pursuance OF this determinations nominations were first
made in 1876, by State convention convened in this
with the universal of the party and the
usage then established has been adhered to unvayngy
IN fho .I,r
every State officer, and every presidential elector whom
you have supported 1926, except the electors
CHOSEN oE alslrics IN iS was put IN nomination IN this
this State, prior to the election of 1924, chosen
by the legislature; they were subsequently chosen by
the people congressional districts; single election
however, Chat OF 1881 served TO show how entirely the
power OF New York in presidential contest might be
Frustrated by this mode OF choosing presidential electors
Underlt Andrew Jackson obtained twenty electoral votes
and John Quincy Adams sixteen-he effective power Of
the State thus amounting to four voes and only equal
ling that of Rhode Island.
In 1922 the system was therefore abandoned and the
system OF choosing presidential electors by general ticket
adopted almost unanimously By the Legislature. 1t is
parties that they united in this measure and suffered no
hope of petty temporary advantage to stand in the way
OF their noble determination t9 preserve unbroken the
chosen by districts they nominated by district
conventions but since they have been chosen by the
State at large, they have uniformly been nominated by
State convention and by the State convention which
nominated the democratic candidates for governor and
lieutenant governor to be supported at the election
The delegates to the national nominating convention,
however, have always been selected by State conven-
ton called BY the democratic members of the Legislature
Tor The single and express purpose with two exceptions
to which we shall allude OF choosing such delegates.
Prior to 1892, the democratic candidates Tor the office
Of President and Vice President were selected by con-
purpose assembled in 1882. 1t nominated Andrew Jack
for President and Martin Van Buren, for Vice Pres-
dent 1t consisted of delegates chosen by the democracy
OF each Sa,c in conformity to its ownusases, who gave
IN the convention vote equal in number TO the electoral
vote of each State Some States-Virgina for instance
sent one hundred or more delegates to give twenty
four votes; the like was true of Others. New York,
however sent number OF delegates corresponding with
the number of her electoral votes These delegates
called by the democratic members of the Senate and AS
semby. The mole of selecting these delegates then
tablshed, has been pursued uninerruptedy till now
Martin Van Buren, thus nominated tor President in
1885, and again in ls40, and James X Polk in 1874 So
firmly this mode of calling State conventions estab
lshed as early 1882 that the Aibdny Argus, news
paper OF position and influence at that time in the repub
lcan party, in audng TO the adjourned OF the
republican members OF the Legislature. held the 10Th
April 1882, by which State convention at Herkmer
had been called and the democratic address and resou
lullons adopted, SAID: tt+
The customary recommendation of State convention
for the Of ths republican candidates for COVER
and lieutenant governor and electors of President
Vice President is in accordance AN ESTABLISHED
AND sALurARY USAGE, and will receive the universal and
cordial acquiescence of all the friends of the ma
tiona and State administrations As the deliberations of
the He kimer convention, from the various candidates
high and responsible stations which will be required
the SURFACES the electors viii regarded
with great interest," so attempts 10 oresa the
ngs, by partial movements to Interrupt the regular action
of The republican mil assMedy defeat themselves and
bring odtum upon their authors"
We have stated that conventions have been heretofore
called Tor the express purpose with two exceptions, of
choosing delegates to the national convention The ey-
ceptons TO which aude the pr esent convention
and that OF the year s43 The nomination for the pres
dency, in the year S4l excited intense interest Ii was
known that the State of New York presented citizen
of her own candidates and the controlling influence
OF her delegation in national convention was dreaded
by the friends OF the other candidates vigorous effort
was made to persuade the democracy of New York TO
depart from their settled usage, to select their dele
gates to national convention by allowing each congress
siona district to send one representative. To lake the
sense OF the democratic party regard to this question:
the republican members OF the legislature, April Is43
called State convention, to assemble in September,
1913, with power to choose delegates to national con
vention, or to determine the manner in which thew
should be chosen. 1t was wise and magnaninous thus
TO refer tins question to the democracy of the State and
TO allow abundant time between the call of the conven
ton and Its assembling to discuss it. The convention
assembled and declared by of 1903 to 10 in favor OF
the State system.
In October 1916, State convention assembled under
the call Of the democratic members of the legislature and
nominated Silas Wright for governor Addison Gardiner
for lieutenant governor and other officers They also
appointed State central committee to serve for tive
years and until another should be chosen In the sprng
of 1877 State convention called and held in like