The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-06-14
CINCINNArI CONVENTION.

~-<s
As all interest is now centered in Gin
cinnsti, we devote the principal portion
of our space to facts, gossip and specula-
tions, in regard TO the Convention, which
meets this morning. This is the sixth
national gathering Of the Republican
party; and will be composed of 764 mem
bers. A bare majority only, S7s votes, will
be required to nominate candidates tor
President and Vice President. The
hall where the convention is held will
seat 6Os4 persons, leaving seating accom-
modstiops for over 1000 persons aside
from delegates. 1t is not believed that
q ballot tor President will be reached
to-day; and owing to the multiplicity OF
candidates and the fair division ofstrength
among them, it is probable that nomi-
nation may not be reached before Friday.
Twenty years ago, tie first Repubh-
can Convention for the nomination OF
President was held. Forty years ago, the
frs, Democratic Presidential Convention
was held. Prior TO that time candi 1ates for
the Presidency and Vice. Presidency were
put in the field by what were known as
Congressional caucuses. Owing to his
exalted character, and invaluable servi-
ces to the country, WAsHINGToN was
chosen first President under the Consti-
tuition. He was re elected by almost
unanimous vote. During his administra.
,ion, the Federal party formed under the
leadership of HAMILTON, and the Repub-
lican party crystilized into form by JET
PERSON, sprsng into e1istance. ADAMS
and JEFFERSON became candidates
of the two parties by common sonsent;
and ADAMS was elected. In the year
1900 caucus of the members OF Con-
gress was held in Philadelphia and NOM
nated THOMAS JEFFERSON. From that
time 10 1886, the close of JACKSON Sec
ond term when the first delegate con.
vention was held, members Of Congress
continued to name the candidate for
President.
We are accustomed to look back with
longing regret to the era of the great
Presidents; and the reader will not fail
10 notice that the great Presi
dents went not about the
time nominating conventions came
in. And, on reflection, be will
be apt to conclude that this is some
thing more than mere coincidence; and
he may understand why It is that, though
this convention at Cincinnati meets to
name II candidate for probably the very
hiehes: Official station in the world, no
body .xpects that it will name a great
man. For nearly fifty years the country
got along without any Of this compli-
Gated machinery. But the assumption OF
the Congressional caucus, in naming can
didates 70 be voted for, came to be re-
garded as al arrogation OF power, and
90 the National Convention was invented.
1t has produced such surprising
candidates. as HARRISON, Polk, TAY-
LoR PIERCE, GRANT, and the like,
until it has become, in most cases, pretty
safe to predict that the man whom the
largest number of people desire to vote
for is the man least likely to he placed in
nomination. The members of Congress,
who used to suggest the candidates, did
in some measure represent their constit-
uents. Holding their Offices directly from
the people and being responsible TO them,
they might be fairly assumed to under
stand the public sentiment of their dis
tricts, and 1t was TO their interest to re-
gard it. But these worthy gentlemen at
Cincinnati represent nobody, and are re-
sponsib'e to nobody except the "man-
ayers" under whose order they act.