The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1876-08-03
The Old System II Presidential Mem.
lnsf1o0.

The OId system q Presidential Mem.
nation.
Our Presidents aud Vice Preei-
dents werest 6rst nominated by eau
cuses composed Of the Senators aud
members Of the House Of Represen.
tatives belonging to eaoh party. This
caucus system although We often see
it docricd BY EngIish writer's and pa
pers, was really derived by our early
politicians from England. It became
the habit Of the Parliamentary Lead.
ers Of the wings and tories soon az
ter tho revolution Of l6SS, to meet at
tsverns or club houses Ia order to
provide discipline for the party ranks.
to discuss aud decide on measures. and
even on special votes. and to dessig-
nate the personnel Of new ministries
Many an entertaining Of these con-
claves, which often partook ofs fes-
tive and literary as well as q delib-
crate character, has como down TO Us
10 the writings Of Addison. Steele.
Harvey aud Horace wslpole, and
ali hough they were not known a.,
'caucuses," they we're such in form
and 10 purpose.
Even before the Revolution Amer.
icau politics had taken a distinct par
~ shape. and what we're virtually
caucuses were held IN the qnnint old
iDns Of Boston, New York and PhiIs
adelpbia on the part both Of tho to-
ries aud patriots. II was often dec,-
ded in these conferences who should
be sent to iho general court. who
should be male colooel Of militia,
who should be delegated to tho Couii-
mental Congress. Al the Green
Dragon" In Boston. notable conier-
cDccs Of the caucu, order were wont
TO DO held, 10 which Hsncock, Ad-
aus. Otis aud Warren were leading
and inspiring spirits.
For the FIRST three Presidential
elections, however there we're nomina-
ting cancuses Of CoLgressmen for ,be
reason that the candidates were very
clearly designated by the events Of the
Revolutionary aud constitution form
ing period.
1t was in the year 1900, when a
successor was TO be chosen to Presi-
dent Adams, that the 6rst caucus re-
corded in our history was held. 1t
met at Philadelphia, was called by
the republican opposition. and com
prised thirty-scven members OF the
Lower House and nine Senate ors
There was oothing very strict or for
nal about the meeting. These gem
tlcmen met to discuss candidates, very
likely in one OF these coffee houses
which early Congressman used 10
frequent iu tho Quaker City, md
there seems TO have been no vei y
sharp rivalry for the places, on the
ticket The caucus was Of one sc-
cord that Jefferson should be presents
ed to the people for the Presidency.
The first caucus in which there
was Q contest was held in January,
1908. Jefferson was about to retire
from the Presidency. II was certain
that the nominee of his party would
be elected. Virginia that had alrea>
dy furnished two out Of three Presi-
dents, supplied the rival candidates
to the republican caucus One wa,
James Maids n, who, having begun
as u fcderaiist, had become o strong
political adhereut Of Jefferson, and
was now Secretary Of State. Tn,
other was Colonel Monroe, who haC
been Minister to France. Tho eau
Gus comprised ninety-iour Senators
uad members, aud Madison was nom.
mated by eighty-three votes. Georie g
Clinton, the then Vice President re-
ceivirg nomination for that otiice.