Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-06-17

ISCSSNA NO tOAAllsttokt--AhOW GOuNen-
 ton Dnes It's work-The Functions os
 the National Committee - Chances of
 Contesting Delegations-Great Men of
 the Party Who Will Take Part-Recol-
 iections of Former Conventions.
 Copyright 1s96.l
 The 18th of June, the day fixed for the Republican national convention at St. Louis, is now near at hand The forma- ton of this great deliberate body was com pleted in the election of delegates two weeks ago. Their assembling is awaited with anxiety, hope and fear by aspirants for political honors, according to their rat ings of their chances of success, and with deep interest by the rank and file of the Republican party. The eyes of the people i of all parties will be fixed on St. Louis the week of the 16th of June
 The selection of a candidate there is per haps the selection of a president and the adoption of national policy and on that policy the prosperity of the country de- bends.
 The present system of political conven- tions in America is the result of a century ofeyolution. State legislatures once named presidential candidates, and at ono time they were named in congressional caucus. Conventions were fora long time irregular and informal, and the very effective meth ods of today are hardly more than half a century old.
 And what are these methods" some modest citizen may ask. The question is natural enough, for, while political con ventions are attended by many thousands. they are missed by as many millions To appreciate the work of the convention let Us first glance at the work that has pre- ceded it.
 No sooner has candidate for the presi- dency been defeated at the polls than the grlst for the next conventions grinding begins to accumulate. The political as- pirations of thousands fell with that aspir- ant but in the world of politics old hopes never die, and new ones are born every minute. Disappointment is the bitter tonic that increases the appetite for office and strengthens the determination to win.
 Delegates and Their Pledges.
 The national convention Is the culmina- tion of four years of political labor This Is not to say that every delegate is poli- tician, for perhaps not one-third of the party's representatives can be so eiassed but each is in some way connected with
 
 he represents. Each is pledged to a policy and possibly to q candidate If every del egate could be trusted to redeem the pledges made to his people or even to the candi- dates, forecasting convention work would not be so difficult matter. But delegates are uncertain quantities, and, though there have been cut and dried conventions in the history of American politics. they have not been many. In almost every instance the convention hall has been a battle-ground, and the conflict has brought at times some startling and unexpected results. Some times in the national situation crisis arises, one that must be met boldly and without too much deliberation. The very life of party may depend on the prompt enunciation of principle of government or firm protest against some proposed change in the system of national economies At such 2 juneture local and personal con alterations give way to the supreme ques- ton of expediency, and the man who is deemed the best representative of radical party principle is chosen without debate
 This ability to merge all differences (great ones sometimes) into harmonious effort and to make personal sacrifices upon the altar of party loyalty is the best evi- dence of the excellence of our political sys- tenn as well as of the devotion to principle which turks somewhere even in the most ] mercenary breast.
 Will the Republican convention of 1896 be n convention swayed by devotion to a great party principle or by popular preju- ] dice for an individual? Or will the two influences be combined? Will 1t declare for the oracle of protection, or the standard bearer of 'sound money" or the apostle