The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-18
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Features of the Eleven National
Gatherings Of Republicans.
Many Instances Where the Nomina-
Settled observation-disclosures Flights
OF 1860, 1876, 1850 and 1SSS-
Former Vice Presidential Contests.

This weeks gathering at Philadelphia
will be the twelfth National Convention OF
the Republican party. II will the the third
time that the Convention has been held in
the Quaker City.
There have been many other conventions
where it was known absolutely beforehand
who was to be named for President. and
where the chief interest centred in the
contest for the Vice Presidential nominal
tion, as at Philadelphia this week.
That was exactly the state of affairs at
held in the Quaker City. Nobody but Grant
was mentioned for the first place, but a
strong contest developed for the second
place between Schuyler Colfax, Vice Pres
ident in Grants first term, and Henry
Wilson. 1t has been said that Coifax's
of the Washington correspondents, with
whom Vice President Colfay had rendered
himself exceedingly unpopular. Wilson
received G34 1-2 votes and Colfax 321 IL.
Another occasion Wien virtually only
one name was mentioned for the Presi-
DENTAL nomination wa. The War Conven-
fion of 1864. There was a consd-
erable contest over the Vice Presidency.
Lincoln did not desire the denomination of
Vice President Hamlin and suggested An
drew johnson. Daniel S. Dickinson of
New York, johnson. Hailiin, and Ben But
Ter all received votes. 1t is said that Dick
inson might have been nominated If he
had received the support of his own State.
but he got only 2S of New York's 66 votes.
No Opposition TO Grant.
A similar condition. existed in 1868.
Grant. the victorious; general. with his
laurels still fresh, was the only rfesi-
dental candidate in sight Nobody else
was even thought Of The struggle for the
Vice Presidency was between Schuyler
Colfax, who had been Speaker of the House
for three terms; Governor Fenton, Gov
ernor Curtin, Henry Wilson, and Ben
Wade. The votes were pretty evenly di-
vided on the first ballot; on the fifth Col
fax received SAL and the nomination.
In 1884 the nomination of Blaine was
a foregone conclusion, although
four ballots tbetween Blaine, Arthur, Ed
Logan. Sherman, and Hawley)
were taken before the result was achieved
There was no serious contest over the
of General Logan for Vice
President.
Although there was much talk of Blaine
before the Convention of 1892, the renomi-
nation of Harrison was expected, and he
was named on the first ballot.
Morton. Quay. Reed, and Allison were
mentioned in 1896. but nobody ever had a
chance except Mckinley, who received
661 1-2 votes on the first ballot out Of 9O6
present.
Thus. in seven of the twelve Republican
Conventions Counting this week's) the
result was foregone conclusion regard
ing the Presidential nominee. In five of
the past eleven conventions the candidate
was named on the first baliot-Lincoln.
1864; Grant. 1865 and 1872; Harrison, 1892,
and Mckinley, 1896
or the Republican National Conventions
IN which there have been great fights over
the nomination, those of 1860. 1876. 1880,
and 1855 stand pre-eminent
The Republican party. since its birth in
ls5G. had been already gathering strength
Ind discipline in the four years preceding
he National Convention of 1860. in Chi |
ago. OF its leaders in the East, William |
4. Seward was easily the most eminent.
de had great ability, culture, and bril- |
fancy. and was earnestly supported by |
such men as Thurlow Weed and William |
N. Evarts. His Eastern following was |
compact and sincere. and he seemed by all |
dds the foremost candidate in the race. |
other names were mentioned. Horace |
ireeley. who did not like Seward, put for
ward Edward NJ. Bates of Missouri; Penn
ylvania was for Simon Cameron in a
way, and Ohio suggested \
almon P. Chase.
It was not until a few days before the !
National Convention that Lincoln was
ormally announced as a candidate, the |
illinois Republicans In State convention |
utting him forward. The National Com
ention was a gathering of strong men.
cry many of whom subsequently became
amous. Among those who took a promi-
ent part were Judge Wiimot, Henry ].
raymond. Thurlow Weed, William NJ.
warts. Tom Corbin. George William Cur
is, Joshua r. Giddings. David Davis,
eonard SWEET. John A. Andrew, George
Boutwell,. Col. A. X. Mcclure, and Thad
tevens. The Convention met at noon en-
lay 16. Judge Wilmot was made tenn
crary chairman, and George Ashmun, of
Massachusetts,, permanent chairman
Combinations Against Seward,
The next day. after the adoption of the
latform, a motion was made TO proceed
18th nominations. 1t has been declared
y those who were in position to know.
nat had this motion prevailed Seward
ould have been nominated instead of |
lincoln. The Convention adjourned, how
yer. and in the night the combinations
those opposed to Seward were made
lat defeated him. State elections were
} be held in Pennsylvania and Indiana
'fore the Presidential election, and the
epuhlican leaders in those States feared y
- effect the of
with the American party So
ese States Joined hands with Illinois.
warts nominated Seward and Dick Ogles- C
named Lincoln. At the first ballot | n
ward received 173 1-2 votes and Lincoln
g On the second, Seward had ls41-2
ID Lincoln 1S1. Vermont changed her S
te TO Lincoln, and on the third ballot g
needed but 12 votes for majority. i
Iio changed four votes to Lincoln, which v
minated him. q
The convention of 1876 brought out a o
mber of strong candidates, most promi-
mt OF which were Blaine and Conklins h
hers were Senator Morton of Indiana. s
Secretary of the Treasury BENJAMIN II a
istow, and Governor Hartranft, of Penn
vania Ohio named its Governor, Hayes il
o had recently defeated Allen G. Thur o
II in hard battle. The first ballot re- V
ted: Blaine, 2S5: Morton, l24; Bristow p
}; Conkling. 80; Hayes. Gl; Hartranft e
Jewell, IL. As the balloting proceeded
y came no nearer to choice Combina- 1t
rs were tried and found impossible On n
er candidates. and finally Hayes was u
ned on the seventh ballot as a compro- Ut
se. Prominent at this convention were y
mes Russell Lowell. Richard A. Dana Ii
liam p. Frye, Eugene Hale, the broth
Hoar. A. B. Cornell, Thomas C. Platt
lries Emory Smith. Don Cameron. Ben
de, William Pitt Kellogg. John p. Ii
es. Nathan Con. Henry NJ. Teller, Rich Dr
Thompson, Judge Harlan. and Steward | -
Woodford. Ingersoll made his famous