Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-07-04
NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
Places Where They Have Been
Held Since 1892.
BALTIMoRB THE SCENE OF TWELVE

City-Of Late Years Chicago Has
Been More Deserving of the Title.
Nominating a President-The First
National Convention.
Baltimore has been the scene of u
national conventions, more than any
other city in the United States, says
the New York Evening Sun. 1t came
to be called Convention City. The first
national convention of the Democratic
party was held there in May, 1892.
The Democrats convened there again
In 1886, in 1910, 1914, 1S4S, 1852. 1860
and 1872. Wing national conventions
were held in Baltimore in 1914, 1852
and 1856, and the Republican national
convention met there in 1864. Chicago
Of later years has been more deserving
the title. The Republicans made Chi
cago their choice in 1860, the famous
convention at which Lincoln was NOM
mated. Since then the Windy City
has been the scene of the following ma
tional conventions: Democratic, 1864 (;
Republican, 1868; Republican, 1880;
Republican and Democratic, 1884; Re
publican, 1888; Democratic, 1892; Re
publican and Democratic, 1896. New
York city seems to be Stunned by ma
tional conventions. The Democratic
convention of 1868 Is the solitary rec
ord. Kansas City gets its first national
convention this year. The Republicans
this year went back to the scene OF
their first national convention, 1856.
The Republican national convention of
1872 was also held in Philadelphia.
The only other cities in which national
conventions of the big parties have
been held are Washington (Whigs, 1892,
Harrisburg (Whigs, 1886 and 1S40),
Cincinnati democrats, 1856 and 1880
and Republicans, 1876, st. Louis Oem-
ocrats, 1876 and 1888, and Republicans,
1896 and Minneapolis Republican,
1892.
Until the constitutional amendment
of 1904 the president and the vice pres
ident were voted for on the same bal
lot, the man with the second highest
number of votes becoming vice presi-
dent. The presidential electors have
not always been chosen by popular
vote. Before 1900 it was the general
CuSlODl lOI N1C ~
choose the electors, and it was not until
1928 that presidential electors were
chosen in nearly all the states by pop
ular vote. As late as 1876 the Colorado
legislature chose the three presidential
electors to represent that state.
There is nothing in the constitution
to prevent any state legislature naming
its own electors without appeal to the
people provided such a method of cleo
ton is prescribed by the state laws.
From 1900 to 1924 presidential candi-
dates were chosen by the members of
congress IN caucus. In 1924 the cleo
toral college failed to make choice
from the candidates so submitted, and
the matter went to the house of repre-
sentatives. Four years later Tennes-
sees legislature nominated Andrew
Jackson without any reference to the
congressional caucus. His opponent,
John Quincy Adams, was nominated
in the old way, but that was the end
of presidential nominations by congress
sional caucus.
What may be called the first national
convention was not held by either Of
the great parties. 1t was conducted
by what was known as the AntiMa
sonic party and was held in Baltimore
in September 1881. Delegates attend
ed from every state mot chosen, how
ever, on basis of electoral strength,
a president and vice president were
nominated and a platform was adopt
ed. The Democrats held their first
national convention in Baltimore in
May, 1882, 313 delegates being present.
AS this year. the only contest was over
the vice presidency, General Harrison
having a walkover for first place. His
opponents convened in Washington
and named Henry Clay, II out of "a
states being represented. Since then
tir,cr tioI,S hn,-n hnnr, tho