The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-07

ed with the convention In an uproar.
Wisconsin. because OF its alphabetical
position. had not affected the thirty
fourth ballot. but there was some chance
that Il might the next one. Delegates
were seen wildly rushing about the floor
and delegations hurriedly consulting
among themselves to see what should be
done. In that ballot Garheld's strength
rose only 10 80; this indicated that a
break had come. and that II any other
candidate were TO be nominated his
friends could effect the necessary COM
bination none too soon. The Sherman
and the Washburne men and most Of the
Blaine men. dreadlng Grants nomination
above everything. were getting ready 10
go over 10 Garfield when the thirty-sixth
ballot was ordered. delegation after dele
cation OF the Blaine men declared for
the Ohioan: they took up the standards
OF their States, and going TO the seats
Of the Ohio delegates. grouped them
about Gen. Garfield himself. who seemed
dazed and bewildered. He soon left the
convention hall, getting out from the ris
ing acclaims before the result OF the bal
lot was known. The vote. as finally an
nounced. showed that he had received 399
votes. and he was accordingly declared
the choice OF the convention for President
Of the United States.
Arthur Gets Second Place.
The Vice Presidency was soon settled.
II was practically agreed that New York
could have the place. but II was assumed
that her delegates would present the
name Of Levi =. Morton. They held a
caucus, however. in their rooms at the
Grand Pacific Hotel and decided on Ches-
ter A. Arthur The support Of several
other candidates proved little more than
perfunCtOry since Il was assumed that
the man who best represented the Conk
ling faction, and was recommended by
the New York delegation TO help In carry
ing New York. would be the most useful
adjunct 10 the ticket. At 1870 on Monday
evening the convention adjourned sine
die The committee on notification as
sembled at the Grand Pacific Hotel. where
Senator Hoar formally notified the candi-
dates Of their nomination. Both Garfield
and Arthur responded briefly in accept
ance.
Our President-making machinery has
changed somewhat in these twenty-eight
years. The notification ceremonies have
now grown into an observation Of great
importance. To tell candidates OF their
nomination just after the convention had
adjourned, as Garfield and Arthur were
informed Of their success. would not now
be regarded as sufficiently dignifed. It
is very unusual for candidates to be
found in the convention or even in the
city OF its meeting. Bryan was in the
convention which nominated him in 1896
and arrived at the 1900 convention in time
10 make a speech; but, as a rule the can
didates and expectant candidates remain
as yelled prophets in the background
Alton B. Parker remained at Esopus In
1904 and Mr. Mckinley at Canton in 1896
Roosevelt was at Philadelphia when nom
mated for Vice President in 1900 but not
at Chicago four years later
More Attention 10 Mates.
More serious attention seems now to be
given 20 the selection Of Vice Presidents
particularly by the Republicans, No such
snap Judgment as Arthurs selection has
been taken for some years. Fairbanks
Roosevelt. and Hobart had been "consid-
cred long IN advance of the conventions
meeting. and practically decided upon
Mr.. Arthur was hardly IN the first 1000
men OF the country who would have been
originally thought OF for the Presidency,
an Office which he subsequently filed
Win aDllllt. IItSluenl hayes naQ not
regarded him as a suitable man for col
lector Of the port of New York. His Sc
lection for Vice President was an acct
dent Of the kind which IL is. however,
hardly safe for the country often to in
vite II the New York delegation had Sc
lected any other person. allied neces-
sarily with the COnkling faction. that
man would have been as readily accepted
by the convention and so gone into his
tory among the roll of Presidents.
The 1880 convention is further notable
as the one in which the Republican party
abandoned the unit rule. or the require
ment that States should cast their votes
as group, practice 10 which the De-
mocracy still stupidity adheres. The con-
vention OF 1880 Is further memorable be-
cause held in the Exhibition Hall OF Chi
cago. which stood not far from the pres
ent site OF the Auditorium Hotel In Il