New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-09
Other Wide-Open Conventions.

No Republican National Convention
since 1883 has failed to nominate Presi-
dental candidate on the first ballot. The
convention now sitting in Chicago is likely
to reverse this precedent of twenty-eight
years standing. Yet in so doing it will
only bark back to earlier precedents for,
except in 1896, the Republican party has
always named a candidate after consider
able deliberation in the years when it was
out Of power.
A President in office has usually been
able to renOminate himself or to dictate
the choice of his successor. There have
been only two exceptions to this rule in
Republican politics. Rutherford B. Hayes
did not seek a denomination. Chester A.
Arthur did. and was defeated by James G.
Blaine Mr.. Arthur's failure was in line,
however, with political usage. for up TO
1904-in Theodore RoOsevelts case-no
Vice President assuming the Presidency
had ever been nominated for the succeed
ing term.
Conditions within the Republican party
after 1883 made it nearly impossible to
prevent Administration control Of conven-
ton machinery. The inflated representa-
ton Of the "rotten borough" Southern
States. controlled by Federal patronage
gave a President in office every advantage
in a contest for delegates. If the outgoing
national committee was with him. he had
the situation completely in hand. This was
demonstrated in 1892. when President Har-
rison was renominated against a very for
ridabe opposition; in 1908, when Presi-
dent Roosevelt dictated the choice of Mr..
Taft. ard in 1912, when President Taft Sc
cured his own denomination, although
beaten decisively in nearly all the primary
states. A partial reduction of the South's
rotten borough" representation has now
restored a fair measure of control 20 the
Republican voters. Even when the Repub-
lcan party is in power national con-
ventions will probably never again be
"stean-rollered" as they were in 1908 and
1912.
When the Republican party was formed
in 1856 there was no scramble for the
Presidential nomination. The politicians
knew that it would be an empty honor 10
win nomination that year. John c. Ere
mont was chosen on an informal first bal
lot, his only real opponent being Associate
Justice John Mclean. of the United States
Supreme Court. In 1860 the real leaders
fought eagerly for the prize. William
H. Seward was ahead on the first and sec
ond ballots, but Abraham Lincoln passed
him on the third. Lincoln lacked on that
ballot only two votes of a majority, and
shift of four votes from Ohio gave him the
nomination.
Lincoln was renominated unanimously
in 1864, Grant was chosen unanimously
in 1868 and in 1872. There was an open
contest in 1876, however, the Grant Ad-
ministration, much weakened in influence.
favorng no particular candidate. In this
convention James G.. Blaine led on the first
six ballots. On the sixth he was only 10
votes short Of a nomination. Then the OPP
position to him concentrated on Governor
Hayes of Ohio, who received $50 votes,
five more than a majority, Mr.. Blaine get
ting 351.
President Hayes not seeking renomina
tion and not supporting any candidate, the
convention Of 1880 was also a holy con-
tested one. Grant and Blaine locked horns
for thirty-fve ballots. and an adjournment
had to be taken over Sunday. Grants high
est vote was 31S, his lowest 500. Blaine's
highest was 2S5, his lowest 257. On the
thirty-ffth ballot John Sherman got his