Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-04-01
ELECTION ODDITIES
Political Prophets Can ProDe Al
most Anything by Ingenious
Reference to Presidential
Campaign Precedenfs
U,REE indulgence in the American

passion for political precedent is one
of the most enlivening features of presi-
Dental campaigns. Tradition in such
instances means quite the reverse Of
rigidity, for the facts of our great quad
rennial adventures are sufficiently varie-
gated to support almost any line of
reasoning.
Dark horses and scrupulously
groomed candidates have won and have
been defeated. There have been unaui-
nous elections; elections in 1900 and
1924 that were decided by the House of
Representatives. Once, in the case of
Hayes, a special committee was named
to reach a result, which was delayed
until two days before the inauguration.
A President who, previous to his first
nomination, had never voted the Re-
publican ticket, twice led the Republican
party to victory. This was Grant, whose
early political leauings were as muchs
a mystery and source of argument as
those of Herbert Hoover were until this
week. A fusion Of parties has been
greatly to n candidates advantage, and
it has been major cause of defeat.
1n this latter instance Horace Greeley
was the sufferer. His nomination by
the Liberal Republicans in 1872 was a
product of opposition within the Re-
publican party 10 Grants lamentable
political incapacity. The choice, from
the standpoint of the boilers, was un-
fortunate, since the support of the Dem
ocrats was essential to victory IN this
curious three -cornered contest.
Originally the Liberal Republicans
had pinned their hopes on Charles
Francis Adams. son of John Quincy
Adams, father of Henry Adams and
statesman OF high sincerity and deeply
respected abilities. But Adams, though
able and honest, was tactless. A tele-
gram urging his managers to take him
out of that crowd accomplished pre-
cisels that result, and ureeley secured
the nomination.
The Democrats shortly afterward
chose him as their candidate. In theory
the chances for his election seemed ex-
cellent. But many old line Democrats
baked at Greeley's previous Republican
affiliations, while Republicans, even
those aversc to the old guard regime,
hesitated to vote for Democratic NOM
inee. The consequence was one of the
chillicst populations of n presidential
candidate in the whole history of Ameri-
can politics. The blow prostratcd the
distinguished editor. who died before the
electoral college met, and the Demo-
NlPcIOTS cast InclT NOleS
any serious effort at concentration.
'NN THE other hand, union Of po-
" litical sentiments once almost 8c-
corded to presidential aspirant the
honors which were Washington's. A
sentimental elector from New Hamp-
shire resolved TO keep the Father of His
Country politically unique.
Before the college met in 1920 it was
fully realized that James Monroe would
be Endorsed for second term. Parti-
sanship was at low ebb. or rather it
was undivided. The Fedpralists had
outlived their usefulness. Their vigor-
they had failed to advance with its
progress.
1n1S16 a feeble effort at organizatio
was made and Rufus King. of New
York. was nominated for the prcsi-
dency. He received thirty four cleo
toral votes to Monroe's 1S3. Four
years later the ERA of Good Feeling"
was in full swing. Federalism was ex-
tinct. The Whig party, which was to
contest the control of the executive
branch of the government with the
Democracy for a generation. had not yet
taken shape.
1t was twelve years before prcsidcn-
tial nominating conventions were insti-
tuted. The congressional caucus system
was still in vogue. The caucus called
during the session of 1920 was slimly at
tended. 4 resolution was passed de-
claring it ineXpedicnt to make any rec
ommendation. IL was foregone con-
clusion that Monroe would again be the
nations choice. The one elector who
hA I,,s taN,- N,N,, 90
his ballot for John Quincy Adams.
Monroe received the other 231 votes.
SO swiftly. however, do political cur
rents swirl that within four years the
House of Representatives had con-
tested election on its hands. By popu-
lar vote Andrew Jackson led his rivals.
But he lacked a majority in the cleo
toral college. John Quincy Adams was
eventually chosen-oddly enough, by the
legislative instrument which had en-
bittered his father in electing Thomas
Jefferson nearly a quarter of century
earlier.
That battle was particularly agonizing
to new nation. Contested elections
were an ominous novelty. Federalism
was supercilious and arrogant concern
ing the new Democracy. John Adams,
having served one term, was exceedingly
confident of his re- election. Neverthe-
less. his opponents carried The electoral
college, polling seventy three votes to
sixty FIVE by the Federalists but there
was no election, since jefferson and
Aaron Burr had received tho full Demo
cratic vote, and the constitution at that
| time empowered the electors to vote for
| two persons. The one receiving the next
TO the highest number Of votes was TO be
| Vice President.
This confusing arrangement was
changed in 1904 by the twelfth amend
ment providing that President and Vice
President shall be voted for separately
In 1900 thirty-six ballots were taken
before jefferson, TO the utter chagrln of
Adams, was elected.
DEFORE his death in 1899 Washing
ID ton came TO realize and to deplore
the role which partisanship was to play
in American government. Its healthy
aspects were, on the whole, incompre-
hensible to him.
This was natural, since the first presi- %
dental election was an imposing testi-
monial Of unshadowed popular affection.
North Carolina and Rhode Island had
not Joined the Union in 1898. A politi-
cal tangle in New York had deprived her
Of contributing electors. But Wash
lingtOn received the votes of the ten
states rcpresented-a total of sixty nine
ballots.
His second election. though also unan .
imous, was held while political clouds
were beginning 10 gather. Jefferson,
the secretary of state. resigned from the
cabinet in 1894 to lead the opposition.
| rAATES X POLK is ppnera1Iv rated as