Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-11
CONVENTION BOLTS
Relatively Few Of Them In tn
History Of American Politics.
Some Exciting ones--The
First One Came Early

| FIRST one came Early
WHEN the intensity of feeling, not
w only between the two great parties
which have always been dominant In
American politics, but also in most
presidential nomination campaigns be-
tween factions OF the same party, Is
considered, there have been surprisingly
few bolts from the convention halls.
What bolts there have been have usually
been for principles rather than for can
didatcs. Nevertheless, popular sympn-
thy Is rarely with the boilers; they nre
too much in the position of the little boy
who wouldn't play when he couldn't
boss.
The first caucus to nominate can
tidnte for President was composed of
members Of Congress and was held in
1908. when the Republicans (aftcrward
changed to Democrats by Jackson) met
and nominated Madison. This was
harmonious. but the first signs Of dis
satisfaction came four years later,
wheo at the caucus which renominated
Madison the New York delegation re-
fused to attend the conference, and at
n laicr one Of their own named Dewitt
Clinton ns their candidate. Although
n Rrpub.can. he was indorsed by the
Fcdcralists but as the issue was war
or pcnce (thc war of 1922 Madison
war easily elected. Thus the first bolt
passed into history as defeat.
THE next bolt was against the sys-
J. TEN Of congressional caucuses in
1916. and again it failed. Neverthe-
less. the caucus as means of nomi-
mating presidential candidate was
doomed and in 1894 none worth the
name vas held, with the result of n
four corncrcd free for-al race, when
John Quincy Adams defeated Jackson,
Crawford and Clay. National conven-
tions were still unknown, and 1t was not
until 1S3O that the first one was held
in Philadelphia.
In 1928 jackson was elected over
Adams and Clay. the candidates being
named by legislative meetings and local
conventions. This year is memorable
for the slogan ITO the victors belong
the spoils," cnunciated by Jackson and
destined to play prominent but sin
lister part in American politics.
T,HE first national convention met in
L Philadelphia. the inaugural city OF
so many national events, and was called
by tho anti Mason party, the outlet of
the old Fcdcralists, but it took no action
and adjourned for year. Its example
was followed by all parties and since
then the national convention has be-
come an institution. For the election
of 1882 the National Republicans met
and named Henry Clay and the Demo-
Gratis named Jackson, who was vic
toriouS.
Tho fight Of 1886 saw the birth Of the
Wings. There were no bolts from the
conventions, but Virginia refused to
accept Van Buren, as the presidential
candidate aud carried his name on the
ballot for Vice President. Both con-
vcntiors were harmonious in 1910, and
in that year the Democrats presented Il
national platform for the first time.
At the convention of the same party
four years later the first dark horse
developed in the person of James Is.
Polk. The name was coined at the
time and has stuck ever since. The
first dark horse won the election.
THE first real bolt resulting IN the
i defeat of the conventions candidate
at the polls came in 1913, again in the
Democrats. New York, which began
the trouble in the old caucus. did the
same in the convention. and after two
delegations from the state had been
seated after angry discussion. one with
drew and the other refused to partici-
pate. The disgruntled faction later
called convention of its own and
named Van Burcn. which resulted in the
election of the Wing candidate, General
Zachary Taylor. Pennsylvania first
broke from her Democratic moorings in
this election.
In spite Of the fact that the slave
question was now drawing to head,
the conventions were peaceful until that
of 1860. when the Democrats staged
one of the most spectacular of fights.
Nine of the states boted, and both
regulars and boilers held several meet
ings before two tickets were put into the
field against Lincoln
The next conventions were peaceful,
although the Republican meeting of
| 1865 which named Grant nominated a
candidate who had never been Re-
publican and who never cast Repub-
| lican ballot until he had been a Rcpub-
! lican President for eight years. In
! 1872 there was a split in the Republican
party. but il was from slowly develop
| ing differences and was not bolt from
a convention. Horace Greeley was
named by the Liberal Republicans and
indorscd by the Democrats, but Grant,
the regular Republican nominee, was
! triumphant.
WITH most Of the great issues OF
w the Civil War settled politically
national conventions took the paths of
peace from this time until the Demo
cratic one Of 1896, when William J,
Bryan made tho dramatic address on
! the free silver question which carried
! him into tho Democratic nomination on
n tidal wave The sound money Dem
ocrats were in a hopeless minority and
a bolt was seriously threatened, but il
was prevented although It's delegates
refused to vote on the first ballot fol
President
Thirty four free silver delegates
botcd from the Republican convention
in 1896, They were led by Senator
Henry NJ. Teller. Of Colorado. and III,
CludCd three other 'nitn0 Stltps senu