The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-06-24

once every -FOUR years our political
parties hold conventions to noini-
nate candidates for president and
vice president. The idea originated
with the Anti.Masoilic party In 1881,
the first TO hold O nominating con-
vention. Although that party died
soon afterward, aS minor political
parties have since, the convention
Idea stuck, and was adopted by the
wings and Democrats the Following
year, when they held o national
convention In Baltimore and nomi-
mated Henry Clay and Andrew
Jackson respectively. National con-
veftions have been held quadren-
niaily ever since. This year the Re-
publican convention In Philadelphia
today, while the Democratic con-
vention opens In Chicago July Is.
Both Republicans and Democrats
arc holding conventions later this
year than ever before, except In
ie04 when the Democrats postpon-
cd theirs until August 20. But al
ways since the Republicans and
Democrats have been the major
parties, the Democrats have held
tAaeH CUf1VGutAVkl iNbt,
E.sason For Convention Cities
Convention cities ore chosen for
two reasons; strategic and financial,
Chicago, OF the junction OF rail-
roads from east, west, north and
south, and also close TO the center
OF population, has had more major
party political conventions than any
other city. Usually the convention
city subscribes o considerable sum
TO defray convention expenses, This
year Philadelphia offered 100000 10
the Republicans, outbidding Chicago
which offered only TO supply the
convention hall. The Republicans
have met In Philadelphia, twice be-
fore, In 1900 and 1904.
Sometimes convention proceedings
ere 80 cut and dried, everything
having been arranged In advance,
including nominees, that II has been
difiicult 10 keep them going three 10
four days. But there have also been
some hot fights which have carried
them beyond O week. The unforget-
table Democratic convention In New
York City In 1924 opened June "a
and continued to July 10, while Gov.
Alfred II. Smith and william q. Nc
Adoo fought O pitched battle for
the nomination In which both sue
stumbled. The tired delegates finally
nominated John w. Davis on the
one hundred and third ballots.
Delegate Plan Complicated
The Republican plan Tor delegate
representation In their convention Ia
fairly complicated, but this year
there will DO 1000 delegates conipar-
Cd with zoos In 1895. The Democrats
this year allow two delegates for
each Senator and Representative In
CongresA from each state, and their
total will be 100. Both parties per.
NIT delegations from the District
OF Columbia, the territories and In.
suler possessions, although the peo-
pie there have no vote In the presi-
dental election. For tho first time
In history the Democrats will nomi-
nate by o straight, majority vote
this year. The Republicans have
always done that but Andrew jack
son dictated In 1885 that II should
rhequire the vote Of two-thirds OF
the delegates to nominate, and that
rule has been In effect In Demo-
cratic conventions ever since until
II was rescinded In 1885 TO apply TO
this years convention.
Party conventions are called 10
order by the national chairman, who
introduces o temporary chairman,
previously selected by the committee
on arrangements. He delivers the
keynote" speech. The convention
then elects o permannt chairman.
In the meantime, the resolutions
committee, the members Of which
have been selected by the state del
egations, assemble and start draft
Ing o platform. The platform Is re-
ported and adopted before ballot
Ing for nominee begins, but while