Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

vagueness they bear some resem-
blance to letters of recommended
ton, in this case written by the body
recommended" Another critic
called them devices Ito catch votes
by trading on the credulity of the
electors"
Compromise is sometimes hard
to reach, as testified by the Demo-
cratic efforts last week on a civil
rights plank, and some famous con-
vention fights have been precipi-
tated by disagreements on platform.
In 1924, the Democratic con-
vention was the scene of sharp
fights over plankS dealing with the
League of Nations and the Ku Klux
Khan. A minority proposal to de-
nounce the Khan by name was de-
feated on the floor by single vote.
. In 1882. the long-standing pro-
hibition issue came to a head at
both conventions. Democratas fl
nally approved plank calling for
outright repeal, while Republicans
Straddled the issue. but only after
protracted debate between vets and
drys in both conventions.
. In 1948, the Democratic conven-
ton. by vote of 651la to 5821a,
adopted a strong civil rights plank
the one praised last Thursday by
former President Truman. Half the
Alabama delegation and the entire
Mississippi delegation walked out,
and the Southern States went on
to nominate States Rights ticket
in opposition to Mr.. Truman.
In general, congressional leaders
OF the party out of power have the
most to say about its platform,
while the White House shapes the
platform Of the party in power.
On several occasions, presidential
nominees openly have disputed
platform planks. others have &C
cepted them 100 per cent" as
Franklin D. Roosevelt put it in 1882.
Despite the brickbats and ridi-
cule-and the fact that platforms
are sometimes forgotten in the heat
of campaigning. they remain the
only official statement of party
position.
The Nomination
Once the preliminaries are out
Of the way, the convention moves
on to the nomination of "the next
President of the United States"
The Secretary calls the roll of
the States in alphabetical order.
Each State may place a name in
nomination, second a nomination
previously made. yield the floor to
another State or pass.
Nominating speeches, = although
limited to Is or 20 minutes, are
the f1amboyant pinnacle of political
oratory. Traditionally, the man
who" speech does not name the
candidate until the very end. when
the name becomes the signal for
a tremendous-and carefully pre-
arranged - demonstration on the
convention floor.
After all names have been placed
in nomination. balloting begins with
a call of the States once more. Or
dinarily, the first ballot is for the
casting of votes for favorite sons.
Even so, more often than not one
candidate has amaSSed enough
following to win nomination on this
roll call. Since 1856, the Republic
cans have nominated three fourths
of their presidential candidates on
the first ballot. Democrats about
one-half.
The all-time record for balloting
occurred in 1924 when the Demo-
Gratis went to 1913 ballots before
they broke a deadlock between Al
fred E. Smith and William G. Nc
Adoo by nominating John w. Davis.
The Republican maximum was SO
ballots in 1880 when James A. Gar
field was nominated.
Once a candidate has mustered