This platform is a formal statement of the party's attitude upon the public questions of the day; next to the nomination of candidates it is the most important work of the convention.
The platform of any party is usually adopted as read.
Nominations for candidates are next in order, and these begin with the roll call of the states arranged alphabetically for the presentation of candidates for the presidential nomination. Several candidates are often nominated. The delegation from any state when called in its turn may pass its right of nomination to any other delegation not yet called.
Some good and influential speaker will nominate the candidate from his state, and it is usually seconded by a good speaker from some state that has not a candidate.
After roll call for nominations is completed the convention proceeds to the first ballot.
The chairman of the delegation from his state when the state is called by the secretary of the convention, arises and announces the vote of his state. Sometimes a candidate is nominated by acclamation, but usually many ballots are necessary to decide the contest.
If a candidate is not nominated on the first few ballots, a dark horse sometimes receives the nomination, but this is seldom the case.
As soon as a candidate receives the number of votes necessary to nominate, which is two-thirds of the delegates in a Democratic convention and a majority in a Republican convention, usually some one moves that the nomination be made unanimous, which is adopted with great applause.
After the nomination for President is over the convention proceeds in the same way to nominate a candidate for Vice President.
At the national convention of each party a new national committee is appointed to carry on the campaign and act until the next convention.