The term refers to a closed-door meeting of party leaders in Congress during the early 19th century. This group, composed solely of members of a political party holding seats in the legislature, would nominate candidates for president and vice president. These nominations effectively determined who would run for the nation’s highest offices, giving significant power to a select group of individuals within the dominant party.
The significance of this system lies in its initial efficiency and later unpopularity. It provided a streamlined process for candidate selection when national conventions were not yet established. However, it faced increasing criticism for being undemocratic and elitist, as it excluded the general public and state-level party members from the nomination process. This perceived lack of representation fueled resentment and ultimately contributed to its demise. The benefits were primarily to maintain party unity and control at a time when political structures were still developing. Historically, its decline marked a shift toward greater popular participation in presidential elections.
