THE PARTY SYSTEM OF BOYS STATE

Unlike in national and local political life, party affiliation at Boys’ State is not based on ideological beliefs, but rather on arbitrary selection.

Two parties are invented: Nationalists and Federalists. These parties have no connection with any existing political movements, and at the time the citizens of Boys’ State take them over, they have no programs or platforms.

Each municipality will have a Federalist and Nationalist delegation which will elect a state committeeman on Saturday. On Sunday, each state committee will meet in a private dining room to select a party chairman, a party secretary and to agree upon which of their members shall serve on the Platform and Resolutions and Rules and Steering Committees. When each convention first assembles on Sunday evening, the moderator will introduce the party chairman who will in turn introduce the members of the state committee and their assigned duties. At all times, the Chairman should have an accurate tally of who is present. Only delegates with proper credentials should be allowed in the hall.

The following is a suggested set of rules for each convention:

1. All delegates should be registered. The Chair should have an accurate tally of who is present. Only delegates with proper credentials should be allowed in the hall.

2. Each county delegation may place in nomination the name of one person for each of the 6 constitutional offices and U.S. Senator. It will be understood, however, that after the party primary, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will run as a team.

3. The convention will be chaired by the Party Chairman. He shall be assisted by the Party Secretary. Neither the Party Chairman nor Secretary can be a candidate for statewide office. The Party Chairman is authorized to name members of the Rules & Steering Committee, as well as others, and Sergeants-At-Arms, to keep order at the convention.

4. The Party Chairman will announce appointments to the Platform and Resolutions and Rules and Steering Committees. Their duties are as follows:

Platform & Resolutions — To write a party platform stating the broad philosophical views that the party can rally around, and to prepare resolutions expressing the beliefs of the assembled delegates.

Rules & Steering — To certify that only bona-fide delegates are present; to keep order; and to direct the campaign for all party nominees.

5. All candidates nominated for office will be given the opportunity to speak before the convention.