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In the earlier stages of American political development, nominations to elective offices were made by private, informal agreements among active politicians, or by the more organized caucus; or else the candidate announced his candidacy publicly, and ran for the office without other nomination. Next came the legislative caucus. From 1796 to 1816 candidates for the Presidency, for one party or the other, were selected by caucuses of the members of Congress belonging to that party. The practice fell into dislike by 1824 (see Caucus). Nominations of State officers to be elected by the people were similarly made by party caucuses in the Legislature. But this gave, in the case of a given party, no representation of those districts whose legislative delegates were not of that party. Hence arose a modification of the caucus, the caucus being supplemented by the addition of delegates specially sent up from those unrepresented districts. From this developed the nominating convention pure and simple (see art. Convention, Nominating) and this institution, developed in the States, was soon transferred to the Federal arena. – In the case of most U.S. officers of importance, not elected by the people, the President nominates, subject to confirmation by the Senate, as provided by the Constitution of 1787. See arts. Removals, and Tenure of Office Act.