The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-14
TOM PLATr AND THE REPORTERS.
He Has Learned the Secret of Popu-
larity and is Friend Of the Boys.
fCo,,o-j1bf 1887

(CoDgrt0ht 1871
NEW York, Oct. IA person entering
the Fifth Avenue hotel, New York city,
almost any night between S and 9 O'Clock
would be likely to see a tall, bony, but we'll
proportional man, with brown beard we'll
tinged with gray, standing in the CO ridor,
the center of attraction of group OF good
looking young men. The tall gentleman,
in the most precise and clock work like
manner, strokes his beard as he slowly con-
verses. A stranger noticing him would
invariably conclude that his words con-
tanned much wisdom, owing to the eager
manner in which they are listened to by his
companions.
This gentleman, who is always hand
somely dressed aud presents the appearance
of extreme neatness, is ex Senator Thomas
c. Platt, the supreme ruler Of the repub-
hcan party of the empire state and the mill
ionaire president of the United States
express company. He is as shrewd an or
ganizer of capital as of politicians, and his
fame as a flnancier is only exceeded by his
fame as politician.
The group that surround Mr. Platt of an
evening are principally composed of the re-
porters on the daily press. The ex-senator
Nj. Depew and wholesouled and generous
Cong ressman Roswell p. Flower as favor
ite with newspaper men. He is to-day the
most prolific channel of political news in
New Y York, and once he has confidence in a
reporter he is exceedingly liberal with
political information. Still, Mr.. Platt sell
dom allows himself to be quoted.
While lways q most Courteous gentle
man, it is only within the last two years
has aNo,r ln, Iii
paper men, having hitherto been inclined to
regard them with suspicion as people good
to avoid. Possibly he learned lesson
from Col. Dan Lamont, about how to ham
die the representatives of the press and
make them useful allies in his political
career. Anyway, Mr. Platt, like Col Dan
Lamont, has demonstrated that politician
is wise to stand in with the newspapers,
for it is since he has changed his tactics that
he has become the most potent party man.
ager since the days of Martin Van Buren,,
as was clearly demonstrated by the recent
republican state convention; and by virtue
| of ruler of his party he is one of tine most
potent factors Of national politics Only a
| short time ago the newspapers never lost al
opportunity of poking fun at Mr.. Platt aud
| abusing HIM, but now those of both politi.
| cal parties are sounding his praise
as a political genius, and the news
columns are always favorable to Mr..
Platt although the editorials may not be to
his liking. All the political writer's of the
| city consider themselves personal friends of
| Mr.. Platt, for he treats them as such, and
| having fine instinct for what is called
news, he puts considerable money in their
| pockets. When a reporter goes to Mr.. Piatt
| for news he don't wish TO have made public,
| instead Of denying it or refusing to talk, he
| tells all he knows in the most unreserved
way, but in such manner that to publish
| it would be a violation of confidence
The ex-senator is now in position tc
say: 'As influence the news columns OF
New York newspapers regarding political
matters, l don't care who writes editorials. ,
Mr.. Platt could boycott any reporter who
writes on politics and thereby ruin his influ
ence. l knew a case In point some time ago.
| Mr.. Platt had been very kind in giving a
! young man considerable news which en-
abled him to make a good bit Of money.
| He gave him an interview that
the young man regarded as a per-
sonal favor, for Mr.. Platt had gone
to considerable Inconvenience in the
| matter. The interview appeared in print
the n xt day under head lines that were
| very uncomplimentary and, to say the
least, very discourteous to Mr.. Platt. 1t
called him ''Tom," and referred to MIN in
other undignified ways. Mr.. Platt was,
very naturally, offended, and, not knowing
| that the headlines were written by the
editor instead of the reporter, he boycotted
the young man by not giving him any
| more news, and the result was that the
paper had to put somebody else in his place
who would meet with Mr.. Platt's favor.
Is there another politician in the country
able to control newspaper men to such an
extent?
Mr.. and Mrs. Platt live very quietly in a
suite of rooms at the Fifth Avenue hotel.
Mr. Piatt usually leaves the hotel promptly
at o'cock togo to his office down town, and
returns again at o'clock. He is president of
several organizations besides his express
company, and, as his Office is always full
of political callers, it is a mystery how he
accomplishes so much work. he is man
OF tireiess energy, quick and wiry, and
when he returns to his hotel there are
crowds of politicians waiting to talk TO
him, so that between them aud the hour
that he gives every night to the newspaper
men, there is but little time which he can
| call his own. For the last six months the
ex-senator has been the MIST sought after
OF any man in New York.
There are few more devoted couples than
the ex-senator and Mrs Platt. Mrs. Platt
reminds one somewhat of Mrs. John A.
Logan, and, like Mrs. Logan, she takes a
great interest in politics. Her husband has
great confidence in her judgment in poliG-
ical matters. About Mr. Platt's only
amusement is the theater. He and his wife
are inveterate theater-goers. Mrs Platt il
an amateur artist Of considerable merit.
She is also a charming entertainer, and
those who know her say tuat she would
make very popular mistress of the white
house. HARRY WALKER.