New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-15
IN BEHALF OF T. C. PLATT.
URGED FOR A CABINET POSITION.
TWENTY OF THE THIRTY.sI SIX PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTORS SAID TO HAVE SIGNED PIE.
TITIoN IN FAVOR OF MR. PLATr's
APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY OF
THE TREASURY.
fBr rELEGRArH rO TnE rMBUNE. |


Albany n Y. Jan. 14.-The Republican Presi-
dental electors had surprising experience at
the Fort Orange Club tonight where a recep-
ton was given 10 them. One of the electors
is Clinton d. MacDougall of Auburn, Cayuga
County. He went about among his fellow-elect-
ors with paper containing petition to Presi-
dent-elect Harrison asking him to appoint ex-
Senator Thomss c. Platt, Of New-York as Sec
retary of the Treasury. Mr. MacDougall asked his
fellow-electors TO sign the petition. Mr. Richard
son, of Middletown. Orange County when asked
at midnight about the result of Mr.. MacDougalps
work said
think nc obtained twenty signatures to tie
petition from the electors. We were told about
the petition early to-day and some then signed il,
but others did not sign until they had fulfilled
their duties as electors Then thev felt free to
act as private citizens. l signed it among others
because think highly of Mr.. Platt and consider
him worthy of the Office TO which he aspres.
Warner Miller has been mentioned for the same
place. but | and others who signed the paper un-
derstand that Mr. Miller prefers to be re-
elected as United States Senator when the
term Of Mr.. Evarts expires in 1891.
BESIDES. Mr. Evarts may prefer a diplomatic po-
sition. and thus the way be opened to Mr.
Miller's return sooner TO tue Senate. | hope
they viii not send the petition to General IIar-
rison unless there is practical unanimity on the
part o. the electors in Mr.. PlatCs favor; but
as / have said over twenty of the thirty-six
electors signed it, and have no doubt that most
Of them will do sO.'
Have William H. Seward and james S. T.
Stranalan. the electors-at-hrge, signed the pc
titon2 p inquired The Tribune correspondent
No. they have not.' replied Mr.. Richardson,
because Mr. Seward intends TO write letter to
General Harrison asking for Mr. Patt's appoint
ment and Mr.. Stianahan will sign that Daper.'
What attitude did the New-YOrk and Brooklyn
electors taker
/ understand that all in that section OF the
State signed the petIton,7 replied MIR. kcnardson,
and that most OF those in the central ana western
part OF the State signed IL also.
A. NJ Patterson, OF Geneva, another OIL the
electors, said " / dc not believe that over ten
signatures were obtained 70 that petition in Mr..
Phtts favor. declined TO sign IL, not because
OF any hostility 70 Mr.. Plat, but because did
not think had right as an elector to sign
such a paper. | was not elected by the Repub-
lican party 70 take any such position and
felt that | would be bameworthy II had done
so. / should have refused TO sign 1t II 10 had
Miller 10 the same position, beoausclI would have
felt a. Ia Air Platts case that l had no right
thus "a take the position OF an adviser OF
General Harrison on so delicate matter, and to
Tui myrell lorNaru 10 represent IN hfpupnchbS
OF New-iori, on an appointment of that nature,
When they had mercy chosen me 10 represent
them as an elcctOrp
Robert y. Greacen. OF New-Y0rk ono OF the
signcrS said late last night signed the petition
under misapprehcnsIon. did not know its
character william H. Townlcy, OF New-Yorlx,
another elector. brought me the petition and
paper turned over so that i could not read what
WIS M SIS head | said TO him, Billy, is this
al right p and he said il was and then l signed
But shall take of my name, for | do not think
Il proper for US 10 sign such paper
Llspenard Stewart also n Now York elector
and secretary Of The Electoral College, to-day
said: Il did not sign the petition. and Colonel
Edward A. McAlpin OF the Westchester district
tells me l4 did not sign it,
Among the electors who reported 10 have
signed the Platt petition were Read Benedict,
j. Thomas Stearns, William II. Towney, Philp
Becker, Andrew b. Rogers William Brookhed,
William T. Richardson Clinton d. MacDougall and
Ileniamin FlaRier