New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-16
TALKS ABOUT THE SO-CALLED PETITION.
MR. PLATT SAYS HE KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT IT



AZ the clubs the hotels ana all places where poll
ticans congrcgate the general topic Of conversation
Yesterday was the action Of those friends of exscna-
tor Thomas c. Platt Mr.. Plat, when seen BY re-
porter yesterday, said That he could say nothing
about the matter beyond the fact that no had been
told that the paper not petition, but letter OF
commendation written by one man, which several
others had approved Otherwise his information con-
corning II came from the newspapers.
Many of tho Presidential Electors who went from
New.York to Albany 10 have found their stay so
agreeable that they decided 10 remain there day or
two longer. Several OF them, however, who reached
town yesterday wero seen by Tribune reporter and
asked as 10 their opinion Of the matter They were
disposed TO DO somewhat retleent, but It was learned
that tho famous petition or letter OF In
dorsemont was signed by fourteen members.
Ldspensrd stewart said several gentlemen spoke
10 ne about signing paper recommending Mr.. Plat
for the position nf Secretary OF the Treasury In Pres-
dent HaFrison's Cabinet and the other electors were
also requested to sign IT, do not know how many
signatures were obtained, but do know that per
sonally declined TO sign IT. on tho ground that any
thing signed at Albany on January Ia would carry
not only my individual Endorsement, but my indorse-
ment as an elector. My duty was to attend inc
Elec toral College, to vote for Harrison and Morton,
and TO 20 homo. II the Endorsement had bcen re
ouested for any one else would have made the same
answer This is all care TO say about the Natter
Brayton Ives defined his position in these words !:
asked Mr. Lspenard Stewart to thank the president
OF the Fort Orange Club for the invitation 10 attend
their reception and then took the quarter OF
O'Clock trsIn for New.York In the senate Cnamner
while the college was IN session gentleman OF nfu-
encc and high standing brought to me petition.
recommending his appointment 20 foreign mission
and asked me to sign It declined because did not
wish to have General Harrison think that because
I had voted for him as an eicctor ns' an
idea that had any claim on him. have uniformly
declined TO Sign similar papers for the same reason
and YOU are at liberty to draw your own Inference
az 10 whether I would or would not have signed
,ho I,dor~ment Of ex-senator piatt II II had been
prcsented to mc' william I3rockheld, ono OF the
reunited sgners Of tho paper expressed his views as
follows. a wish II distinctly understood that have
signed no papers fayoring any one In my capacity as
e,ect,r would cheertully sign any petition
recommending Mr.. Plat to Office In my Individual
capacity
James s. T. stranahan said: al attended the rcccp-
tlon OF the Fort Orange Club, but saw no paper
and aid not know that such paper was circulated
.,,sonrh heard the subject mentioned incidentally
IN Tho afternoon, after we had adjourned signed
M naner myself My impression. from what have
sesn IN the newspapers, and what have heard, Is
that II was the purpose Of the sgners 10 avoid eo-
initials as mcmbers Of the Electoral college, |uuse
that those gentlemen who signed, Is see by The
newspapers did 30 altogether outside OF their omcia
position"
william II. Towpley said: 1T see by paper
Of Yesterday that Robert s. Greacen is reported 10 have
aaid: Il signed the petition under misappre-
hension. / did not know It's character
william H. Townley, OF New-fork, sho'hel
saad ne 10 sign IT, He had the paper turned over s.
Ist eon not read what at It's head said {.
him Dlly ia this al rightlp and he sad ~ was anu
nun nun, ,snsd hut shall take of my name, for
do not think it proper for US 70 sign such pspcr
Now wish TO say that thc letter MI sisht
ss not brought to him by me- lie knew all about u
and came to me voluntarily q. the REQUEST on another
20 bat he could not see what was at its head IL
remarked that he did not care 70 read H. rs ne knew h
M, have not been on such terms of intimacy witt
Mr. Grescen social or otherwise tnat ne should eal
70 ' sign papers Of which he knows nothing ON my -
ss.arr. AT ~ IA All rght.'b