New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-25
PLATT PLEDGES HIMSELF.
sUccNCT ANSWER TO A DEMOCRAT.

HIS uNAMBIGUoUs POSITION on THE BLANKET
BALLOT QUESTION.
II anywhere there yet fingers doubt as to T. c.
Patts attitude upon the blanket ballot question: the
following letters ought to extingdsh it, The first Is
written by John Brooks Leavtt. stanch Democrat
who hes not been hoodwinked into supporting what nc
aptiy calls that gang of political pirates" Iammahy
Hail. in the fol owing words he asks Mr.. Piatt 10
pledge himself TO blanket ballot without pasters':
To the Hon. Thomas c. Plat.
Sir y large number OF Democrats IN THIS StSte INV
themselves in great perplexity as 20 how they snail
vote this fan upon the Issues presented by Ine t"S
parties. / learn, in conversation with nu9iDer Oh
friends and acquaintance, that they are troubled w
the same considerations which tr0up.e me. We haVo
o Inc So9 s or of the stSe We believe in and
have fought for the Australian ballot TO wit blanhe.
defeated mainly by the midget statesman VINO nap
pens for years TO have been peched on te cue
of the eubernaorial chair in this state lie mas DeH
deity aided by politicians Of both parties VINO VILE
they wish have the appearance Of defrr1g to PnOHc
machine 10 defeat the puhlic Will a. ,o.. r,o4.
Il has pleased The Republican party IN 10; last pilt
FORM TO declare itself In favor of the blanket ballot
II has pleased the Democratic party In us last par
form 10 declare sef sginst t SRa' bv O'tD at
term the organization known as Tammany n ini
is y aSa @ as Sfooed 's Into lending
II their countenance by membership or supPort,moIe
sen p Of the as S aGs sS n this State Unless they
can he pitched overheard they will surely scutte OF
proper ballot for years do not propose 70 give up the
6 h 4a even 9ds3 crew S s2 ee nsn e We
do not feel the force of the arguments OF Mr. Cleve
our vote in the present an we should have
an eye to its effect upon the national campaign Of
1892. We believe that state issues are paramount
Nor do we think that the issue as to which party
killed the Worlds Fair is one which should occupy
for a moment the attention Of sensible men. No
issue IS Aereore left lor our conSideaiion but that
declared in favor of it, the Democratic party having
Republican candidate. but for this consideration we
ietr the Greeks bearing gifts We are aware that
the Australian ballot; but also Mindful that
Governors only power is to sign such bills as come
into the Legislature OF any bill in order that he
redeem an ante-election. pledge. We also bear in
mind that party platform is too often treated as
functus oic when 1t has served its purpose of cap
Hence neither the declarations Of Mr. Fassett Of
platform are SUFFICIENT to warrant US in casting our
Governor in the chair Who viii sign such bill we may
hope to have members Of The Legislature Will intro
BY these reflections to aspect OF the where You
come into view. We confronted by the fact that
Legislature in the hollow of your hands This may not
be so YOU may not have any power or influence WIN
estimation supposed TO have. Consequently, your
position as to ballot reform Is factor Ench We think
must take into our consideration when deciding how
Yon may feel that as private citizen holding no
Office you not called upon to express any opinion
in party, success It is not much question how
You feel as how we feel If you are the power behind
respOnsbIles which power entails. Your public utter
upon the subject therefore properly be asked
For WHEN reSions y a. private 'e eseD holding al
legiance - principle above party addresses yon,
and asks your to give public answer to the following
Mr. Fassett shall be elected TO the Governorship
will you all the influence which you may possess in
latnre and passed bill embodying the Australian bal
lOt system to wit the blanket ballot without pastors ?"
II You will publicly pledge yourself TO do this in
sincere, frank. manly fashion yon will probably Gala
of mon who doubtful TO how they shall cast
their sufLrages. IT, on the other hard refuse to
undoubted prerOgative private citizen, remain
SILENT If You shall answer in hesitatlng. uncandld
ambiguous manner, then their fear Of the Greeks
bearing gifts viii be greatly increased. and the arr
ment. to the effect Of the present election upon the
in all probability they viii march to the poles and cast
their votes for the pirates candidate, albeit sullenly
''N JOHN BROOKS LEAvITT.
New-York Oct. o. 1891.
And this is Mr. Platts straightforward and anam-
biguous answer, firmly pledgns himself to do all he
can for the blankct-ballOt:
To Mr. John Brooks Leavitt
My Dear Sir: Replying to yonr favor Of even date
herewith, | beg 10 il would TO be almost
superfuous and absurd for me 10 make reply to the
gueonon eIn'dcu III {UI tn Stt w VEIL rs
sentiments the particular subject 70 which yOn
party has been battling ioi Just what you ana your
friends striving for for TWO three years, and
by the Vaccinations Of the present Governor Of the
State. There is no man in this state, be he Repnb
IN his desire Introduce into the Legislature and pass
"a bill emhodying the blanket ballot without Iasers'
direction for three years Last past will be in the
next Legislature. which. feel confdent, will be thor
oughly in accord with these sentiments
New-l0rk. oct. 23, 1891. #. c. PLATT.