Morning journal and courier., 1892-09-05
MIR. PLATT TALKS.

He Will Do His Duty-He Disclaims
Being a Boss-A Conference With
President Harrison-Mr. Plat and
His Friends to Work for the Success
OF Republican Principles.
NEW YORK, Sept. 4-The New York
Herald tomorrow will publish an inter
view with ex-United States Senator Thorn
as G.. Platt. Replying to the interviewer's
questions, Mr.. Platt admitted that he had
talked frankly before the Minneapolis con-
vention, but stated that he had moth
ing to take back and nothing to
regret. He said: "T did then what
thought was my duty to the repub-
licans of the country. I am going to do
what think is my duty now. We live in
a land where the majority rules. The ma
jority did not agree with me at Minneapo-
lis. did my best to beat the president,
but he had more votes than the other can
didater. He is the nominee. 1 am a repub-
lican. was republican in 1866; have
been republican every hour of every day
from then until this minute, never falter-
ing in my support of republican principles
and republican candidates, no matter
whether the candidates were men of my
choice or not. The aims and policies and
characters of parties in this country have
to undergo a wonderful change before /
shall be anything than republican" Mr..
Plat admitted he had been rather quiet
since the convention, but said he did not
been q source of much solicitude among
the presidents friends. Continuing, he
said:
"It would be the shallowest kind of pre-
tence for me to claim that was not dis
appointed by the result at Minneapolis
My friends and my enemies have generally
agreed L think, in charging me with strong
feelings, and l fancy they are right. I do
not get over such disappointment as 1
had at Minneapolis in twenty four hours,
and confess there has been in my mind q
grave question whether it was my duty to go
into this campaign with the activity have
usually put forth. do not know that there
has been man in this state and perhaps
in the world, who has been more roundly
and indecently abused than I. In so far as
this comes from democratic and mugwump
sources l expect it and am ready for it;
but when 1 spend day and night in
the service of the republican party
doing what l can to promote the
success of its candidates without thought
or hope or expectation of Office or regard,
it seems little hard that should have to
take from republicans what democrats
even are ashamed to give me. I suppose
the enemy and perhaps some of our sincerer
friends will think it vastly funny when l
tell you 1 am not boss, that 1 do not
want to be, and that my actions in occs-
sionally undertaking to direct republican
methods and policies and in urging can
didates and recommending persons for
Office are dictated solely by what conceive
to be the interests and necessities of party
and public welfare. But that is true.
"Doubts were raised in my mind after
the Minneapolis convention how far my
services were desired by those who seemed
then to be in charge of Mr.. Harrison's
campaign. I heard that some persons
were representing to him that all the mis-
fortune the republican party had ever
undergone in New York were to be at
tributed directly to me and that it would
be good politics for him to let it be under
stood that he wished to have nothing te
do with bosses Certainly, had no de-
sire to obstrude myself upon the president
nor to force myself into the conduct OF
his campaign if was not wanted. AS tn,
facts have proved, was probably ovel
sensitive. l waited to hear from Presi
dent Harrison. Some people said
waited to hear from him reques
to take Office; that I waited t.
make sordid bargain; that ]
stood like a road agent. These were lies
and were among the meanest and mos
| irritating, most painful and hurtful lies
have ever had to endure. President Har
! rison, like all men in high power, has
great number of fool friends more or les
close to him. These creatures are in
separable from high political station. Som
! are very artful as well as silly, and from
some tho quality of malice is not wanting
But he has, too, large number o
friends closely attached to him
terest, men who profoundly admire hin
and profoundly love the party he leads
They probably told the president 1 was no
as bad as these imaginative people hat
painted me, but was furnished with tina
measure of self-respect which ought to b
the equipment of an American citizen
that loved the republican party more thai
I liked him, and that my pref udices agsine
him, like those he entertained against me
| were due in large measure to missppre
hension. At all events it was indicated t
me that the president would be glad to sc
me. So went to see him. He met m
l COIolnAy.
"Won't you give some idea of the COZ
versation?" was asked.
sit was not talk on petty personal il
Sues" Mr.. Platt replied. 'The president
remarks were those of a broad-mindet
fair minded, sensible man, who had til
right view of the dignity of his Office,
view that the American people admire an
sustain. Much was said of his forthcon
ing letter of acceptance and of the mann,
and method in which he proposed to trei
the Issues between the parties. We wei
over the more important publ
questions such as the tariff, fnan'
and fair elections and the mai
ner in which our principles
to those questions should be placed ar
kept before the people. We talked of Il
state of New York and of the condition
. the republican party here, of what W
necessary to bring out its full strength al
to render it most effective on Eclectic
, day." Mr.. Platt in conclusion said b
7 friends throughout the state would hear
!, ly support the national party.
Destructive Fire.