Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-01
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
The Dangers That Beset Mr.. Hill in
This Campaign.
REPUBLICANS NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY
Fears of What Mr.. Platt May At.
tempt to Do.
HIS AMBITION FOR YEARS

The reports about the New York situation,
whether oral or written, all carry the same
general intelligence Of unusual combina-
tions, and of the confusion and uneasiness
that attend such arrangements. The demo-
Gratis fear this thing, and the republicans
fear that thing, with the result that both
sides. while presenting a confident front
for purposes of supporting public good
cheer. are a prey In their secret councils to
all sorts of apprehensions.
The greatest distractions, as Is well
known. affect The democrats. The divisions
in that party growing out Of the anti-Tam-
many crusade and the nomination of Sena-
tor Hill for governor are serious and far
reaching, and afford opportunities for trad
Ing that are bewildering both in number
and nature. And IL only the half of them
are improved the effect on somebody's for
tunes must be most disastrous.
Hill Between Two Fires.
Senator Hill would appear to be in especial
danger. But he Is man of many re-
sources and may clear himself of all the
difficulties before election day. He stands
between two strong fires. not taking into
account the roaring broadside of the re-
publicans. Some friends of the administra-
ton, who refuse to oppose him, decline to
render him active assistance on the ground
that he Is making local campaign and
national infiueE ces ought not to be brought
to bear; while the Fairchild contingent hold
that he Is making national campaign,
and that. inasmuch as they are opposed to
him for the presidential nomination In 1896
they must help defeat him for the office
which he designs making the stepping
stone to that. So, turn as he may, and try
to pacify as he may and is doing, the out
look for him In any direction is unpromis-
ing, and to a less courageous and expert
enced man would be discouraging.
Some Republican Quarrels.
But 1t Is just leaking out that the repub-
licans also, though supposed to be so en-
thusiastic and unanimous, are having some
spirited quarrels among themselves behind
the scenes, and that ardor in more than
one quarter has somewhat cooled of late
Thomas C. Platt is the cause. The Star
last Saturday referred to this matter, and
there are now some fresh developments.
The prominence of Mr.. Platt in the cam
paign. which cannot be denied or disguised,
is said to be prejudicial to Mr.. Morton in
two ways. 1t Is keeping away from the
Morton standard some anti-Hil democrats.
who fear the existence of secret under
standing between Platt and Hill, and 1t is
giving annoyance to certain republican
leaders, who scout the suggestion of trad
ing Morton off, but who fear that In the
event of Morton's election Mr.. Platt will
at once set to work, with the power and
prestige he will then enjoy, laying wires to
control the next republican convention. 1t
u conceded that Morton would find diffi-
Guilty in denying Platt assistance in such a
game, even II SO disposed. Platt, 1t Is
for governor, and VIII be entitled to much
Of the credit of success IL success is achiev-
ed. And Platt might make certain of the
governors cooperation by holding out to
Morton the hone nf haonrptpp ba
nominee of the convention. That any man
Of Morton's ability, and ambition, and sue
cess could refuse oYertures like these is
not thought to be at all likely by the poll
ticisns, and hence the mingled feelings of
certain prominent New York republicans,
who, though anxious enough to have Nor
ton elected governor, do not see In him a
presidential quantity, and are not disposed
TO aid and abet Mr.. Platt in any of his fine
political work on the national stage.
More Interesting Than Alarming.
THE republican situation, In this phase of
It. is more interesting than alarming" said
q politician of that party to a representative
OF The Star today. Il cannot believe that
Platts relations with Morton will cost the
republican ticket any republican votes but
II is true that some of the local republican
leaders are apprehensive on the subject of
the national question suggested. Platt Is a
remarkably strong man-the Hill Of the re-
publican party, one may say. He is q
thorough man In all that he undertakes,
and far-seeing one. His hold on the or
ganization of his party Is as unshakable
as that of Hill on the democratic party.
With the power he wields from that and
the assistance from the governor, he would
have no sort of difficulty, II he attempted It.
In controlling the New York delegation to
the next republican national convention
How near that would come to enabling him
TO name the presidential candidate 1 should
not care TO say. But it would undoubtedly
make him commanding, IL not a con-
troillns, figure In the convention, and no.
pouy VINO knows the man need be in any
doubt about how he would carry himself"
would he have any selfish purpose of
his own to subserve2' was asked.
PIatts Ambition.
why, of course. That's the point That's
why so many republicans do not want to
help indirectly to forward his national pro-
gram. Platt wants to be Secretary of the
Treasury. He has had his eye on that Office
for ten years. He worked like a Trojan for
Blaine In 1884, I'm the hope of that reward.
and he would probably have received II n
Blaine had been elected. And with Platt In
the cabinet an event might have occurred
which would have given the republican
party great strength. Conkling and Blaine
might have been brought together at last.
Ut least upon the footing of a fair truce In
1888 Platt worked for Harrison with similar
expectation, and Harrison's refusal to make
MIN MS principal OIncer really explains
Platt's appearance at Minneapolis. shouting
and working for Blaine. Here is a third
opportunity, and Platt Is again in the field.
But this time he is working closer to home.
He wants a man In the White House upon
whose friendship and power he can i'm
plicitly rely. Morton is his choice and If
this campaign results In making Morton the
pext President OF the United States Mr..
Platt would likely. at least, secure his COW
sted place He is said to pride himself more
on his business than on his political success.
great as the latter has been, and to desire
above all things to crown his public career
with the treasury portfolio. So, you see.
national concerns enter into the campaign
on both sides IN New York. Hill and Platt
are both suspected of aiming at the presi-
dency, the former for himself and the latter
for Mr.. Morton"