New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-05
WHY MR.. PLATT COULD NOTHELP Mr.. GOFF
THE COUNSEL TO THE SENATE INvEsTIGAT-
ING COMMITTEES DESIRED TIE CON
FIRMATloN OF DR.. JENKINS AS
HEALTH orETf>rp

TT. recent visit OF John W Golf to ex-senator
Thomas c. P;stt al the Fifth Avenue Hotei. for the
purpose OF asking Mr.. Plat interfere at Albany
and aid in the confirmation by the State Senate o.
Dr. William T. Jenkins brother-.n-law Of Richard
Croker as Health Officer of the Port of NeT-lork,
was the subject OF not a little comment among poll
ticans yesterday. Many people thought II strange
that Mr. Coz, one Of the avowed enemies of Tam
many Hail. ard conspicuous in the reform ranks
ss the legal adviser Of DR.. Parkhurs should be
found trying to bring Mr.. Plat into something
which had a. least the semb.snce Of deal with
the arch-enemy OF clean politics in New-York, and
there strong disposition to applaud Mr. P.att
for refusing to have any hand Ia the matter When
Mr.. GoT went TO see Mr. Plat and asked him TO
assist him in getting Mr.. Cookers brother-in-law
confirmed. Mr.. Plat expressed great surprise that
one from whom SO much was expected in the COM
ing investiga tons as counse, for the Lexow Senate
Committee should lend himself further a Tam
many Hal, project. especially in which Mr..
Croker himself felt 50 personal an interest.
Il have used whatever influence l have" Alr.
Plat rs quoted as saving TO Mr.. GoH. directly
against the confirmation Of Or. Jenkins. | believe
that the Republican party will win all around next
fa... and how could l consistently withdraw those
objections and consent TO another term for Or.
Jenkins without laying myself liable the charge
that there agreement between Mr. Croker
and myself? The charge has been falsely and
Lciously circulated that there is understanding
between US. BY doing you wish. should simply
be furnishing evidence for the manufacturers OF
these faisehoods. which they would snap at with
avidity. You must pardon me for declining most
positively TO assist your friend"
Mr.. Gof. when yesterday, did deny that
he had called on AIR. Platt and had asked him to
withdraw his objections TO DR.. Jenkinss conflrna-
ton. He explained his request to the ex-senator
by saying that when he Assistant Distrct-At-
torney and DIR. jenkins was Deputy Coroner they be-
came intimately acquainted through official relations
IN homicide and that he had found DIR. Jenkins
q thoroughly efficient and assiduous officer. The
Doctor he said. often went even beyond the mere
calls OF duty and placed himself at Mr.. COTS dis
posal at any hour his presence was needed.
One day last week, Mr.. (ion said he received
urgent message from DIR. Jenkins asking him 10
Mr. Plat and state 10 him what kind OF public
with Mr.. Plat Mr.. Goff represented brief
II stated to Mr.. Plat;." he said. my knowledge
OF Dr. jenkins as man and public officer.
Ny only object in calling Was TO render service
20 deserving gentleman, for such | believe DR..
Jenkins 20 be"
Mr.. Goff said that ne would not contradict any
part of Mr.. Pla.t's statement 10 the la,ter's
reception of the request. and his reply the
81 simply Will not talk about H." Mr.. GoG said.
'Mr Plat treated with entire courtesy and
seemed to appreciate my motive In making tho
request, although he declined II. I admit that
ye declined H. though ii In thoroughly
gentlemanly manner. and 70 which I could
not take any exception"