The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-24
TOM PLATT.
Pen Picture of the Boss
New York Republican.
Holland in philadelphia Press.


ties are those OF the real political bogey
man. His personality which is set up as
the type OF all that is vicious, unworthy
demoralizing, insincere, and even brutal in
our political life. Many persons have beer
convinced by the iteration of these charges
That Mr.. Platt is almost a political fiend
and that his methods are the methods OF
those who are constantly undermining tn,
political l. orals OF the people. Yet in spite
OF these charges, now for fifteen years
made with all the fierceness OF accom-
plfshec pens and speech, Mr.. Platt stand.
pre-eminent, and during the past year
has so managed TO take advantage OF the
popular feeling that he seems to have led
II, mastered IL, compelled 1t TO serve him,
whereas, he is, in fact, really no more
tban its most conspicuous exponent.
Those who imagine Mr.. Platt as sat-
urnine, grim and dismal person, with set
lips and fixed eyes and a constant glare or
scowl, would be amazed and amused as
we'll II they could be thrown with him
at time when he feels free to let his boy
ish spirit have its way.
Mr.. Pratt Is a real lover OF pranks, n
man Who can play joke and who can
take one, man whose observant eye is as
ksenly directed toward the humorous
things that are to be seen upon the streets
OF New York as was Dickens in London.
lie can tell funny story with unctuous
delight, and even in those miserable days
IN the Senate when he was suffering from
strain such as he never will experience
| again be found genial relaxation in study
ing the comical attitudes of little Malone
with his lace frilled coat and petticoated
skirts and trousers, balloon shaped at the
knees, and laced at the ankle.
| He is unlike Lord Beaconsfield in one
respect, for the Enlish politician used to
say that he did not care for the mimic
drama, since he found all the entertain
ment that he desired upon the stage of
life. Mr. Platt is fond both OF the foot
lights and the fun that goes on behind
them, and he also gets as keen relish from
mis- observance of the whims, the fancies
and the oddities of men and the play of
their passions as ever Beaconsfield did
But he really led double life from 1881,
because while he plunged into business he
was planning those things which We're to
regain for him his lost influence and to
bring 1t back at compound interest. His
business engagements were many. Besides
the development of the express company of
which he Is president, he had other cakes
baking. He became associated with those
who were developing properties In the
South. He allied himself with some of those
who had railway interests In the North. He
took some direction of mining affairs. He
became, and right in the midst of an ex-
citing political contest, too, one of the
receivers OF the New York & New Eng
land property, and he has lately associat-
ed himself with that very powerful group
OF capitalists who expect to make of
Niagara tanned and subservient thunder
cloud which shall aid the commerce and
manufacture OF New York State.
All this time Mr.. Platt was again culti-
vating politics, turning from business
vocations that would have staggered most
men to his political purposes as easily as
some men go from their offices to their |
yachts, their stables, or their conserva-
tories. So in one sense with Mr.. Platt |
politics was nothing more than recrea-
ton; In another sense, IL was to be fol-
lowed by him so that an honorable pride
which had been grievously wounded
should be abundantly healed, ana, of
course, SO that there could be felt that
sense OF power which is the bottom prin-
ciple of most political action.
Here is man whose manner is deceptiye.
because 1t suggests disposition which he
|
man in New York city, and in
this power OF sustained and intense appli-
cation and the capacity TO concentrate all
ais powers upon whatever he has i'm hand
are 10 be found the chief sources of his sue
cess, both in business and politics. Yet men
have been presented to him In bis office
have seen him turn with,eRsy grace in his
chair, say few soft spoken
words and with the mannsrism OF indo-
ence, sometimes almost as though il
ired him TO speak, even tired him to |
wink; and these persons have come away
where man with such perfect
In air oil ennui stores away the energy
which is necessary for the accomplis hment
" all that he does.
bst TINS Is only mannerism; not even
IN aifectation. He has supreme art of
aking things easy. lie knows how to ,
Ilstniss the fancies of busy brain so that
leep comes when he touches the pillow ,
lie knows where and when to take things
asy, where and when TO be amused. and ,
low to avoid all nervous friction. ,
sometimes at one OF the down town I
estaurants OF the humber sort we see n ,
ompany OF two or three men come I'm. | q
nd one of them, jerking his thumb over =
is shoulder, points to an inconspicuous =.
ian, his derby hat thrust back upon his 4
cad, his long, thin legs twisted about
he stool on which he is seated, his elbows ;
ouching his neighbor's upon either side. r
D closely packed are the lunchers, and be .
imself slowing away generous piece of y
umble roast beef, with mas he'd potatoes
nd plenty of gravy, jorum OF ale flank
ig the plate, and the man eating with
ne zest which healthy appetite, quiet Il
onscience and iron nerves always give.
hen the man who has pointed with his
numb will say: " See, that's Tom Platt.
@ comes in here almost every day and u
ITS As happy with a curbstoue broker at n
Is side ss he would N be was lunc hing at o
ie Lawyers Club u
II is an interesting picture OF Mr.. Plett "
hich Is 10 be seen at tue hotel where no "
akes his winter home. lie strolls into a.
ne foyer just after breakfast, thrusts ont n
hat seems TO be a listless hand 10 a score VI
more OF persons as they come up, leans 7,
lth sort of graceful Incidence against y
ne oi the marble pillars, pulls his hat IL
al. NFna assIN ~.