New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
7. c. PLATT AND HIS CRITICS.
HE REPLIES TO THOSE WHO HAVE SAID
HARSH THINGS ABOUT HIM.
NOT A CANDIDATE FOR ANY OFFICE - SIMPLE
AN EARNEST. Loyal. REPu uBTIcAN. WHO
BELIEVES IN WORKING EARLY AND
LATE FOR THE PARTYs

LATE FOR THE PARTYs
PRINCIPLES
Ex-senator Thomas C. P1tt said last night
that the agitation which had been going on In
the Republican party during the last week need
not cause anybody anxiety.
ION the contrary" he continued. "it will have
a good effect 1t will bring about a better un-
derstanding in the minds of Republican voters
all over the State to and affairs In New
York City. knew. of course. that II I should
venture to say anything on the subject Of re-
organization 1t would crea te a new outcry about
'bossism But nobody Is deceived by that sort
Of nonsense. II Is the in navitabe reply OF men
who think that their personal ends or ambitions
are not being and not going to be served.
II had stated that Colonel Bliss and his friends
were doing a good thing by their movement,
they would have called me a 'sagacious leader.'
When say that they doing mistaken thing
they naturally retort that I boss They
call me 'meddler' and say have right to :
express my opinion in this local affair. Why.
then. did Mr.. BrOokfeld. acting In their behalf,
bring me their plan of enrolment and ask me -
sign it, If had the right to approve It, had
equal right to condemn it, II is not difficult
to understand plain folks like them. BY boss
and 'meddler' they mean one who differs with
one who agrees with them. That's all there is
to II. .
Every body understands my position I am
not a candidate for Governor; I not
dldate for United States Senator; | am not Z
seeker for any office. elective or appointve. I
am simply a Republican, man who believes in
the principles Of the Republican party who loves
to serve that party. and who has no other am
bition than to live and die with the harness on.
My critics the other hand. candidates
sparrng for position. If they think 1t will help
them to malign me a rebel and traitor
they are welcome to their opinion. They may go
ahead on that line. and wish them JOY Of the
result. But 1t Is time to express the idea that
they not the men on whom the party relies
for aid in critical emergencies. They have trav-
eled far enough on that bogus reputation. cam
not say. OF course, what any one Of them would
do for the party fall If he its candi-
date for Governor; but I tell 10 a figure
what he will do II any else than himself IL
the candidate He will do just what he always
has done-practically nothing.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST FALL
I'VE had an election last fall. There was pre-
sented to us what every sagacous politician
recognized to be an unparalleled opportunity
and serious duty. We Of the State and ad-
visory committees endeavored to impress this
view upon the wealthy Republicans Of this city
who are now 50 active in reorganizng US We
sent letters asking them to meet and give US
the benefit OF their advice and help. AT the first
meeting, out OF twenty-five persons invited, three
present, and nothing was accomplished.
At the second meeting. out OF fifty invited seven
were present and one of them gave us $500.
Our persistent appeal for the 1000 necessary to
send our paster ballots TO the voters OF this
single city resulted in obtaining from them no
more than the sum of s.. 500, and all the rest OF
the money needed for this and the other neces.
sary expens IS of the can.paign we Of the COM
mttee We're compelled to raise without their
aid or encOura cement Colonel George Bliss, for
example to whom personally appealed declined
10 subscribe anything t. the State campaign on
the ground that his contribution must be con-
fined 10 his Assembly district in order TO
send Mr. Sheffield to the Legislature. We ac-
cepted this excuse. supposing Of course, that he
and Mr.. Cornelius y. Bliss. who lives in the same
Assembly district. would pay all the necessary
expenses of Mr. Snetlied's campaign. Later on
Mr. Sheitieds election appeared 10 be in jeopardy.
An appeal was made to me and the State Conn
mittee for relief. In response TO that appeal
furnished 800 AMI the State Committee 500
II ore.
THE SAME STATE OF AFFAIRS IN 1856.
"Nor is their relation to last falls campaign
singular. In 1885, when Mr.. Davenport was q
candidate for Governor-a gentleman who was
not particularly friend of mine. but largely
their own choice-they promised to raise from
among the membership of the Union LeagIe
club $4,000. They raised paltry $4,000 and Mr.
the rest. In 1886 ana 1857 their contributions
amounted to nothing. In the Fassett campaign
of 1891 they gave the State Committee about
So 500 They not the men Who when the party
is in distress and when the enemy is arrogant
and confident, come warmly forward To bear the
brunt Of the battle. But how bravely they
camor when it is done. Ii it Is lost. how bit-
terly they denounce those Of us who have done
our very best. If it is won. how quickly they
press forward to lead the triumph
Now. what is IL that have done TO call
forth their noiy demonstrations? Why.
have given encouragement To a great body or
young earnest and enthusiastic Republicans who
have organized in this county 10 support the
Republican party. | have commended the work
that these young men are doing TO get at that
vast body Of voters who comprise the working
people OF the city. and whose support Is nee.
essary TO our success this fall, and Is ours IL
only have the good sense to seek It,
took this step not because needed new
organza ton for any purposes Of mine. but be-
cause | considered 1t nv duty to the Republic
can party to applaud movement so full Of
promise
1T is laughable to hear this chorus Of candi-
dates crying out that l am trying to build up
IN organization Of my own Do lack friends In
he old organization? Do they suppose they can
not be found? What difference do they
think II makes to me who reorganizes the party
here. how it is reorganized? | might take
Judge Russelrs kindly advice and go of to the
Antipodes while the Committee of Thirty COM
pletes its enrolment and forms its new County
Committee. and on my return II would be
found that on poll OF the committee
large majority were my real and ready friends.
And why? Why. because. stated moment
igo the Republicans Of this State know. de-
spite all this Mugwump cackie and Democratic
abuse. that ! am not a self-seeking politician:
hat am not n candidate for Governor; or
United States Senator. or anything else; that
nm simply man who believes in the Republican
party who has supported II day In and day out,
,ear in and year out. for two generations. and
who will support II until the day Of my DEATH
How can anybody hurt me?
This is my answer to these clamorous candi.
iates Let them go ahead let them organize
eorga nize sift and select until they have made
he membership Of their faction. man for man.
he exact membership of the Union League Club,
md even then they Will not be able 10 carry q
Jingle proposition hurtful to my influence with
he Republicans of NewYork And as for tho
lew local organization formed at the Cooper Un-
on | say now, I said before. II Is a good
hing It will greatly benefit the party and tt
aser,es the epcOura cement of nYerY Renuhli.