New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-08
SENT FROM THE CAPITAL.


the Democratic ring abandoning his Elmira
home and casting about for a new residence and
a new field OF local activity, could find no soil
half so congenial we'll adapted as this to
the revival OF those peculiar political practices
which he had long ago made Infamous. even in
Chemung. Mr.. Hills entry into the local politi-
cal quickly followed by the disruption
and downfall Of the offensive and arrogant Dem
ocratic machine, dominated by his old antag-
onist Judge Herrick and the disintegration Of
the once powerful Albany Democracy into two
impotent. though hostile. minority factions.
TRICKERY THAT DISRUPTED THE PARTY.
Had similar divisions on the Republican side not
existed for some years back the similarly disrup-
tive leadership OF Mr.. Platt through his chosen
lieutenant here, William Barnes, would have
preciptated them with equal celebrity. Under so
prebosterous a local manager painfully incapable
and zealously though unintelligently devoted to
the methods and theories of the HllPlatt school
Of notifies no genuinely united or effective Re-
nubIican organization in this county has been
| possible Up to date. indeed, there has been lit
,le IN distinguish the methods and practices OF
| the local Republican machine from those or the
dIscredited Herrick Democracy. or the rival
minority faction led by Senator Hill. Buster,
violence and trickery have been the earmarks OF
| Mr. Barness policy, and 1t Is not IN the least
surprising TO find the most intelligent and pro-
gressive elements in the party now openly cnai-
| Longing a recent fragrant usurpaton OF party
authority by Mr.. Barnes. and Indignantly repu-
dating the shabby piece OF sharp practice by
which through snap" caucuses held July 20.
the local boss" has forestalled all anti-machine
| o,nos,tion and elected an ostensbly regular
platt-Rarnes delegation to the State conven-
tior which Is 10 meet at Saratoga on Septem-
| Der II.
The "snap" primary elections Of July 20 the
validity of which is to be contested by the local
| anti-machine forces were a piece OF political
trickery highly credtable to Mr.. Barnes's genius,
and throw a food OF light on the political Ideals
which he has steadily set before him. L nave
no principles simply take orders. Is said TO De
the motto which Mr.. Barnes has chosen 10 IL
| illuminate his political progress. and the states
man. next to Mr.. Plat, in whose Footsteps ne
seeks 70 follow most closely is understood 10 be
tho senior limited States Senator from New-York
tho Nano,eonic contriver and patentee Of the Ill
fated "Mdwinter Convention" of February, lSsZ
THE REVOLT AGAINST PLATTs AGENT.
Mr. Rarnes has been for several years the rep
| resentative OF this county and Congress district
on the Republican State Committee, and has in all
that time been accepted as the exclusive autnor-
| lied local agent OF Mr.. Platt's personal machine
rh,s onen delegation of authority and responsible
itv had naturally fortified Mr.. Barnes In the opin
ion that his dictatorship In party a1airs would
not be seriously disputed within the lines OF the
Republican organization here. To his great sur
prise last fall when the primary elections Tor
delegates TO the state Convention were concluded.
Mr. Barnes found himself threatened with deposi-
ton from leadership in this district through the
loss OF his place on the new state Committee
| Three ~ the four Assembly districts OF the county
had been carried by the element In the party OPP
nosed 70 Mr.. Platt's methods and policy and
Barnes's overthrow at the State Convention
seemed inevitable Beaten at home, the youthful
Committeeman turned to Mr.. Platt for assistance
and that veteran and not highly scrupulous cam
| paIgner soon found a characteristic way out OF
the difficulty. BY his instructions Mr.. Barnes
| trumped ND ground OF contest against the dele
gates chosen in one of the Assembly districts car
ried nv the opposition and sent a rival Barnes
delegation TO Saratoga The Committee on Gre
d.ntia,s hacked by Mr.. Plat and his friends
then made short shrift Of the legally elected dele
pates and seated the contestants. This arbitrary
and Offensive abuse OF power enabled Mr.. Barnes
to divide the county delegation OF twenty-five
with his opponents. and thus to prevent the
choice OF any Committeeman. The vacancy re-
sulting was left to be filed by the committee it.
SELF and Mr. Barnes was subsequently reinstalled
as aeort OF "hod-over.
FOLLOW HILLS FOOTSTEPS.
This year. to avoid similar perils TO his own
candidacy as we'll to prevent the possible loss
OF a portion OF the countys vote to Mr.. Platt.
Mr. Barnes and the regular leaders here
solved to follow Mr. Hills temporarily successful
but ultimately disastrous tactics OF 1892 and catch
the opposition mapping Suddenly. In the dead of
summer preconcerted agitation was started.
nominally In the interest OF John Palmer's candi-
dacy for denomination az Secretary OF State. but
really as a cloak to hide the motives OF Barnes
and his followers in precpitating midsummer
convention. A meeting was held. at which some
speeches commencing Mr.. Palmers candidacy
were sprung upon a somewhat perplexed audi
ence. Resolutions were also passed requesting