New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-04
THE SINKING PLATr SHIP.
CAPTAIN AND CREW BECOMING DIS
HEARTENED.


HEARTLNED.
SENATOR oCoNNOR HOWEVER ADMITS THAT HE
Is WILLING TO GO DOWN WITH THE OLD
MAN'-UNFoUNDED REPORTS ABOUT
AN ATTEMPT AT RESCUE BY
WARNER MILLER.
Alarming reports were in circulation yesterday
about Thomas c. Flats physical condition.
They made 1t appear tina. he was still suffering
from the effects of the bau water he imbibed in
Albany a week or 80 age which. it was said,
had so undermined his constitution that he was
in a condition bordering on nervous prostration.
But politicians and others who went to see him
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel during the day and
evening yesterday found that that not what
was the matter with him. Mr.. Plat was down
in the corridors meeting and comforting with
friends regarding various matters. and looking
not much the worse from his recent illness. II
was generally admitted before the politicians
had dispersed that 1t was not nervous prostra-
ton that threatened Mr. Plat, but political col
lapse
Republicans Of all sorts, Plat. anti-Patt. and
few who prefer TO remain on the fence for the
present congregated in the spacious apartments
on the ground floor Of the hotel, sat on the
Portable bIue-pIu sofas. and gossiped about the
probable outcome Of Mr.. Platts attempt to con-
troll the city and the State. Among those at the
hotel some Of whom saw Mr.. Flat In his private
rooms were State Senators Baxter T. Smelzer,
Frank W Higgins and Joseph MulIin. Assembly
men William Hapin and Seth Wiks. c. w. Hack
EFT. chairman Of the Republican State Commit
tee; Congressman-elect b. y. Odell, jr., chairman
Of the State Executive Committee; Lou Payn,
hal r
cobus and jeremiah Pangburn, Of the IXth Dis
trict; A. g. Boardman, OF the law firm Of Tracy.
Boardman & Plat; Inspector-General F. c. Nc
I.ewee OF the National Guard; George W. Wan
maker Platt leader Of the XVIIIth District; Rob
ert A. Greacen Plat leader OK the XVIII District;
ex-Postmaster Cornelius Van Colt, Plat leader
Of the With District; the notorious The Allen,
now a henchman OF Mr. Van Colts and stanch
Plat man; Police Justice c. w. Meade. state
Committeeman Frank s Wtherbee, John y.
Drake Dwight A. Lawrence, one OF Mr.. Platts
most valuable skrmishers, and Commissioner
William Brookfed. OF the Department Of Public
Works
Commissioner Brookfield and Mr. Plat did not
meet yesterday, but Commissioner and Mr..
Platt's right-hand man. Lou" Payn, had a con-
versation, which some Of the anxious seekers for
peace. harmony and spoils speedily converted
into conference of mammoth proportions which
might result in sweeping away all the obstacles
which stand between the Plat men and the
offices in Mr. Brookfeld's department. 1t is
hardly necessary to say that there was nothing
in the conference" story. Whatever desires Mr..
Payn may have expressed he got nothing from
Commissioner Brookfed that will commit the
latter TO any schemes Of either Plat or Payn.
NO COMFORT FOR THEM.
arpiic ants
for comfort who crowded about him yesterday
anything that afforded them consolation. on
the contrary. he was obliged 10 admit that every
plan which has been devised to win from Mayor
Strong by strategy what the Plat faction lost
by it's perndy has failed to work. Colonel Strong
remains firm as a rock and refuses to be coaXed,
cajoled or frightened from the plain path OF duty.
Nothing had been gained in the way OF securing
a division Of patronage on political lines.
Mr. Patt was also obliged to admit that the
scheme which he had originated and which was
revealed in the Brookield-Lauterbach interview
at the Republican Club on Thursday night had
also come to naught. just as The Tribune mar
rated the next morning.
There were abundant evidences Of augmented
disappointment and hopelessness in the Patt
camp last night There were also rumors OF a
speedy disntegration and early breakup Of the
Plat forces Indications Ot a desire on the part
II Platt's followers TO leave the sinking ship
came from all parts Of the city and state.
oCONNORs RARE DEVOTION.
Senator O'Connof. Of Binghamton. is one Of
the men. however who does not propose to de-
sert the Plat standard. In spite OF the prospect
Of its being overwhelmed in disaster The Sem
ator admitted the other evening at the Hotel
Metropole that the outlook was dark: but he
declared. chivalrously, well stand by the old
man To the last. and go down with him.
Persistent efforts on the Plat side have been
made within few days to create the impression
that ex senator Warner Miller has been besought
by Elihu Root Cornelius y. Bliss, General Arson
c. McCook and other anti-Patt men TO make
public declaration II opposition 10 the Plat
methods I'm politics. but that Mr.. Miller had been
restrained from taking sides against Mr.. Platt by
some sort OF an understanding with the latter
/, that Mr. Miller is 10 be United States Senator 10
succeed David b. Hill two years hence. This at
tempt 10 msrepresent Mr.. Miller's attitude does
him injustice in many ways but, most OF all, MS
friends say il belittles his good sense. Mr.. Mil
Ter has never been political trader. but II he
should ever become one, which everybody VINO
knows him believes impossible. he IS not likely
To make "A deal with Mr. Plat. The Herkimer
statesman has some knowledge Of the way IN
which Mr. Plat executes his political contracts.
and if he placed himself in Mr. Platts hands he
might stand much the Same chance OF COINS To
the senate that Smith NJ Weed did in 1891. when
he placed his trust in David b. Hill.
1t may be remembered that Mr.. Weed did not
go to the Senate.