New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-26
1.-THE Iron HiND.'
Empire.

II was given out with considerable confidence
several days ago by our Democratic con-
temporary THE Ncw-York Sun'-thc only
newspaper in this town, apparently. which
enjoys the confidence Of the Republican State
Committee and its sole adyiser-that the
coming Republican State Convention Is to
'be ruled with rod Of iron. There Will
''be contesting delegations. but the dominant
element will have its way. There Is To be no
velvet glove on the iron hand this year This
scmi-ofcial announcement may be accepted, we
presume. as in some sense authoritative. That is
TO saw it is doubtless a correct expression of the
present purpose Of the persons now in control of
the machinery Of the State Republican organiza-
ton The comparison-Or rather cOntraSt-it sug-
cests is with the last Republican State Convcn-
ton. when, 1t is a fair Inference the machine
managers did wear a velvet glove on the iron
hand" The iron hand" of course, IS that of
Mr. Thomas c. Plat. No one else in this gen
Grafton has ever undertaken to dictate the nom
nations, direct the policy and control the ap-
pontmcnts of the Republican party of this State
with anything that resembled the iron hand.
1t is not a party that falls easily or willingly
under that sort of rule. His was the hand, and on
the occasion Of the last convention he wore the
vet been definitely asccrtancd. Some time 1t
NAV be- There was certainly plenty of II. No
'velvet' this year. then. So much TO the good.
For Mr. Plat cannot run his machinery without
"velvct." and when he undertakes TO do 1t openly
with the iron hand We shall see somewhat
different state Of things.
Since this announcement was made Mr.. Charles
W. Hackett chairman Of the Republican State
he hecu N N cons
Mr.. Platt his chief and only adviser, as to call
Ing the committee together for the purpose Of de-
Gliding upon the time and place for holding the
State Convention. As 10 these details We have
no doub, that Mr. Plat will Use THE iron hand"
He will name the time and select the place.
For that no 'vclvct' is required. II Is not likely
that he will name either 80 incOnvcnlcnt time
or unsuitable place AZ 10 arouse opposition or
create disturbance. though il must be- admitted
his capacity for doing both upon the least occl-
sion j. something marvellous. lie may exercise
his iron hand" on these prcliminarics without
objection. II viii not disturb Mr.. Hackc't, who
has become hardened 10 Il. nor viii it break NJ
the committee; for it is committee which has
shown great submi>slvcncss aud mcckncss in
permitting It's functions 10 be- exercised by the
man with the iron hand" But II. after these
prcliminaries are settled IL Is proposed -
the powers II the State Committee To- settle all
matters pertaining TO the State Convention. AMI
particularly the questions as TO conicsiing dele
cations. SO that in the phrase 81 our coniempo-
rary. the dominant element VIII have iiS way"
there will be quite different story 10 tell
For il may a. we'll be- understood, first rs last.
that a STATE Committee which permitted is
name 10 be used and It's functions uSurp"d. a.
they were not long ago by Mr.. Fllti'S orders. for
the Endorsement and circulation of an abusive
and untruthful document dcnounclns as traitors
some Of the most honorc1 and influential Rcpub-
leans in the State. will not be- permitted 7" use
-he machinery II the organization uf which th1
are temporarily in charge to pcrpeiuaic them
selves In power or promote the Interests of the
Boss" whose commands they obey. The Trib-
me welcomes the announcement. ~ will all good
Republicans throughout the State that there viii
be no velvet glove on the iron hand inns year.
The fight. them will he open and square, and 1t
will begin at the threshold II viii be- upon III"
merits Of The question: and that question, def
nilcly and BADLY stated. will be whether the
State machinc-which under the sole control Of
one man. has during the last year anagonizcd
the Governor and nearly every prominent Re
publican In the State rs well rs the best S'nli-
mcnt Of the pary-sha be continued unchanged,
or whether the great mass Of Republican voters
shall have a voice in the pariy's management, in
the direction Of it's policy and the selection of lis
candidates 1t is all very well To talk about
organizing the State Convention and ruling the
party with an iron hand" but the party il
self will have something TO say about il when the
time comes.