The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-09
THE FOUR JONAHs.
Four Republican Lenders Who Are
Dead Ducks" Politically.

EDEaN AMEt2H
Washington. May s.-Four republican
"Jonahs" have been airing themselves and
their political views in this city for several
days past. and the attempt has been made
TO give their chance meeting special sig
nidcance in connection with the republican
candidate for the presidency. The quar-
tette alluded to IS Tom Plat, the would
be-boss Of the New York republicans;
Gen. Russell Alger, of Michigan, who is
said to have bought up several ma tional
conventions, that would not stay bought;
EX-Secretary Charles Foster of Ohio, who
does not know how TO manage his own
financial affairs any better than he did the
government cash box during the Harrison
administration and John S. Clarkson, ex-
chairman Of the Republican National COM
mittee, and for short time first assistant
postmaster general during the last admin
istratiOn.
fond of newspaper noteriety. They could
not exist without il, hence they were per-
fectly willing to assume mysterious man
ner while here, but at the same time they
did not hesitate to create the impression
that they had some deep, dark political
plot under consideration. Some of the
newspapers went so far as to indicate the
plan OF operation in the next national con-
Vcntton, that was outlined by these four
cOnspirators. IL was set forth with great
detail that Plat would come into the con-
vention with New York delegation in his
vest pocket for Gov. Morton. Alger would
have the western contingent at his COM
mand. Qor himself, of course) Foster was
said to have absolute control of the Ohio
delegation for Mckinley first but for any
one the combination might agree upon,
afterward Garrison claimed to have the
Allison boom at his disposal, which is eX-'
pected to be pressed or traded as the cir
cumstances may suggest.
This all sounds very well to the unin-
itiated and the presence OF these four
nOlltlcnl gghemnTE In the hotel
two or three days, naturally occasioned
considerable speculation. 1t is understood
however that neither Of the four gentle
men named have as much political infiu-
cnce as they Imagine they possess, and
according to tho statement of one of the
abiest and most conservative leaders in
the quartette Will cut but little figure in
party.
This gentleman proceeded to review the
past political achievements of the quar-
tette, and when he concluded il was quite
plain that they are not as potent as they
have lead their friends and followers to
DeleNe. In the first place, 1t was pointed
out that Tom Platt, in spite OF all the no.
toriety he has obtained in New York poll
ties, cannot point 70 a single political vic
tory he has won. His me Too" act when
Conkling resigned his seat in the Senate
gave him prominence that he would not
nave otherwise attained, and since then
he has managed to scrape up sufficient
game. Every one who is familiar with
the situation in New York state at pres
ent, knows that Tom Plat had no more
10 do with the nomination and election of
Lew +. Morton TO the goVernorship than
Senator ID. r. Hill-not as much perhaps
Gen. Algcr has bceli a bidder in the
presidential auction room for twelve years
past, but he has never been able to lead
his subsidized forces to victory Among
the prominent republicans he is regarded
as political Jonah" A review Of his no.
liucal record fails to show a single blue
ribbon to his credit. Charlie Foster is
genial, goOd-natured, careless indie
pendent aspirant for political honors of
almost any description He has better luck
than either Plat or Alger bat he is no
longer considered a political power in the
Buckeye" state. AS for Gen. Clarkson.
he is sized up by the leaders Of his party as
n political wanderer." He is always going
somewhere, but never arrives at his Ges-
tiration. He has always some deep-dark
political design on hand but it never ma
terisliZes In spite of all of his failures
like Hungry Joe, he continues to move
on
Under the circumstances, the democratic
leaders are not greatly disturbed by the
so-Oalled conference of the -Four Jonahs -
1T is not violating confidence to state that
the democratic leaders in New York are
anxious about reported combination that
is at work in the interest Of a ticket made
up of Morton, of New York, and Man
derson, of Nebraska: or Morton and Teller,
or Morton and Bob Lincoln.