The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-04-18
Tom platte Curious Career,

The Platt-Strong war continues with
increasing bitterness. A majority opin-
ION probably is that Platt's power Is
broken. Strong continues implacable
while the governor does not exhibit the
Platt partizanship that was expected Of
him by Platt and his followers, who claim
to have elected Morton. The opposition
to Platt now control the great party ma
chine in New York City. 1t has the
aqueduct commission, the department of
public works with its enormous pay roll,
the dock commission, the legal depart
ment and will soon have the police de-
partment. The news is that Platt will
soon receive Knockout in Brooklyn.
This throws the battle which must decide
the day between the contending factions
into the state at large, which is heavy re-
publican and where Platt, by the marvel
Gus powers of organization, has built up a
powerful machine without himself being
enon in political life. We have number
of money machines, like that of Addacks
in Delaware, for instance. And a great
many where mediocre men in positions
of great influence build up machine by
the dispensing of political and personal
favOrs. Good examples are to hand in the
two Pennsylvania senators, Cameron'and
Quay, and in Shelby Cullum, senator from
Illinois, whom the reformers thought
they had down few months ago. But
Platt seems to be Suj gelleriS. He is II
law unto himself. This raises u new
question: How can man out of politics
build up machine, without the use of
money, until he is able to dictate the
party policy not only of the
state but also largely of the nation
one of great Importance. In the first place
Platt is born politician. He loves poll
tics precisely as a great many other men
like to race horses or gamble. Secondly
he is great organizer. These two quail
tiles combined with fair ability early
brought him into prominence politically
and, through the aid of Roscoe, Conkling
he reached the senate of the United States.
nee there he resigned as soon as Conk-
ling decided to do SO and thus became
closely identified with the stalwart inter
est, which made him Conkklin's legatee.
Platts qualities as an organizer, his taste
for politics and his ability as an adviser, at
tracted the attention of many other polite
ians just as 1t had attracted that of Conk-
ling. 1t soon became the wise thing for
the regulars to go 60 him for advice and
his influence spread so far that he became,
by virtue of thus being in u position tc
control the leading politicians, the most
influential leader in the party. The man
who could display ability to thus secure
control of the machine can be depended
upon to maintain his control, Such q
man Is not easily overthrown. Unlike q
leader whose followers are held together
by the colfesiveness Of patronage, his ma
chine will not quickly go to pieces in the
face of defeat. 1t is more like the friend
ship that is based on good fellowship-it
survives disaster and frequently grows
in strength with the development of ad
versity. Platt has been the victor il
eleven state conventions. We are not o
those that jump to the conclusion that thu
present fight on him by Mayor Strong
will amount to much more than littlt
heavy fighting on the flank. If the fianl
movement deyelopes brisk engagement
along the whole line and thus splits thu
party into bitter factions, the chances arr
Brother Platt would bob up serenely IL
the next campaign but little the worse fo
wear