New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-28
THAT MYSTERIOUS BANQCET.


Dispatches from Albany to the city press have
brought the intelligence that quite little squirt
of excitement was apparent yesterday among
the LEGISLATORS at the capital over report 'ha'
several prominent Republicans from different
parts Of the State had dined together III Il iio>'
mysterious manner at the Windsor Hotel IN ms
city. From the fact that most of the gentlemen
named in the report as being present are known
to be friends of Mayor Strong ana OF "o'el"ot
Morton. and very earnest advocates as well OF
all the measures in behalf of municipal REFORM
which upon various pretexts are hung up at
Albany 1t has been surmlsed thal 'ne Pun Po''
Of this mysterious banquet was TO organize an
oppostion to Mr.. Thomas c. Platt. III Is uo"o''
less a fair inference that wherever TWO OF 'hr'c
Republicans are gathered who answer 10 ''c
ohove descrption- friends of the Mayor and OF
the Governor and Of municipal reforhi-'herc
may no found a pretty positive and well-detned
opposition 10 the plans ana PURPOSES 80 i'i d.
tbov are known. OF Mr. Platt Without accurate
knowledge upon the subject, we are preparcu "
believe that If the gentlemen named were pres
ent and the existing political situation came "P
for discussion. there was CONSENSUS ol oPlh'o"
upon one point at least, 10 w.t. that the Interests
of the Republican party. the success Oh N'!oi
Strong's administration OF munlclpal ana "o'
erpor Morton's administration OF STATE ahars,
the overthrow Of corrupt and establishment Oh
honest government, and-what Is OF very hlsh'
If not the highest, consequence-the maintenance
Of good faith on the part Of all elected "rhciSis
depended in very large measure upon CONVINCING
the general public and Mr.. Platt himself 'hat he
carries very little besides his own vote IN thc
palm Of his hand
We suspect that there was nothing mysterious
about 1t: that 1t was only one OF a NUMBER Oh
conferences which grow out or eXstihS cohoi-
lions and have but one significance. lhey sig
nify. il we correctly understand their purp"r''
that ardent Republicans Of influence ana prom
inence are getting together. not only at thc
Windsor Hotel. but in many other places win
a view to taking concerted action toward the
contamination for which the voters gave nearly
10000 majority in this city and lJo,ooo III III"
State They realize that by the use OF machlh-
cry which Mr. Plat has been able. through th'lr
remissness, to perfect. the great uprising lor
nolitical reform last November is in some danger
OF failure and defeat. They have heard the
taupts Of the machine Republicans that they are
only amateur politicians. giving attention TO poll
tics but n few months in the year while their
unwearied leader devotes TO that pursuit all the
working hours Of go days. and they have been
spurred 10 diligence thereby. This We take To
no The significance of the Windsor Hotel dinner,
r. s,lch q dinner there was. and Of all similar
gatherings We make no secret Of our hope that
there was such gathering ana mat such was
It's purpose and that there will be more OF them
For nothing can be more evident than mat 'he
present danger TO reform legislation Is largely
due TO the lack Of concerted acton ana effective
organization on the part OF It's friends anu auNo
Gates: organization not only III benalI oil 'he
proposed measures, but in outspokeD, uncompr"-
missing ccasclesS hostility 10 the treacherous
leaders who are cOntriving their defeat mere
should be neither hesitation nor timdiiy about
it, Nor. we take II upon ourselves 10 say. should
there he any small politics about IT.. nor any re-
sort to the machinery of intrigue ana chcah'
| This fight is ia It's essence for good govern
! ment and honest administration As such II
comlnendS itself TO all citizens who desire the
| protection Of the laws for life and property ana
the overthrow Of a system Of government by
the criminal classes for the protection of crime
! And it commends itself 10 all Republicans who
believe in maintaining the honor Of the party
and separating it from all color Of completely
with lawlessncss and misrule. II is not only a
struggle in behalf Of material interests and for
self-prcservation, but Il holy war for righteous
ness and TRUTH for civic Cleanliness d"c"ncy.
purity. health There is no need Of mystery or
secrecy. What do need Is carncsinrss or
conviction uniring pcrsstcncy ana courage.
Mr. Plat has formulated his demand, and made
the issue 1t cannot De avoided. And he has
left nothing for The honest Republicans who be-
licvc in municipal reform 10 do bur To combine
/ against any recognition OF the supremacy h"
claims. any concession 10 his rapacly or any
| trucking 10 his Ovcrweening arrogance.