The Portland daily press., 1895-04-11
N1M York. Anril s. 1895

IL Tue average Repu blican in any other
part OF the country the condition OF poll
TICS In New York must be an impenetra-
bie mystery. On the 9th of Novem Der,
1884, Republican Governor was elected
oy 10000 majority. The Democrats
carried the four elections from 1889 to
1872 inclusive. In 1923 there was no
chance anywhere in the North for the
success OF party bearing the odum of
Democracy. The Republican majority in
New York was 25, 900. That was thought
to be great triumph. The city was
then controlled by Tammany, and the
leaders of that Organization through
their power over the liquor dealers and
the vicious classes, was able to raise vast
sums of money with which to pay heelers
and reprobates for filling the ballet boxes
with fraudulent votes. Several of these
paid henchmen of Tammany afe in States
prison now. More ought to be. The
Repu blican legislature, elected in 1893.
originated the Lexow committee, which
revealed the corruption of officials in all
the departments in the city government.
Those disclosures created a public senti-
ment which resulted in the victory of a
local ticket made up of and supported
By Repu blicans and Democrats. 1t was
not party success. 1t was not claimed
to be. ol.Strong, the Mayor-eIect, was
Il Republican, but the Democrats who
voted for him had confidence in his fair
ness and expected him to give them
proper recognition in selecting his allxil
iaries. He has done SO, and the good un-
dertanding between the allies is pre-
served.
But the Republicans ever since the Isl
of January have been keeping up quar-
rel among themselves. AS in most cases
of family disse nsion there are faults on
both sides. And I believe that the dis
sentients on both sides are, with some
few exceptions, animated by worthy in
tentions. The leading men in the Union
League Club are certainly honest and
earnest. And yet they are afflicted with
a distemper which SO affects their politi-
cal health that they are reasoning from
mistaken premises and reaching errone-
Gus conclusions. The ailment of which
they are suffering may be called Platt-
phobia. Whatever Platt does they Cd
pose. Whatever Platt thinks they regard
with intense disfavor because it is his
thought. Its merits are entirely lost
sight of.
Mr.. Platt, on the other hand, displays
spirit which is calculated to irritate
rather than concilitate those who differ
from him. In bringing abort the cleo
ton of Edward Lauterbach in place of
William Brookfield. as chairman of the
general committee. he threw down a
cartel of defiance which quickened the
hostility of the Brookfeldites into fury.
Both are first rate men. Either is we'll
fitted for the position. But Mr.. Brook
field was in the place. 1t was folly to
turn him out of it.
If that had been the first demonstration
of antagonism Mr.. PIatt would have stood
in the light of the original aggressor.
But the war began before that. The Trib-
une every weekday and Sunday for four
months has contained virulent attack
on Mr.. Platt. Now Mr.. Platt has one
advantage over the Tribune. He has al
ways been Repu blican. The Tribune has
not. 1t was savagely Democratic for
four years from 1872 to 1S76,-and as it
was under the same proprietorship then
as it is now, there must naturally be less
faith among Republicans in it's sincerity
than in Mr.. Platt's. At any rate, howev-
Ell faithful to the cause the Tribune has
been since 1876 it has not record quite
clear enough make it becoming on it's
part to throw stones at Mr.. Plat. Per-
sons, peaceahIy inclined, will hold to the
opinion that it is much wiser for indi-
vidual organizations and newspapers to
direct their attacks against the common
the same political creed.
1t is a wretched wrangls altogether.
l am prompted every time think of it
TO exclaim with Mercutio, "a plague o.
both the houses" With reasonable de-
gree Of discretion and forbearance it
might all have been prevented. The Gov
ernor is one of the mildest, gentlest, and
most lovable of men. Col. Strong is an
affable and courteous gentleman. Mr.
Brookheld is delightfully."- good natured.
So is Mr.. Lauterbach aud so are the
majority Of those who belong in his camp.
And yet they have fallen asunder and
appear to be getting wider apart. If this
coils hness is not stopped they may make
breach wide enough for the Democracy,
even in their piriable plight, to crawl
through far enough to get into power
again.
Mr.. Platt is an enigma even to his
friends. No one who knows him doubts
his honesty ! have had a speaking ac-