The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-19
lie Is A COGL MR.. PLATT.
Tho Magnatc OF New York Politics De.
scriScd rs lie Sits in His Office and
Works the Long Distance Telephone.

scriScd as lie Sits in His Office and
Works the Long. Distance Telephone.
Special TO the Chicago Record
New York, Oct. 1l.--During all the ex-
citement and confusion that surrounds
the. commencement of the political
campaign in this state, which Is to de-
termine the complexion of the legisla-
ture for four years and probably the
control Of the delegation to the next
Republican national vention, Thom-
as &. Platt sits in the office of the pres
ident OF the United States express COM
pany behind huge oaken desk, drawn
closely to the window that overlooks
the bustling multitudes that crowd
Broadway. He is always cool and re-
served, he never wastes his words and
never loses his temper. In this he re-
semDleS senator Quay, who Is supposed
TO be working with him for the control
OF the Republican panty and the selec-
ton of the next president. Mr. Platt
Is a most agreeable man. his manners
are pleasing, his smile Is winning and
he let's his visitors do most of the talk
ing. II he has anything TO say he says
II quietly and without emphasis. and he
never repeats. There is no mystery
about him, and no magnetism. He can
be cold and repellent and has an abun-
dant gift of satire. but with those he
trusts he can be as affectionate as
David or Jonathan. To his friends and
to the disinterested stranger he is an
unaFsuming, pleasant-mannered gen.
tleman, who seems 10 shrink from pub
licity but never loses his self-posses-
sion.
In an adjoining room IL a long-dis-
tance telephone. which Is a great con-
ventence In the management of politi-
cal campaign, and through II Mr. Platt
communicates his instructions to his
lieutenants in various parts of the state.
The bell rings frequently. The boy
that attends II satisfies himself of the
identity of the voice at the other end
of the wire, and then the master sits
down at the transmitter, receives in
formation, issues orders. gives advice,
and talks as freely as he might do in
the secuslon of his office. This saves
great deal of railroad travel and
time and trouble and expense. 1t is no
longer necessary TO write letters that
might be misunderstood or misused II
they fell into the wrong hands, and
such methods OF communication are
more safe and satisfactory than the
telegraph wire. Frequently-daily al
most-Mr Platt telegraphs somebody
In Buffalo, Syracuse or Albany, perhaps,
to be at long gdstance telephone at
o'clock, or 5-that Is, when he has di-
rections of Importance to give-and the
leaders of the Republican party
throughout the state are always expect
ing such a summons No grass ever
grew under Mr.. Platt's feet. He Is al
ways alert and active. although he
makes no noise about It, and he never
forgets anything.
piatt Doesn't Love strong.
Mr.. Platt Is very sure that the Re-
publicans will carry the legislature.
with n good working majority in both
houses but he Is not so certain about
the city and county ticket. Still he is
going to make the best fight he can,
and considers Edward Lauterbach, the
great corporation lawyer. who has left
his business to direct the campaign. one
of the ablest politicians he ever knew.
Mr.. Plat and Mayor Strong are not
friends. As a sporting man would say,
"They do not trot in the same class"
Mr.. Strong Is an amateur in politics.
Mr.. Platt Is a veteran. They differ not
so much In principles as in practice.
Experience and organization. however.
have enabled Mr.. Platt to control the
Republican machine of New York with
patronage of his office. and II is a curl
Gus fact that with all their power and
prestige the city hall people were not
able to elect a single delegate to the re-
cent Republican convention.
Denies u Reed Conspiracy.
Although Mr.. Platt has proposed GSv-
ernor Morton as a presidential candi-
date and will endeavor to secure a
delegation for him from the state of
New York to the next Republican con-
vention. he is believed to be in favor OF
Mr. Reeds nomination. 1t Is the pre-
vailng opinion here and elsewhere that
he and Senator Quay have an under
standing with Mr. Reed, and are really
the active managers of his interests.
But Mr.. Platt says positively that there
Is no foundation for the story. asked
him point blank today whom he Intend
ed to support.
Ask me something easier" was his
reply.
Everybody assumes that you are
Mr.. Reeds chief adviser"
II have seen Mr.. Reed but twice dur
ing the last year." he answered, land
the presidential nomination was not al
luded to by him or by me on either oc-
caslon. i have never exchanged word
with him on the subject either by
tongue or pen. l admire Mr.. Reed very
much. We are good friends. Our
views are similar on matters of public
policy and would be glad to see him
president, but he has not asked me to
support him and have never offered
to do so.'
"lIow about McKinley?"
I'VE don't want any more Ohio men
In the white house."
And Alllson?"
81 like Allison. He would be strong
candidate and a safe president. / think
Mr.. Allison will be we'll supported in
the convention. But I would prefer a
New York man II we can get him. and
Governor Morton is the most available
candidate we have at present, there
fore am for him."
Aunt RnchacPs liorchound snd Eie.
companc.
Combined with Speer's Grape Juice and
Rock Candy for Public Speakers and Sing
ers Is being prescribed by many promi-
nent physicians, which Is a guarantee Of