New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-18
TIE "JOC4L LEADERS" Plans.

TIE "LOCAL LEADERS" Plans,
In "Thc Ncw-Yorl Evening sun" Of yesterday
the announcement was made that 'Rcpubl'cah
statesmen from many sections of the State had
arrived in town. whose purpose 1t is to confer
with the local leaders rs TO plans for con
trolling the conventions next fall" As "A result
Of preliminary conferences. yesterday morning
Il WAS announced that the Republican state Com
mIrtce would be called together at IN early date
TO consider several party matters" principal OF
which would bc the basis Of representation III
the Senate conventions 10 be held this year oar
lively Democratic contemporary being the only
Ncw.York newspaper that enjoys The confidence
az the local leader'-which Ii puts in the plural
number in dcferercc to public opnon-and the
local leader" being the only person with whom
fine statesmen from many sections Of the state
ever confer, besides being the only person VINO
undertakes to direct the movements OF the STATE
Committee we see no reason 10 doubt that the
announcement is authoritative. though unofiic.ai.
We accordingly assume that Mr.. Plat. To whom
the statesmen from many sections nave 80
nromptly reported after the adjournment or the
Legislature which they held for him. has decided
TO have the State Committee. which he owns or
thinks he owns meet presently ana CONSIDER
"plans for controlling the conventions next fail.
An ~ which IL characteristic Of the local leader.
whose followers habitually proclaim with pride
| that "hc plays politics all the year round lie
| hegips his next wears campaign before his fol
lowers have had time to realize the disastrous re-
| sults of his last We'll, that Is one kind OF lead
| ership.
We shall watch with some interest the columns
| Of our Democratic contemporary Tor the an
nounccment Of the time OF meeting or the Sti'e
| Committee and some further disclosure OF the
local leaders," purposes. II seems odd' 10 De
sure. 10 be consulting IA Democratic newspaper
| for information as to the plans OF Repubhcah
| .local leader who directs the action or the Ike
| publcan State Committee; who controlled the
last Republican Legislature and Is laying MS
pans for controlling the next; but II is 10 DE To-
membered that the local leader has been
Obliged TO break off his relations with all the Ke-
mbican newspapers in town. because, Ike 80
many individual Republicans Of prominence they
| have broken faith with him When the State
| Committee meets. we take leave to suggest that
IT'S first business should be TO take some DEFINITE
action regarding the Endorsement and approval
| I'm It's name by its chairman. Charles W. liackctt'
and the chairman Of its Executive Committee,
| II. j
and scandalous attack upon eighteen wellknown
Republicans and the Republican Mayor OF TINS
cItv signed by Edward Lauterbach This attack
Is believed 10 have been inspired by Mr. Platt'
and the Endorsement Of the State Committee 10
have been given by that gcntlcman's orders. The
first duty Of the State Committee Is TO set Itself
right in that matter Indeed, 1t cannot decenlly
avoid It, When that Is done the lines Will be
distinctly drawn, as they ought to be, ana the
Republican party will know. as 1t Is entitled 10
know. whether the committee stands for Rcpub
licanism or Pattism
No discussion Of plans for controlling the con
| yentions next fall can be In order until that
matter is disposed Of. For until then it cannot
be known to whom the control OF the convention
is proposed to be given--whethcr to the Repub
lican voters or Mr. Plat. II the State Commit
tee decides adopt plans for controlling the con
ventions so that Mr.. Plat will exercise the same
influence and WELD the same power In the next
Legislature that he did In the last, II ought TO be
made known and the purpose frankly av0wed
1t Is a fair question. and should be fairly met
| The Republican voters who believe, or think they
| believe, that Mr.. Platt's leadership has been wise
| or honest or conducive to the welfare OF tho
party and should be continued either for party
| advantage or the public good ought not to be
unwilling TO say so openly and boldly. and make
their fight for the control Of the conventions on
that issue That would be manly and straight
forward to say the least. And the other Rcpub
| llcan voters, Of whom there are great many
who believe that Mr.. Platts leadership has been
| disastrous and that its continuance would b6
simply suicidal, would be glad to meet the issu,
| suuarely and answer to the rocall upon II. How
| ever Mr. Plat reached his position, or whatever
| the means by which he hopes to retain It, one
thing Is certain that Is, that his personality can
not be kept out Of sight or ignored. The immedi
ate future Of the Republican party in this city
and State turns absolutely upon its relations &c
him as leader. If the State Committee believes
1t to be wise policy for the party TO perpetuat'
| such control as he has had OF the late Lcglslat
ure, 1t should not hesitate 10 say So There
should be no huggermuggering about 1t. but O
fair standup fight. That Is all that anybody asks
And to that the honest Republican masses are
entitled Aud whatever the committee may do II
the premises, the fact cannot be disguised or IL
Importance belittled that between now and mex
November the question Ia to be settled whether
| tho Republican party Of this State viii asser