Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-26
Mr.. PLATT'S VISIT
It Has Caused a Good Deal of
Gossip.
His REAL PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE
Reed Supposed to Be His Choice
After Morton.
T W Z Y p l. A n A TT o y S

There are two explanations of Thomas c..
Platt's visit to Washington at this time.
One of them Is offered by Mr.. Platt him
SELF and the other by all the rest of the
politicians in town. Mr.. Platt refers to
private business requiring his attention.
and the politicians refer to public business
of a very important character.
Perhaps the politicians in Washington do
Mr.. Platt injustice. But he doesn't
seem to be offended at it. He knows what
their suspicious are. and how well entitled
they are to entertain them They believe
that every trip he makes and every step
he takes are worth noting. He represents
in their eyes the Untiring vigilance that
gets there. And just now they see that he
is most decidedly on top. He has gathered
all of the rens into his own hands at
home and this being, as believed, for the
purpose ultimately of influencing if not
controlling the next republican national
convention. he runs down to Washington
for quiet consultation with old friends and
to take general observation of things on
the national Stage. He is accredited, even
by his opponents, with having just carried
out a most ambitious program. He has
won the counteEance of Gov. Morton, has
put the man of his choice in the speakers s
chair in the lower house of the state as
Seiublys anu mas captured the
political committees of the state. The
presidential nomination of his party comes
next, and he is already afoot after that.
MIR. PIatts Preferences.
For whom is Mr.. Platt really at work?
Some of the anti-Platt republicans in
New York believe that Gov. Morton is his
choice. and that he is busy constructing
national Morton machine. This opinion is
largely predlcated on Mr. Platts we'll
known and long-cherished ambition. He Is
thought to have had his eye fixed for
years on the Treasury Department. and the
argument is that he would be certain of
that portfolio with Gov. Morton in the
White House. The new President would
turn in thankfulness to his friend AMI
principal lieutenant, al as 2 reward for
s,s scTr:ct5 s.V5 MIN mis- pick Of places.
No man knows better than Mr.. Piatt how
potent the influence OF New York is in
national conventions when not divided.
His object, therefore. is so to master the
whole situation as to head delegation
from his state to the next convention and
throw ii solidly for the Piatt candidate.
That candidate Will be Morton IL Morton
can win: but if Morton cannot win, then
the man whose success at the polls would
insure Mr.. Platt and his following the
largest possible return for their activity
would be supported.
Outside of New York Mr. Platt is classed
as Reed man. The opinion is expressed
that 50 shrewd a party leader must see
that Gov. Morton cannot be made the par
tvs standard bearer next year. His age is
mentioned for one thing: and then the fact
that he is representative eastern cap
italist is offered as a reason why in cam
paign which will deal so prominently with
the money question some other candidate
should be taken. What would the west
say about such a nomination? Gov. Nor
tons personal character is regarded as
above all reproach and, although he is a
rich banker, he has never received by
name any of the criticism so freely passed
the bond-holdng fraternity of New
York. But. as many republicans reason.
he Is bond-holder and banker, and, once
made the party's candidate for President,
the whole of that criticism would be i'm
mediately trained on him, and the whole
OF the west pass over into the doubtful
column. Those who take this view. there
fore see in Mr.. Platt'S move at home only
a maneuver leading in the direction of Mr..
Reed. Mr.. Platt. they say-and with Gov.
Morton's knowledge, may be--may conjure
with Gov. Morton's name. but when the
delegation is oEce made up. with Mr.. Platt
at its head. the real purpose will be dis
closed and the Reed badge shown.
Value of His Championship.
But not all of the Reed men are agreed
as to the probable value of Mr.. Platt's
championship in the next national conven-
ton. Some express the fear that 1t may
prejudice rather than help the cause. The
concede, but too much Handicapped now by
machine agencies and connections. He is
referred to 50 often as a boss, even by the
leading newspapers of his party, that in
the west he is billeted as boss. and only
as a boss. The question, therefore, arises
as to what effect on even SO strong and
promising a candidacy as that of Mr.. Reed
the activity of an accepted boss might
have. If the west should resent it Mr..
Reed, in close finish, might be beaten
frcn that cause alone.
1t is thought to be likely that Mr.. Platt
will take some part in the councils about
the organization of the next Congress, ard
II there Is to be an extra session he is not
too early on the scene. The House Situa-
tion will present only the division of the
important committee chalrmanships. But
In the Senate things will be very much
mixed. The republicans Will not have
votes enough of their own to control the
body, and yet control by somebody IN some
way must be asserted. ti.i.-~
The republicans will be expected to take
the initiative, and Ii may become neceS-
sary tor them to make combination
which will insure the safety of more i'm
portant legislation on republican lines.
age is involved. Republican quaSi-control
might bring general shake-up in the Sen
ate officers, calling for new men. from the
secretary down. In that event would MIR.
Platt ask recognition for any OF his
friends? or put his finger on name here
and there that he would be glad to see
passed over? He has so many capable
Heutenants and he always manifests so
much interest in seeing them well Placed,
that whenever there is a party feast spread
Mr. PIatt and his friends are on hand.
First and last. Mr.. Platt's visit has
caused quite little stir. and brought out
many interesting estimates of the man
and his preferences and capacities.