New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-17
TREACHERY AT THE POLLS.

There is floating about the State rumor which
the Republican campaign managers should set
at rest Immediately II they have the power to
do so. We refer to the alleged intention Of the
Plat machine to pay off old scores on Election
Day by not supporting those party candidates
who were chosen In opposition to the wishes OF
the Boss Every Independent asplrant for Office,
II is said will feel the effects Of this revengeful
policy, but a few conspicuous examples are to
he made One OF these, State Controller Rob
erts, Is to be the particular object OF the ma
chimes hostility, because he has antagonized II
more effectively and with greater boldness than
any other man on the ticket.
1t will be remembered that when Platt's Super
ntendent Of Public Works, George w. Aldridge'
attempted to prostitute that great department
in the Boss's interests in utter disregard OF the
Civil Service requirements, Mr.. Roberts abso-
lutely refused to sanction the outrageous pro
ceeding or condone Aldrldges lawlessness. lie
refused TO audit the payrolls OF employees VINO
had been appointed contrary TO the statute.
Aldridge stormed and ragged The State ma
chine echoed his threats, but all bulldozing ef-
forts failed completely. The Controller refused
TO recede from the position that he had taken
I'm the matter. or course he was sustained by
the Civil Service Commissioners, who made
things decidedly interesting for Aldrdge. ana
by the courts as soon as an opportunity was
afforded for judicial review OF the subject. BUT
this fact, which ought TO have been sufficient 10
satisfy any reasonable man as to the propriety
OF the Controllers action. only seemed to make
the Plat crowd more determined in their anger
against him. They tried to prevent his renonl-
nation but failed for the reason stated in The
Tribune recently-the widespread. uncompro-
missing demand for II on the part OF all good
Republicans and the best people OF all parties.
Failing TO beat him in the convention, they have
but one way left open-treachery at the polls
and this course. It is reported they propose 10
adopt Mr. Aldridge. according TO the rumors
that come TO us, will throw the Rochester or
ganizaton and the canal influences SO far as he
can control them against the Controller, and his
efforts will he supplemented by other parts OF
the machine throughout the State so far as they
can be induced to engage in this nefarious bust
ness
1t is hardly necessary to say that The Tribune
has no illusions as TO the character OF Thomas
C. Platt 1t is in his power to do a great deal Of
mischief on Election Day. and there is nothing
in his record TO prevent the belief that he Will
indulge in this particular species Oh reachery
should he decide to carry his resentment to such
objectionable lengths 1t is possible that these
reports are entirely erroneous. We hope that they
are. But should Mr.. Roberts, Mr.. Pavey. or any
other Republican candidate who has incurred
the enmty OF Mr.. Plat because Of his present
devotion TO the public interests, be defeated
through the treacherous influences OF the State
machine, the responsibility for 1t will not rest
upon Mr.. Aldridge Mr. Barnes or any other
tool who may be selected to perform the actual
work, but upon liz, real culprit and it is unneces-
sary to say who that will be. There is only one
Republican Boss at present in this State.