New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-29
WHY HE DOES 1T.

There IS one point in connection win Mr.
Platt's political operations which Is perfectly
clear to all who have obtained the right crew.
but which may perplex others. In fact we KNOW
TINT there are citizens who do not understand
tho matter. for they have asked us about 1t, ana
II Is fair TO suppose that these inqulrers VINO
hrjnc themselves to our notice represent many
moro who would like to be enlightened Ihey
oc,,nowledce an aversion to some OF the political
methods which they see Mr. Plat employing ana
thev. narticularly dislike his use OF Legislatures
u,b,ch no Is able to control: but they find 1t DIM
Quilt IN accent rs true certain accusations which
arc brought against him. as being contrary to
reason. They say. with TRUTH thal lie j.
sbrewd man. of long experience in politics, who
would be less likely than almost any other HILL
ager they know of to make SHY mistake
How then can it be possible that he deliberately
odopts n course of action which Is sure 10 eA
asnerate and ALLEVIATE Republicans, anu 'hc
natural tendency Of which is To Keep 'nen HUM
tho nous and even drive them INTO ac'uh oP-
nositon. boss, they say, must Waht WIS
and why. therefore should he repel voters: Ill
,hiS matter Of enrolment for example how can
q no nossible that Mr. Platt really desires ana
means 10 put obstacles In the way OF Il iaii an"
e,u enlistment Of recruits. and by that means TO
excite discomfort and resentment Tor the ''inc
being and apathy hereafter!
This perplexity arises from the fact mat ME-
Platt's motive and purpose are not uhNe'S'ii!
comprehended SO far as this city Is confer "'''
no desires other things far more keenN 'h"h Nv
dasiros votes 1t Is true that the problem "hicn
ho &c always irving to solve Is not an easy on''
ond no has to take some chances; bur, on the
,,,holo no nrefers that there should not Do
Largo ;ndeneudent-minded. aggressive. steauli!
increasing Republican organization in thiS '''l'
:, h IN organization would not be easily
,,,o.. % h,s control. but would be likely to get
...o, Prom, him when he most needed to Keep
Il under rigid discipline and to win local ne
publican victories in years wheh lie PREM u
dofoo,r There are exceptions TO every RUE
but. generally speaking Mr. Platt Is peS' SUN"
when the State and the Legislature are Hepu'-
Ncan and the city Is Democratic he h'-"''
and probably would, be willing M any uihc '"''
tbe city should go Republican II that were hece'.
sarv TO Republican ascendancy elsewhere anu
would always like 10 be in readiness 10 meet
such an emergency; and, OF course, lie Has "
take II into account that occasionally TIE pop
u,or ,mnulse will be too strong for him 10 resist
as II was last year. But from his point oi we"
there IS too much risk in permitting TO De ouli'
IN here party organization capable ana ne
sirous Of bringing majority OF the voters ln'o
the Republican ranks and winning hepup''a"
victories right along, year after year
II used 70 be said that the Democratic leaders
Of ssachusetts purposely kept their parry i"
thar state conveniently small in order mat
,hov MIGHT remain its leaders. and so retain Tor
,hoIr own benefit large share OF the spolls oi
Federal politics The analogy between their
management OF an oldtime party organization
and Mr. Platts manipulation OF his ihouerh ni"-
chine IS not exact. but it serves the purpose "l
an illustration. He wants TO keep the Kepup-
lican forces in this city "convenenuy sihah'
So that he can control them TO suit himself ana
Is prepared to take whatever chances OF personal
discontinue his scheme of operations MI! III
yolye This key furnishes a solution OF many
things. including Mr.. Edward lauierbach anu
his recent enrolment, which without 1t would De
incomprehensible