New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-21
NO LONGER A DICTATOR.
MR.. PLATT LEARNS WHO is GOVERNOR
OF THE STATE
HIS HUMrIIATING FAILURE TO DIRECT A CAM
PAIGN OF RETALIATION AGAINST MAYOR
sTRoNG-sCHEMEs OF THE EX-BosS
TO REGAIN HIS PRESTIGE

PAIGN OF RETALIATION AGAINST MAYOR
srRoNo-scHEMEs OF THE EX-Boss
TO REGAIN HIS PRESTIGE.
(By TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNEl
Albany. Feb. 20.-Levi Z. Morton Is Governor OK
New-York. He was elected last November. HIS
majority was unprecedented His right to the
office and qualifications for 1t were never disputed.
The title was fawless and yet hundreds OF indi-
yduals who rejoice to be known as practical
politicians" have held the belief, and acted ac-
cordingly that. after ALL he was not actually the
Chief Executive Of the State. The real ruler, they
insisted was one Thomas c. Platt doing business
at No 40 Broadway. New-York City. MI Platt
did not of course explicitly admit this hatterins
charge. He was not 80 unwse as to do tnat. but
there is no evidence record that he ever said
anything or did anything to sap the faith OF MS
followers In this political creed OF the hour. he
could not we'll do 50. He believed 1t himser' hs
practically declared it on the night of election.
wheir he announced at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
that his claim to the undisputed leadership of tho
party had been vindicated by the election OF his
candidate for Governor The manner in which he
assumed the right of dispensing patronage. select
ing Speaker. organizing the Legislature and de
recting the entire policy OF the State govern.
ment made it plain to every that he con.
ceived himself to be clothed with absolute power.
and that. Furthermore, to him, to his followers.
Governor Morton, the man who had been swept
into office by the Republican tidal wave was
mere fgurehead. a helpless trustful creature
knowing no law but Mr.. Platts will
Mr.. Platt holds this belief no longer. The
faith in his own power was rudely shaken last
night in the Executive Mansion, as he. General
Tracy and Congressman Quigg listened with
amazement to the Governors quiet declaration
Of independence. He could scarcely creoit the
evidence of his senses. He went away like one
in dream. 1t could not. it must not. be true.
He returned this morning in the hope that 1t
was all a delusion that he had misunder'
stood the Governor. But it was not so. What
ever doubts he had to Mr.. Morton's real
sentiments were dspeled during this second
visit and when Mr.. Platt starteu for home on
the early afternoon train he realized for the
first time since November that, despite all
his fond hopes, foolish assertions and vain
imagnations. despite all the absurd chatter Of
his henchmen. despite the apparent pliabity
and undoubted friendness of the Governor to
him. Levi P. Morton. and not Thomas c. Platt.
is was and will be Governor of the Empire
State. in fact in law.
NO RETALIATORY LEGISLATION
II must not be assumed from this that the
Governor has declared war upon the boss OF
even repudated him. Far from it. He is just as
friendly as ever; just as friendly as he can be.
consistently with his own ideas OF what is risht
and expedient: but he insists that he shall be
the Judge Of what is the proper thing to do. This
is fatal to Mr.. Platt. for Governor Morton Is
man Of broad. clear views essentially progressive
and in touch with the best sentiments of the
party. SO. while Mr.. Platt found him just as
agreeable as ever he soon became aware Of the
xxrtth rnh
undemonstrative power of resistance. Such
thing the Governor is reported 10 have said, as
retaliatory legislation upon Mayor Strong was
out of the question. All talk Of reprisals must be
dropped mmedia tely. 1t ridiculous. Mr..
Platt gasped for breath as he listened. He
looked at the Governor inquiringly. sterny, but
the other proceeded calmly. The Mayor OF New
York was a Republican, to be sure, but was ne
not elected a non-partsan platform? And as
an honorable man. must he not live up TO MS
promises? He had appointed Mr.. Brookheld'
but what of that? Mr.. Brookfield was qualified
for the place: his Repubcanism was unques'
toned and had he not been for years Mr.. Platts
choice for Chairman of the State Committee'
Mr. Patt WINGED. but said nothing.
The appointment of Mr.. Scott was not agree
able of course but in view of the fact that ne
was Mr.. Platt's coalition candidate for Mayor OF
New York in 1890 and that men like Cornelius NJ
Bliss Colonel S. V. 4. Cruger and Edward
Mitchell were almost read out Of the party by
the boss for refusing 10 indorse the nomination.
it was difficult to see how successful issue
could be raised on this point. Moreover Mn
Scott was the choice of the leading Democratic
lawyers Of the metropolis Aside from these two
appointments, there was little to critcise In what
Mayor Strong had done. Certainly he had not
acted ,nconsistenty with the platform upon
which he had accepted the office. Moreover. the
last Republican State Convention which was
supposedly controlled by Mr.. Plat. had declared
In the most unequvocal and emphatic manner II
favor Of home rule principle which had been
shamefully violated by the Hill-Sheehan-Murphy'
Croker ring and any attempt to go contrary 70
the Republican platform. the party law would
be fraught with the gravest peril, particularly
now when public sentiment was so thoroughly
| orystallized against Legislative interference 10
| local affairs. The people were undoubtedly w"n
| Mayor Strong even though his appointments
were annoying to the State machine
| BY this time Mr.. Platts eyes had tar-a"ay
| look in them. Something like "buncoed asai"
echoed softly through his vocal organs OUT "'e'
| on his lps' 1t was hardly necessary TO say
| that the Governor would probably stand oy the
| Senate and Assembly in whatever course they
| might take in ieang with New-York city
measures; but Judging by the expression given
yesterday TO the sentiments of the members
| from New-York County, and the general feel
| ing manifested in both Houses. 1t Will be ex'
ceedlngly easy for the Governor to stand by
this general assurance.
INTERCEDING FOR MIR. PLATT.
There was wan smile on the visitors pale.
worn face. He bowed slightly. The Governor
I'm her N hopes
for harmony he could tell Mr.. Patt that he had
already urged upon Mayor Strong the advisa'
bility Of making no more "eXasperating appoint.