New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-22
MR.. PLATTS YOUNG MEN.

| Of the mysteries OF politics. That the greatest
party in the greatest State should consent TO the
dictation Of such a selfish unprinclpled schcmer
| as he years AGO demonstrated himself to be
puzzles every rational mind that considers the
question. His aims and ambitions are as far
removed from the principles that govern the
| Republican party az the East is from the West
| lie is not in sympathy with its purposes The
motives that govern It's masses are ana always
| have been foreign to him. II Rcpublicanlsm
represents anything 1t stands for all that Is best
and p,rest in politics. all that Is most progressive
in civilization, and all that makes for righteous
ness I'm public life But the chief end OF Mr..
Platt's political existence Is to make the Repub-
lican organization Of this State what Tammany
Hall was and Is still trying to be 10 this city,
powerful, constituencies instrument 10 carry out
his personal schemes and unworthy undertake
incs. That he has not succeeded In doing this
IS due TO the natural independence Of the voters
and the courage Of few leaders who reflect the
latent sentiment Of the party That he has sue
ceeded in doing what he has done is attributable
to various reasons. the consideration Of one Of
which IS particularly appropriate at present.
Mr. Platts peculiar cleverncss has never been
illustrated better than in his efforts to attach to
|
politics. His success in this has been remark
able There is scarcely a youthful aspirant Tor
political honors on the Republican side that has
not been attracted 10 him. become more or less
identified with his interests. and the pen
atty for that association whenever the people
have been afforded an opportunity to pass upon
the question Mr.. Fasseti, for instance began
public life by asserting his natural independence
MFR Plat prevented his election 70 the Senate
bnt the young mans forccfuness compelled the
Boss TO remove the embargo. At Albany Fas-
sett worked out his own salvation. He won his
way unaided 10 the leadership Of the Senate
He made himself factor in party politics. and
Il was no, until he demonstrated his ability 10
take care Of himself that Plat attempted TO take
care Of him. He appealed 10 Fassctt's ambition
Fassett listened 10 him. Some honors-ihc sec
rctaryshlp of the National Committee and the
Collec,orshir Of the Port-were procured through
Platt's aid. but they would never have been be-
slowed had Fassett not demonstrated his quan
cations for these places. Finally came the nom
ination for Governor, n most unfortunate event
in Fassett's political life. He was bcaicn-terrl-
bly bcaicn-not because the people doubted his
Integrity or ability To administer the affairs Of
State but simply because he was Tom" Plau's
man. Three years later when II was In Plait's
power to make rcparation by giving Fassett the
nomination for the Office for which he had been
beaten because of his relations with Plat. the
Boss coldlv turned away. Had Fassett never
becn identified with Plat he might have been
Governor OF the State.
Still more recent Is the case Of Senator Lcxow.
another young politician who was winning his
spurs An opportunity was given 10 him. such
as comes 10 few men in politics, TO achieve en-
during fame As chairman OF the Senate In
vesticating Committee that laid the foundations
for Tammany's overthrow. his position was ex-
trcmely advantageous from every point Of view.
He had simply TO go back to the Senate and by
an uncompromIsng advocacy Of reform lcglsla.
ton become the logical candidate of the party
for almost any office 10 which he might aspire.
Instead Of that he listened 10 Plat; he became
n tool In the hands OF the Boss and his rammany
allies. lie served his master instead Of the peo-
pie To-day he IL In danger OF rejection at the
hands Of his own constituency.
Then there IL Senator O'COnnor. Of Bingham
ton. lie began his public career most ausplcious-
w. lie demonstrated tho possession Of excellent
qualities At one time he was looked upon ~ IA
possible candidate for Governor. But no sooner
had he become prominent than Plat managed
since as ,cnaclously rs Mcphistophcles held poor
Faust. What Is the result? O'Connor has been
compelled to retire from the Senate and now
his political future rests upon the faint hope OF
being able to secure a judicial appointment
through Platt's influence.
Coggcsha Is another man who served Plat
faithfully for dozen years. but that fact does
not prevent Plat from rcpudiating him when
he finds the people Of the Oneida District are at
last in rebellion. Parsons. OF Rochester, wanted
special legislation for Monroe County. Plat
made him believe he could give II TO him. In
return Parsons placed himself absolutely at
Patt's disposal. but the Genesce Storage bill
was vetoed, and Parsons and his friends are
threatened with revolt against the machine
Malby won the Speakership on his own merits
but he allied himself with Plat, aroused wide
spread opposition and when he asked for a re-
election Plat cooly polluted to this opposition.
which had been aroused in consequence Of Nal
by's services to him, and put Hamilton Fish, his
lifelong enemy, in the chair
George T.. Green. the active young president
OF the Republican State League, manifested such
"hustling" qualities in the Southern Tier as to |
attract the Boss's attention. Mr.. Green had |
every reason to be independent Of the Boss, but
he listened TO fairy tales about the nomination |
for Lieutenant Governor. He was caught in tho |
web. When the last State Convention adjourned |
he realized that he was another victim Of the |
political green-goods game A little later. when |
he barely escaped defeat In his fight for re-
election as Mayor Of Binghamton, the torment |
ing truth was forced upon him that association
with Thomas G. Plat is an exceedingly ex- |
pensive luxury.
C1ocn In. ,ltaJl
the cases OF Veeder, and Kilburn, and Baker
and hundred others, but enough has been said
to illustrate the observation that while Mr. Platt
has succeeded in getting into bis services large
number Of able young leaders. there Is not a |
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