New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-18
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I.AUTERBACH'S USURPATION.
WHAT HE PROPOSES TO DO.
PLATT WANTS TO WIPE OUT THE ELEC-
TION DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS.

ADOPTED BY THE MACHINE IN THE REVISION
OF THE PARTY ROLLS IN THIS COUNTY
PART OF PLATT's SCHEME TO con-
troll SOLID DELEGATION
FROM THIS STATE TO THE
NATIONAL coNvEN-
TIoN NEXT YEAR.
The consuming ambition OF Thomas G. Platrs
political existence is Cabinet portfolio lie
wants to be Secretary of the Treasury In the
next Republican Administration. To reach this
goal II 10 absolutely necessary that he should
be a more potent factor in the coming Republic
can National Convention than he has been In
the past. An essential requisite OF such poten-
tlality is TO have 9t his command a solid delega-
ton from New-York State This is the founda-
ton Of all his deals bargains and combna-
tions. He realizes 1t thoroughly. and he is set
ting about 10 secure the election OF seventy-two
delegates who viii BE- creatures of his will. That
is the particular object of his activity at pres-
ent as 1t was during the late campaign Every
thing else. even the Legislature is secondary 70
It; or to speak more precisely. he Is using
everything else to the accomplishment Of that
purpose.
1t IS hardly necessary TO say that the Repub-
lican party in this state is not united IN favor Of
Mr.. Platts assumed leadership This was DEM
onstrated at the last State Convention. which Mr..
Platt certainly did not control absolutely, or he
rever would have consented TO the denomination
OF two Of his avowed enemies or permitted tho
delegates to run away after Warner Miller's ex-
else plank He simply bowed to the wishes Of the
majority. Had ne done otherwise he would have
been overwhelmed How completely he may con-
troll the incoming Legis, ture remains 20 be seen.
but it cannot be denied-and herein lies his hope
that law-making boGy sat IN Albany
which contained a larger element OF Independent
Republicans than the one just elected. The Piatt
forces dominate. but every cear-headed politician
knows that the Boss mist do some vigorous and
effective campaigning % silence tine protesting
minority and secure for himself the desired dele
CATION to the National Convention. And this 10
the character Of the campaign he has entered
upon He proposes to crush opposition from one
end Of the State the other If he and he has
begun his work right here in New-York County.
the citadel Of his ancient and honorable enemies
WHAT HIS PLAN Is.
The plan by which he proposes to dominate
New-York County is unique. There Is nothing
like it in the history OF local politics Il sur
passes all previous Efforts in reckless defiance ~
law. order. decency and public sentiment. There
is no precedent, not even in the annals OF Tam
many Hall. TO compare with 1t.
The Republican organization In New-York
County consists theoretically. of 1892 election
district associations. They are the units OF or
ganization and the source OF all political power.
If free and Independent they would reflect tho
will OF the people with absolute fidelity. That Is
the theory upon which the Committee OF Thirty
proceeded when it abolished the old form Of AS
sembly district organization and substituted
these small organizations of voters. There can
be no question that If honestly conducted they
would be the basis % an ideal system of party or
ganization. But the scheme is not honestly car
red OUT it never has been, and II Mr. Platt has
his way these little organizations will soon be q
matter OF history He proposes TO wipe them out
entirely and go back To the worst form Of the old
Assembly district plan. and he has set about do
ing so with a degree of high-handedness that ap-
pals the most reckless AID INSCRIPTIONS poll
ticlans Of this city.
THE USE OF LAUTERBACH.
Through his stool pigeon. Edward Lauterbach
he has under the Cuise of re-enroment, set
about TO nullify ali the work of the Committee
Of Thirty, and to place the Republican party OF
this county In the hands Of its most disreputabie
elements To understand fully the scheme ii 10
only necessary to consider a brief statement Of
the facts in the case.
At the last meeting Of the Republican County
Committee a resolution was adopted empowering
the Committee on Organization TO take such
steps as were deemed necessary to provide for
an additional enrolment OF Republicans previous
to the primaries which will be held on December
lO This sounded we'll to the uninitiated; it really
looked as II the Patt gang. who controlling
things thanks 10 the apathy and lack OF political
sense on the part Il the other side. were going
to act in the interests Of the party. No such
It was simply a cloak TO conceal the rascally
scheme Under this resolution. the precise word
ing of which is known only to the custodian ot
the committees archives the Organization Com
mlttee which is owned by Platt. went TO work
with a vengeance. The members OF 1t decided
that before any more Republicans could be added
to the lists some gulllotine work required.
And so they appointed thlrty-hve sub-com-
rnittees-one committee for each Assembly Dis-
trct-to handle the axe. Each OF these SUBJ
committees consisted Of three members As e
rule one man was a Republican in fair stand
ing. like Mr.. Campbell in the XXVth District, 10
give tone and respectability. but IN almost every
instance the other two politicians after
Platt's heart. men Ike "C)rneei" Van Cott.
Lucus L. Van Allen Denny" Shea. Charley"
Murray. Fred Gibbs George Hilliard. John
Reisenweber. ABE" Gruber and that bright and
shining light OF the Albany Capitol halls. Amasa
Thornton.
THE SAME OLD GANG.
In other words Platt directed the old gang 70
undo completely the work which. 10 save them
selves. they had been forced to perform for tho
Committee OF Thirty. This is the way they set
about doing it: Each Assembly District Sub-Com-
m!ttee appointed by Lauterbach was authorized
to revise the enrolment In every one Of the elec-
tion districts In each Assembly district by strik-
ing from the roll the name Of any member who
had removed from the district or had died or had
ceased to be a Republican" No rule was laid
down that should determine this momentous