New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-06
PLATT AND THE PRESIDENCY.
CONFIDENT OF HIS ABILITY TO NAME THE
PARTY CANDIDATE.

TO SECURE \ SOLID Df.l-ffAlioN fh'"i iiii'
STATE HE MUST CONTROL NEw-YoRK CITY
ABSOLUTELY THE CONGRESS Dis
TaIcTs or THE COUNTY NOW STAND
ACCORDING TO THE FRAuDiU-
rLENT ENROLMENT AND
PEIMAEIEs-A REVIEW
OF THE SITUATION.
Platt's pertinacity at least is admirable
Whatever else may be said no one can deny
that in the steady pursuance of the one great
object of his political existence he has displayed
ths quality to a marked degree. Ever since his
inelorious eclipse in 1881 he has set his heart
upon rehabitating himself by securing can
met portfolio. His beginnings We're modest
enough. He was in the National Con
yeution OF lSS4-thc first after MS DOWN
fail with Conkling-at which Blaine was
nominated but though active and toler-
ably effective there he was comparatively
unobtrusive. This may be said or MS courS"
throughout that memorable campaign O'hei
mon Of his ability we're much more in evidence.
lie was scarcely needed. AT the state '"hVeh-
,io, that wear where. owing to slipshod man
agement. Arthurs forces had been peateh'
plat pIacod himself under Warner Miller's COM
mand and demurey asked for orders 10"
ara tho Ross and I'm here to do your bidding.
was his remark.
This was his attitude for long time pro-
Tossing TO be meek ana lo"Iy l""""c' VI
Miller but all the while strengthening his lines
here there and wherever he could 'hrous"o"'
tho state. II was slow work, and terribly dis-
couragng at times. but he was pa''eh' an"
rerseyering. Miller's attempt to go back to the
,,,if Il,
SELF. He embraced it by bringing forward his
old friend and hacker. Levi L. Morton against
Miller. Morton had tried to 60 to the Senate al
the expiration Of Lapham's term. put WIS
h.a,en bv Mr. Evarts backed 10y the Union
League club. after an exciting campaign '''
ron failed again. but Plat succeeded or rather
lion" Pawn for 1t was Payn that ac,uany pr
formed The feat In transferring Morton's entire
strength To Frank Hiscock. thus beating M'''o'
and clecting United States Senator entirely
satisfactory to Platt-hs "errand boy III ia'''
according to MIR Hscock's own playful con
fcssion subsequently,. This victory rNe'"'
platts grip upon the State machine He owed
il To- Morton and Payn more than any one e'sV'
HIS HOLD ON THE MACHINE.
IJo had II, difficulty I'm maintaining his h"ld
for from 1884 To- 1858 was "A period commonly
referred to as the twilight Of Republican P'"-
tics in this State. The old leaders had p"~''
away or dropped out Of active labor Arthur
,liad and conlxing went back to his law prac-
ilc4. Depew gave himself ny T. railroad man
agcmcnt: Miller to his paper mills. The old
Stalwart element seemed to pass out oi siRht
with them Mr. Morton however. remained
faithful to Plat Republican campaigns failed
ia arouse interest. They ended invariably In
disaster Nominations FOR Office were looked
unon as wraihful visitations II Heaven. Men
fed from them across the sea az from plague
Gradually Plat came 10 have "A cleaT he'u u
himself No one disputed his sway. Nhat was
left Of tho party organization became ms DS
default The Legislature remained Republican,
&C . rule. n. apprcciated it's value better than
other pcoplc and made the most ~ T.. what
cha, meant became more apparent in lNSS. when
~ marched into the Republican National Con-
vcntion with practically solid delegation be-
hind him. To BE- sure. he did not claim tnat
openly; he allowed Dcpew and Miller ana His
cock and Tracy and Fassett and every body else
10 have all they wanted 10 cay. lie even
"whoop,d II up for Dcpw. just as he is now
whooping It up FOR Morton. but when the time
came for business ne WAS in command. lie
cxpected to swing the delegation FOR John Sh"r-
man: IN fact he authorized a statement la that
effect 20 10 10 the press about midnight
Of the Sunday preceding IIarrisons npmi-
nation but later changed his mind
The reason why he did has long since
become one Of his ancient tales OF woe. He
claimed the Treasuryship In consequence ~ an
interview with a friend ~ General Harrison
The claim was not allowed. and Plat has never
since been friendly with General Harrison or
Senator Elklns. The Navy Department was
given to his friend. General Tracy. and the
Ill. Il
but even this failed to pacfy him. General
Tracy became a convert e. Civil Service reform.
and a few Offices were passed around among
Republicans not enrolled under Platt's banner.
the Collectorship Of the Port. for example.
which went to Colonel Erhardt-
PLATTs DISAPPOINTMENT
ONLY his intimate friends know how bitterly
disappointed Platt felt his failure to get
into Harrison's Cabinet. He could not get over
If. ne probably never Will Because Of it he OPP
posed Harrisons denomination in 1892. and OPP
posed him after all hope Of successful opposition
was gone Indeed. before the vote was taken the
offer was made by Of IIarrison's most re-
sponsiblc managers that Patt should make the
nomination and occupy the same relation In the
distribution II Federal patronage as before, but
Plat spurned the proposition In the same bit-
ter hostile spirit that he now displays toward
the possible candidacy Of the gentleman from
Indiana OF course. he afterward took on his
coat when Harrison's election seemed probable.
thereby demonstrating the fact that he was not.
is not never has been. or never Will b. anything
in politics but an opportunist, and one without
single fixed principle or policy.
The Republican defeat in 1892 did not shake
platt's hold on the machine He had been
STRENGTHENING himself during the four years of
Republican administrations, and while the party
defeats, that of Fasseu particularly. had shaken
all faith in his leadership. no one came forward
10 dispute his authority. THIS was unfortunate.
II would have been comparatively easy task
then TO rid the party Of his incubus. lie was