New-York tribune., 1896-05-25
WORK OF THE MKINLEY LEAGUE.

GREAT PROGRESS MADE IN THE VARIOUS
COUNTIES OF THE STATE.
So many contradictory statements have appeared
in reference the work of the Mckinley League OF
this State and of the recent conferences at the state
Club that 1t is not surprising much confusion or
ideas exists on the subject
AS will be remembered. the league was started
last winter Immediately after the announcement that
Mr. Platt proposed to hold snap State Convention
to force the delegates from this State to support his
Presidential candidate Governor Morton. Reputable
Republicans of the State, who were IN touch with
the people believed that overwhelming majority
OF the members of the party were in favor OF VIII
lam Mckinley. and the League was started for the
purpose of permitting expression Of this widespread
sentiment that the machine was ignoring In Mr..
Platts interests on the night before the state
Convention Cooper Union filed 10 over1owing
with the Republicans in favor of Mckinley. Reso-
lutions for the organization of the Mckinley forces
throughout the State were adopted. and the League
formed.
The first work OF the League to hold mass
meetings throughout the State. This has been done
thoroughly and systematically. until there Is not an
important point to-day that has not been visited.
At the same time the work of organization has been
pushed most energeticaily and with extraordinary
results In the majority OF the counties Mckinley
leagues have been formed absolutely independent OF
the Patt machine, though 1t must be said that hun
dreds of the followers OF Plat have identhed them
selves with the new movement. TO Illustrate thS
remark the case OF Broome County may be cited.
This Is supposed to be the stronghold Of Platism in
the Southern tier George w. Dunn and Mayor
Green. Of Bnghamton, have controlled this for
| Years and as a result they had strong organiza-
ton on which Plat could depend absolutely. When
| the Mckinley movement struck the county. about
| three weeks ago. ex-Mayor Bayless. of Bnghamton.
took hold OF It, His league is not yet month old,
but 1t already numbers 1900 members. and is
superjor in every way TO the old Plat organization.
This is only one OF score Of Illustrations that
| might be cited
Reports made at the meeting of the state Club on
| Friday night opened the eyes OF some OF the men
who were not familiar with what the Mckinley
| League had accomplished. Dock Commissioner Elm
STEIN for example, agreeably surprised to learn
that this work had been so long under way. or. as
General Thomas humorously remarked. the pro-
| cesson was about fifteen miles down the road ="
The Mckinley League aims to be nothing less than
| the Republican organization of the State, and as
| such It's doors open to all Republicans, re-
gardess of past alliances previous conditions OF
| political servitude
The Leagues purpose Ia perfectly clear Mr. Plat,
| and his men have not only declared their hostility
| to McKineys nomination, but have openly an
| nounced their determination to defeat him. 90 far
az In their power lies in this State. Mr. Platt can
| not make terms with Mckinley. and he knows the
| Federal patronage will never be intrusted to his
| distribution. The Mckinley League will handle the
| campaign from start 10 finish Realizing this. Mr.
Platt proposes to elect Governor and an Assembly
| so that he can control the State government and
| elect himself TO the United States Senate The
necessity therefore OF making the Mckinley League
| the strongest possible organization becomes ap
parent Its leaders fully appreciate this, and they
are pushing the work its uttermost detail by
the time the ST. Louis Convention will be held they
will be In a position to say 10 the National Com
mlttee that they prepared TO assume entire re-
| sponsbility for the Presidential campaign In th,
State.
To carry this work effectively II will be
| sary to take some radical steps. and 1t is just
| this point that conflicting reports have ariser
in the minds OF many people.
There are sixty counties In this State; in abou
| half dozen of them the machine Is run IL is II
| New-York City--that is to say. Republicans no
permitted to take part In the primaries the
| cuses. In Onondaga County, for example. every
| Republican who voted for the reform candidate fol
Mayor last fall Is denied the right to have anything
to say III the regular party organization. In Al
| bany County the machine is conducted in simila
| manner The system prevails in Monro'
County and Niagara County. In New-York the
| chine is made up of nearly 45 per cent of Tammanl
Hall men, There two three other places II
the State where this evil system prevails also bu
in the other ffty more counties there is din
| Guilty whatever In Republicans taxing part in th
| caucuses and primaries. The majority of tn
| counties will take OF themselves easily but II
New-York Syracuse. Albany and the other points
! is necessary to take radical action. The McKinle,
| League has been started to give the Republicans o
| NeW-York City an honest organization.