New-York tribune., 1896-05-31
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
WASHINGTON COUNTY POLITICS
soME CHAPTERS OF RECENT HISTORY BY AN
INTERESTED PARTY-PLATT IN


SOME CHAPTERS OF RECENT HISTORY By AN
INTERESTED PARTY-PLATr IN
BAD WAY THERE.
To the Editor The Tribune.
Sir: Boss Thomas c. Platt has just discovered
how he has been fooled In Washington County. For
many years the ex-Railroad Commlssoner, Isaac "
Baker had been his stanch friend delivering state
delegates of the county solidy for all Platt purposes
Finally. mob convention held In Argyle. which
resulted in the dehronement by force OF Baker ana
the selection OF ant-Baker delegates a contesting
DELEGATION was chosen but at the Saratoga state
Convention Patt turned against Baker and gave
seats 10 the anti-Baker mer. This brought a
ciqu. Of what used TO be known rs "half-oreeds 10
the front, consisting OF ex-Congressman burIeigh
Assemblyman William r. Hcbbie and paper mill
manufacturer one Rowland This clique was
hacked by State Committeeman Witherbee. OF Port
Henry who controlled Platt In the matter. Piatl
was afraid of Withcrbee by reason OF his social re-
lations with Governor Morton. Nitherbce heId
club over Platt's head and said 10 him In substance:
you must give all political patronage 10 We 'he
mics OF Baker or will use my influence win the
C;overnor against YOU" Platt feebly demonstrated
saving. "Why. Mr.. Witherbee. those men have al
vovs been NV enemies" 10 which Mr.. Witherbee re-
nued ..If Won do what tell you. will keep you all
right with Governor Morton. and In addition VIII
guarantee that Burleigh. Hob6io ana ho"'dhu "'''
stand by you In all matters
Plat swallowed the bal. whole ana allo""u W Niu"-
erbee TO dccapiatc Baker and his friends by whole
sale. and TO force the Superintendent of Puoic
Works Mr. Aldridge into the same business Every
Iaborer who sought a chance to shovel dirt on thc
Champlain Canal Section 2. was examined as 10 MS
political friendships ard II he was irlehd ol
Baker or a friend OF any friend OF Bakers ne eou'u
get no chance 10 work. IT was pollcy OF eAteI'"-
nation No charity pity. no justice 70 Iapor-
ing man no mater how hard up he was. II he was a
aud IN order
forced to surrender his manhood and deny MS ien'
ships l., a.. : .,sta,ure m the mas
sage OF the Greater New-York bill AsSemo,S ma 1,
Hobbie changed his vote ana oppo,rn "e NJ i itoy
anu % nominated Warner Miller for Governor.
and there is where witherbee's guarantee falcd
again The organ Of the paper mn ia;s NAN for Me-
THE Fort Edward Adveruser now snouss % Dtee ,D is
~, acain The Washington County Post. "hlch -
~ 80 n, JIobhe and Burcigh Il strongly against
,io M " VI & St rossis nd thai IL where Wtherb"e's
guarantee falls short again. Ana burleigh ~ no. o
Warner Miller for Governor. IN spit OF WliherDce
swarlns with Mckinley and Miller men, aiii n'i
state delegates. who have all been appointed ana
rc controlled by Rurieigh and Hobbie. are strong
for Miller and Mckinley. and that's wherr W I'M mi
,S ina, Wiihcrbce has played double 10 The disrac
lion Of Plat and has delivered him INTO me h""''
OF his enemies in this locality -,-..,.,,.u
o rvcn we while the Witherbce pull was manipulating
noiitcal falrs, the clique which Nas hen'h''I Dy
|, daily and nightly in their a.sembaseS iehouhc, o
drwn The same tactics have been applied hiS9 10
congressman Foot" OF this district ana hephr"
nj Witherbce comes 10 the front aS "A cdnil't. io,
Congress But Foote has made such gool oniclH
ana is a man OF such phi4nthropir ana chlri',1,,e
iife ,hat The Republicans OF tn" district VIII repiii
a,e Witherbecism and stand by Fooir -
II must be- humiliatlng to Governor Morton 20 nave
4, known and talked among leading men thht l'h''
bec Is recognized the power which l"hds MIN py
tho nose II must be comforting 10 fldtt 10 KNOW
,hat Wlthcrbce has fooled and betrayed MN II
must be a pleasure 10 Alr1gc 20 know thit ms "P
pointncnts have been used to break down Platt. IL
must b. agreeable To them all TO know ihAt th'
state delegates OF Washington county are Tor
Warner Miller or anything 10 beat Platt Tor GOV,
crnor and that Burlegh and Hobbe, VINO cohFo
their action are the foes OF Platt ANA ms scheineS
All this simply proves that II woud nave Derh
hefter for Plat 10 have stood by his friends thah
10 be fooled by the Dclahs OF politics even II APP
neorlne I'm tbe seductive form OF Wlth-rbee
P,re 80 ~ I'M x Y Nav e. 1896 MklNLEY.