The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-03
THOMAS PLATT WILL
STEER THE SHIP
The Management Of the New York Cam.
paigu Is in His Hands.
HE MEETS CHAIRMAN MARK HANNA
They, with Hobart, Hackett and Lau.
terbach, Have Long Talk..All
Heartily Agreed..Stump Campaign
to Open ut Once..EXccutive Com.
mittee Not Filled Up.

New York, Aug. 2.-Chairman Mark
A. Hanna Of the Republican national
committee and ex-senator Thomas c.
Platt met yesterday afternoon just be-
fore 3 o'clock in the rooms of the ma
tional committee and were in consulta-
ton for an hour and a half. According
to arrangement, Chairman Hackett of
the Republican state committee and
President Lauterbach Of the county
committee accompanied Mr., Platt.
Briefly stated. this was the result of
the conference:
Mr. Hanna said that he had intended
all along that the state committee
should have full control Of the CAM
paign In this state. He had always ad-
mired the thoroughness of the organi.
zation Of the New York state machine
and 1t is said he jokingly referred to
the fact that he had wanted to be
Platt man in New York when he was
looking for Mckinley delegates. Since
coming to the city he has been more
than ever impressed with the effective
organization Of Mr.. Platt's political
machine and the absolute loyalty OF
its members to their chief. He had
long been convinced that the ticket
was to have some of its most effective
helpers In the leaders of the New York
organization. MIR. Hobart had told
him of the wonderfully good work Mr.
Plat had done In former years, not
only in getting votes, but in raising
funds for national campaigns.
Mr. Hobart repeated his former as
sertions on these points. Finally Mr..
Hanna said that such experienced cam
paigners as Mr. Platt and Chairman
Hackett knew what was best to be
done In this state. and he proposed that
the conduct of the national campaign
here should be turned over to the state
committee absolutely and that all mat
ters relating to the state campaign
which may be brought to the attention
of the national campaign managers
shall be referred to Chairman Hackett
The latter assured Mr.. Hanna that all
persons referred to him on matters per-
tanning to the campaign will be cOur-
teously received and that their sugges-
tions will be duly considered
MONEY THE CHIEF ISSUE.
The issues Of the campaign were
talked over Mr.. Platt and his friends
said that the money question is the
chief issue here, and Mr.. Hanna COIN
cided with them. Mr.. Lauterbach said
that the tariff Issue had settled itself
1t has been demonstrated, he said, that
the present tariff does not raise enough
revenue for the purposes Of the govern
ment, and that one which will can
readily be drawn to afford ample pro-
lection to American industries.
The subject of holding a big ratifica-
tion meeting as an opening gun Of the
campaign in the state was brought up.
Mr.. Hanna vetoed this proposition some
days ago when he heard of 1t. but the
clamor of the business interests has
convinced him that the stump campaign
must be begun at once, and he said sO
Mr.. Hackett said he would Telegram phi to
eX-President Harrison without delay
and ask him II he can speak at a meet
ing this week. General Harrison had
almost agreed 10 speak at a meeting
to be held this week when Chairman
Hanna asked that the matter be de-
layed. Mr.. Hanna talked with General
Harrison about the matter when the
latter came down from the Adiron-
dacks last week.
This meeting which Is to be held will
not be non-partisan. Mr.. Hanna Is in
favor of non-partisan meetings, and Of
assisting such meetings by national,
state, and local committees, but meet
ings held under the auspices of such
committees he believes should be abso-
lutely partisan in character. This Is
the idea of ex-President Harrison, which
he expressed when last in the city.
Another subject discussed at the con-
ference was the appointment of the
ninth member of the executive commit
tee. There Is some opposition by War
ner Miller and his friends to the ap-
pointment of National Committeeman
Gibbs, of this state. Candidate Hobart
is practically the ninth member Of the
committee now. 1t was determined not
to make an appointment for some time
yet. Meantime, however, Mr.. Gibbs
who has an office just under Mr. Han
mas room, will be at l Madison avenue
every day, and will have more or less
to do with the work of the campaign.
Mr.. Hanna's visitors We're greatly
pleased with the manner of their re-
ception and the directness and frank
ness Of the national chairman. Mr.
Platt has known Mr. Hanna as a good
business man, and his only former ex-
perience with him In a political way
was when Mr.. Hanna was skirmishing
for national delegates. Whenever Mr..
Hanna had anything to say yesterday
he always talked to the point, and did
Of zI~1 A..
bush. Chairman Hackett said later
that the comparison with his expert
ences with the national committee of
1892 was most agreeable. In 1892 Mr..
Hackett visited national headquarters
just once, and then he was compelled to
wait two hours to see Chairman Carter.
The character OF his reception was such
that he never went again.
WHAT CAUGHT MIR. PLATT.
Chairman Hanna's direct way of do
ing things caught on with Mr.. Platt
and his lieutenants.
Mr.. Lauterbach said after the confer
ence:
"Mr. Hanna Is a good politician. He
has that in him which would make him
a first-class district leader in this city.
l couldn't pay him higher compliment
as any one who has tried political lead
ership in an assembly district knows.
Oh, yes; we had most agreeable time
1t could not have been more satisfac-
tory II Mr. Platt. Mr.. Hackett. and my
self had sat down and arranged 1t all
by ourselves"
Mr.. Platt said:
'There is very little to tell. We met
Mr. Hanna by appointment: had very
pleasant chat. and everything is ar
ranged for the conduct of the cam
paign by the state committee. l shall
probably call and see Mr.. Hanna at
national headquarters frequently"