New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09
WAR ON WARNER MILLER.
THE STATE MACHINE TRYING TO BEAT
HIM IN HERKIMER COUNTY.

EXPECTS TO WIN.
[FRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Herkimer, Aug S-Rcpublicans elsewhere in
the State may be surprised to learn that most
determined effort is being made by "the organi-
cation" Of the Republican party to prevent the
election of Warner Miller a delegate from
Herkimer County to the Republican State Con-
vention The words the organization" are
Used because It Is the phrase customarily en-
ployed by Thomas c. Platt Charles w. Hackett,
Louis F. Payn and other Republicans who now
control the Republican State Committee to con-
ceal their own personality.
And why is the organization" opposed to Mr..
Miller? That is an inquiry doubtless. which
many Republican voters will make.
An inquiry Of any organization man" reveals
the fact that the opposition to Mr. Miller's cleo
ton as q delegate to the Republican State Con-
yention is an attempt to sthe independent think
ing and freedom OF speech within the ranks of
the Republican party. Mr.. Mners personality,
therefore, is not the issue. He is now Sc
lected for attack a warning TO all inde-
pendent spirits that hereafter free speech and
free thought within the Republican party will
not be permitted
MR. MILLER'S OFFENCES.
Mr. Miller upon four occasions within year
has shown that he considers himself at liberty
to decide for himself what 1t is best for the Re-
publican party to do in any emergency. He
has not gone to the organization" for instruc-
ton or to receive orders.
He opposed at the Republican State Conven-
ton Of 1895 the organizations cowardly policy
of silence regarding the question Of the Sunday
sale Of liquor, and suggested rstead that
plank should be adopted in favor OF maintain
ing the Sunday laws '1n the interest Of labor
and morality" The convention followed Mr..
Millers lead and adopted by an almost unani-
nous vote his courageous plank. The Repub-
lican party did not suffer by it, but carried the
State by nearly 100000 plurality. This was
offence No. ! by Mr.. Miller.
There then followed Mr.. Mier's stand in COM
pany with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS axton, the Rev
Dr. Richard s Storrs and other eminent Repub-
leans regarding the Greater New-York bill be-
fore the Legislature last winter He said that the
citizens Of Brooklyn ought to have the privilege
az voting upon the charter of the enormous city
provided for by the act. The organization 1t
will be remembered damned" the bill through
the LEGISLATURE and over the heads Of Mayor
Strong Of New-York and Mayor Wurster. Of
Rrooklyn who had vetoed it, and then induced
Governor Morton to sign 1t. This was offence
No . by Mr.. Miller.
Offence No was possibly the worst in the eyes
OF the. organization" Mr. Miller favored the
nomination Of. Governor Morton for President.
but when Thomas c. Plat, the head of the or
ganization" assaed Major Mckinley, then the
leading Republican candidate for the nomination.
Mr. Miller protested In indignant terms against
this attack. and expressed his high regard for
Major Mckinley Probably Mr.. Miller never will
be forgiven by the organization" for thus COM
ing 10 Major McKinley's defence.
II was at the Republican National Convention
that Mr. Miller committed his last offence in the
eyes Of the organization" He actually had the
audaclty to protest against the selection Of Mr..
Plat as the chairman of the New-York delega-
ton. on the ground that Major McKinley's nom
nation FOR President was inevitable and there
fore. 1t was unwise to make Mr.. Plat. who had
assalled him, spokesman OF the NewYork dele
CATION
Besides this desire for revenge, Mr.. Platt has
undoubtedly another reason for wishing TO COM
PASS the defeat Of Mr. Miller Mr.. Plat is anx-
ious To have in his hands the entire conduct Of
the National campaign in this State. II he can
defeat Warner Miller, he will then say to Nc
Kinley: These mer who supported you in New
York State amounted to nothing. The most in
fuential one among them. Warner Miller could
not even carry his own county
Mr.. Miller is busy making his preparations to
go to- Maine to make speeches for Mckinley and
Hobart and it is rather annoying to him to have
his attention diverted by an attack upon him
within the lines of the Republican party. He
has been profoundly astonished to discover that
TWO Of the great State Departments at Albany
the Department Of Public Works and the De-
partment Of Agriculture-are distributing Of
fees and promising patronage TO induce Repub-
lican party leaders in the county 70 leave HIM
at home when they elect delegates to the Repub-
lican State Convention.
PATRONAGE USED AGAINST HIM
1T strikes me an almost unprecedented
thing" said Mr.. Miller to-day, for the organiza-
ton OF the Republican party 10 use the offices
at the command Of the party to infict injury
upon a Republican. Patronage is usually used
against the Democratic party. Now it appears It
IS 10 be used against this that Republican.
who happens to differ with the leaders Of the Re-
publican machine We Independent Republi-
cans of Herkimer County, however. are entirely
confident OF success at the Assembly District
Convention, which will be held in the middle OF
August to elect delegates to the Republican State
Convention. We shall have a large majority OF
the delegates elected 70 the convention.
The money the people Of this State pay in
taxes is being recklessy spent here in the In
terest Of a faction. This is the first time in the
course Of my long connection with politics that
the distribution Of patronage to carry party
caucuses has ben done In so open and
brazen a way. These proceedings will all be
exposed in due time, and the people permitted TO
see what is being done in this county. and how.
The question will be asked whether a group Of
Republican politicians and State officials have
the right to the peoples money In this way.
Men are being appointed TO office In utter dis
regard Of the spirit and letter Of the Civil Service
provisions Of the Constitution. The canal pat
ronage. especially. is being used in this way
II understand that in one town the opportunity
to name four men for employment in the De-
partment Of Public Works has been offered 10
prominent Republican. II he will guarantee the
selection Of organization delegates from that
town. The taxpayers money Is being wasted
| repeat. for factional purposes. II is the most
shameful thing / ever saw, and the Herkmer
County people will not stand II. They are not
used to that sort OF thing. and can be depended
upon TO rebuke IT,"