New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-18
WARNER MILLERS KNOCKOUT.

1t has been the singular good fortune of eX-
Senator Warner Miller twice during the last
year. by the force of his personal character, the
sincerity Of his convictions and his sturdy inde-
Dendence, TO save his party, or its accredited
representatives. from committing disastrous
bunders The first occasion was last Septem
Der at Saratoga. when a Boss ridden State con-
vcnton, tcrror-strcken at the clamor raised by
Tammany liquorsellerS and saloonkeepers
against the enforcement OF the Sunday laws oy
Republican officials. had resolved to dodge the
most vital issue of the hour and disgrace the
party by an unprecedented and shameful
exhibition of political cowardice. 1t was AFTER
little LeXOw in the chair, by the direction OF
Platt, Lauterbach ald Fish, had declared the
platform adopted and the business disposed OF,
that Warner Miller disputed little Lexow's rul-
Ing, compelled its reversal demanded ana OBJ
tanned a hearing and in few stirring words
rescued the convention from the leadership or
cowardice. forcing 1t 10 the field from winch II
was flying and the duty il had undertaken 10
evade The Tribune said then, and repeats IL
now. that mo praise Is too great Tor the man
"who took such convention as that at Saratoga
"out of the hands of the man who, to all out
ward seeming, owned and controlled II, ana
faced it about from cowardly retreat 10 d
firm determined and unanimous stand Tor prln-
"ciple" That was a time when Warner Miller
did an uncOmmonly good days work for the Re
publican party.
He did another last Friday, when, over his
own signature he administered dignited and
fitting rebuke to the gang of rulc-or-run machine
managers who for weeks past have been pros
ttuting their functions as the executive Dody
of the State Republican organization, ana
treacherousy misusing the partys funds in cir
culating through Democratic and Nugwump
newspapers the most villanous SANDERS and
caumnes upon the eminent and honored RepuD-
lican who is undoubtedly the party's choice, ana
will be its nominee for President. 1t was the
same gang whose plans he had Overthrown at
Saratoga There they were bent on disgracing
the party by sneaking cowardice; here they
were on the point of fastening upon 1t the stigma
of their own dslOyaty and treachery The
State Committee had been called together with
the purpose, which had been publicly announced.
of assuming responsibility, on behalf Of the
whole party, for Platts bitter and relentless
personal war upon Mr. Mckinley, and for all the
false and slanderous accusations he had been
pouring out through the Democratic and Mug
wump press 1t was ntended-and there was no
concealment Of the intent-to pass resolutions OF
so bitter and uncompromising character as to
make. not only the advocacy OF McKlnleys
nomination. but his support. after fair and
regular nomination. impossible for Republicans
who consider themselves bound by the action
of the regular party organization.
1t was at this iuncture that Warner Miller
sent out the ringing rebuke to McKinleys cal
umnators and sandcrcrs. which appeared in
Saturdays Tribune, and with it the announce
ment that. after Governor MOrton-for whom
he should vote under his instuctions-hls sec
ond choice was Mckinley. whom. from twenty
years acquaintance, he knew to be IAN honest,
straightforward, conscientious and able man."
As to the doubts which the Platt-ClaTksOn COM
binatiOn are striving TO cast upon Mckinlcys
financial record, he simply dismissed them with
the remark that, as business man deeply in
terested in both the currency and tariff ques-
tons he would not support platform or can
didate that was not OutspOken for sound money.
The publication was effective 1t put sudden
end to the treacherous plot Of the contrivers OF
mischief and organizers Of defeat. They sat
around the Fifth Avenue Hotel on Saturday
sullen and morose. but completely cowed and
after transacting some unimportant routine bust
ness went away cursng Warner Miller under
their breath II does not often happen to one
man to defeat the same gang twice in a single
year, each time with one single well-directed
blow. 1t was a great and useful service, and
Warner Miller Is entitled to the gratitude OF the
Republican party In unusual measure for 1t.