New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-28
A RIFLE OR RUIN "BOSS."

po,uhl,con marty of this State as II ap-
noared in the late State Convention. ana
N mint OFT the lessons TO be deriVeu
thorefrom by Democratic leaders. The SUM-
f. may be remarked. now that the lam
many Democracy-of which ii has always Dcen
most plausible advocate ana conspicuous
chamnion-is in something resembling collapse
mr. inrocuous desuetude. finds an outlet lor us
no,iticol activities and source of entertainment
for It's readers in chdmpioning IN manner
neculiarly its own the cause OF the hep"pi'can
"Ross." Mr. Thomas G. Plat. 1t has, ana ue-
serves. Mr.. Platts confidence, for 1t has done
and is doing him greater service IMAM III ."c
newspapers he controls put together WIFI
they do in payment for past ana the nope Vi
future favors The sun does from pure love
Of FIN. with an occasional suggestion OF love OF
mischief Not that our contemporary is ihsih-
cere Considering its constant ana nearly sup
mort Of tho Tammany Democracy. II IS the most |
natural thing in the world that while lalhHan! |
Is in temporary eclipse II should devote Hscii
70 the kind Of politics most nearly lIihHi'h! |
and the political fortunes of the Rcpuollcah
leader who in victory or defeat has always p'eh
In such close relations with the Tammany "aa
ers os 70 be able TO do business with them on
terms profitable 10 both
Our contemporary says, among other thhES'
that the reason why so many New-lork kepuo-
leans are for Mckinley IS because they believe
that his nomination and election rs PRESIDENT
would take out of the hands of Mr.. imt' ana
Mr. Platts associates the patronage "i New
York and the influence OF the Washington AL
administration In NewYork politics rs thorough
..lv as did the installation Of Hayes In 1871 or
.the Inauguration Of General Garfield in ISL.
"I+ Is this one thing which the Platt regulars.
"once called Stalwaris. are bound ana deter
"minel 10 prevent" This may be true II Is,
at any rate. n reasonable theory. For great
many New-York Republicans remember that Mr.
Platt was included in programme which hId
been arranged by certain persons for President
HAYES In 1877, wherein he was 10 be Postmaster
General and that President Hayes. who had not
been consulted. having declined 70 make any
such appointment. Mr. Platt ut once made war
on the Administration He was temporary
chairman OF the State Convention ut Rochester
that year, and upon that occasion read from
manuscript the only speech. SO far as we know.
| that he ever delivered in public 1t was a rough
| arraig nment OF the Administration for having
taken as the New York member OF the Cabinet
| William NJ Evarts for Secretary OF State in
stead Of Thomas G. Plat for Postmas'cr-tien-
eral 1t was, in fact, a declaration or war
against n Republican Administration. Senator
Conkllng. who had been named as permanent
presiding officer, thorcup0n, In order 10 fix The
attitude of the party In this State toward It's
own Administration. declined the office and
| moved the substitution of Mr.. Platts name Tor
his own, which was so voted.
That was Mr.. Plat in 1877. The effect upon
the party was shown IN the election following.
hal rial tn 1,s,
1900 majority was lost by 1000 in 1877 1t
was crop Of his sowing and soon gathered.
In 1881 under the Administration Of President
| Garfield TO which THE Sun" makes reference,
Mr.. Platt, having been elected United States
Senator, again demanded Federal patronage.
Having been refused by President Garfield, who
| had appointed a Collector Of the Port OF New
York not on Mr. Platt's books or counted In his
following, he again declared n Repub
lean Administration. and in the confidence be-
gotten OF his previous success again undertook
TO array the Republican party of New-York on
his side in facional revolt. This time he at
tempted, in company with Senator Conkl!ng the
biggest game Of bluff ever played in American
politics. The two Senators resigned and came
home-the Legislature being in sesson-ln the
most confident expectation Of a reelection That,
as they we'll knew, would have split the party
beyond healing: and these two would have been
leaders Of one-half Of II. But the Legislature
and the whole party were tired Of that sort OF
foollng Both Senator's were taken ut their word
. and left at home COnkllng never reappcarcd
in public life and Plat kept out OF sight for
, several years 1t was quite in line with Mr..
, Platt's public career that when President Ar
thur upon his accession to office refused to graf
. ify Platt's desire for revenge and greed Of
patronage he broke with him also. and was to
[ the day OF his death his political enemy. The
effect Of this performance Of Mr.. Platt upon the
| Republican party of this State that the
| Democrats carried the State by nearly 100000
| majority Mt the next election, and the Rcpub-
| leans never elected a Governor until 1894, an
interregnum Of twelve years.
1.-THE Sun" might have added that this "slicl;
citizen" and successful leader. having come
0 again to the surface In 1888, made arrangements
r to have himself appointed Secretary OF the
Treasury in President Harrsons Cabinet and
being disappointed in his expectations, again
declared war, though this time not so openly
and audaciorsy, against Republican Admin
4 istration. This time he played 1t low down and
only used the party machinery. OF which he had
: gained control, TO badger the President, while
+ playing smooth politics and getting out OF HIN
o as much patronage as he could. And The Sun
e might have added nlsO that this man broke oil
$ with Mayor Strong, and has been waging re
!. lentless war on him and his administration fol
no other reason than that the Mayor refused
g his demand for patronage. and especially thu
n demand that two incompetent Police Commits
> sioners secured by deal with Tammany should
= be continued in Office.
t Yes; THE Sum- Is. no doubt, correct The OF