Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-30
GREATER new YORK |
Effect Upon State Politics if the
Bin is Signed.
Mr. PIA1T PLAYING FOR Big STAKES
His Great Power If He Can Con-
troll the Municipality.
MAYDROP NATIONAL AFFAIRS

The paramount question Of the moment
in New York political circles relates to
the probable effect Of the greater New
York bill, now before Gov. Morton for his
signature. on the local situation In the
coming campaign. Although supported In
the Legislature by a number OF democrats.
the measure is recognized as distinctly Mr.
Platt's. The republican leader is playing
for big stakes this year, and TINS Is re-
garded as his leading card. Gov. Morton,
it is thought, will sign the bill. notWith-
| standing the fact that there is much oppo-
sition to 1t in influential quarters. A mass
meeting will take place at Cooper Union
tonight to give formal expression to this
opposition, and to prefer request to the
governor to veto the measure.
Powerful Quantity I'm State Affairs.
If the bill becomes iaw-and all specula-
ton about it proceeds upon the assump-
ton that it will become lava new ana
powerful quantity will have to be reckoned
with in the states affairs. Hitherto the
city of New York has controlled the state.
Tammany las had but to hump itself to
insure that result. But the lines of the
proposed new city take in Brooklyn and
a large territory above that, and Will thus
bring an enormous population under the
Can the democrats capture the new city,
with it's patronage and seductive benefac-
tons?
Democrats nt II Disadvantage.
The change, 1t is admitted, will come at
time when the democrats are at dis
advantage. If Richard Croker were on
deck on the one side of the East river, AS
of old. and Hugh Mclaughlin on deck on
the other side. the problem would be
simple one. The two bosses would simply
join machines and take possession of the
enlarged bailiwick and apportion the ia
vors between them. But both are out of
power. and their followers somewhat dis
couraged. Mr.. Mclaughlin Is an old man,
and there seems to be little probability of
his ever coming to the front again. SO
that, with the Croker and the Mclaughlin
machines both dismantled, Mr.. Piatt it
would appear. ought to be able at the
start at least, to profit by the transaction.
He will have so many inducements TO hold
out to those who may be i'll state of
betweenity and anxious to go where there
Is the most reward that it will be strange,
it is thought, II he does not succeed in in
augurating the new municipal government
with agents of his own and on lines of his
own.
What Nr. PIatt May Do.
1t is thought to be question, too. whether
this scheme-wbich is gigantic in every
way-may not lessen somewhat Mr. Platt's
spects the st. Louis nomination. Things in
a national way have not been going to
suit Mr.. Pfatt. The country has not re-
SpOnded to his recommendation of Governor
Morton for President. His own state, in
deed. has shown discouraging divisions on
the subject. Why, then, devote any more
time to a losing game at a distance when
a winning game is on at home? Why not
address himself exclusively to the ask of
realizing to the very full on what Is recog-
niZed as one of the most notable pieces of
legislation In the history of New York?
Politics on N Large Scale.
1t is agreed that the greater New York
will afford splendid opportunity for politics
on a large scale. If Mr.. Plat can succeed
in bossing the new city as Richard Croker
has In times past bossed the old one he will
become the most powerful man in the world
as factor in municipal affairs He will
weld more influence than many governors
and some cabinet officers and he may find
In his new job enough to console him for
the loss of the secre:aryship of the treas
ury-the place upon which he has had his
eyes nxed for many years, but which seems
continually to recede from him.