New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-18
PLATT'S BAD BLUNDER
THE FIZZLE OF THE STATE COMMITTEE
MEETING.


TRAsTED WITH HIS PRESENT OUTBREAKS
AGAINST THE OHIO Statesman =
QUOTED AGAINST HIMSELF.
What did Mr.. Platt mean by It? Why did hs
call the members Of his State Committee to-
gether at this time? Wherein I'D he accomplish
any practical result? What benefit has this ~
msrka BILE action been to him? 49,
These questions the politicians bc gan asking
ore another the result OF the meet
Ing was announced on Saturday Afternoon. They
have been doing so ever since, and the convic-
tion is slowly but surely fastening itself upon
them that a blunder has beer made In the
view Of hard-headed observers. who look at such
things calmly and dispassionately. the meeting
PROFESSIONALLY was a mistake-a serious one
too. It Is among the worst that Mr.. Platt has
made In many a day. To appreciate fully the
ground Of this statement a word Of explanation
may be necessary.
Mr.. Patt IS beaten, and badly beaten. He
knows 1t we'll as anybody else He is In far
more desperate straits than he was in the fight
over the Worlds Fair five years ago. 1t will be
remembered that he counter to public senti-
ment in that famous contest and almost
ruined in consequence The newspapers that are
now supporting him, particularly THE Sum-" de-
nounced him In unmeasured terms. His POSI-
ton became critical In the darkest hour OF
the struggle 1t suggested that the State
Committee was friendly to him he could strength
en- himself by its Endorsement Of his attitude
toward the Fair. He acted on the suggestion.
The Committee called, and after a red-hot
fight sustained him. That was the precedent he
undertook to follow last week.
In his final effort to stave of inevitable defeat
he has been attacking Mckinley in most per
sstent manner. The party throughout the State
is deeply incensed at his action. His position
having become untenable. he undertook to re.
habitate himself as he did before. Recalling
his Worlds Fair experience. he summoned his
supporters who control up-the-state organiza-
tons But the situation to-day is quite differ
ent from that which confronted him in 1891.
The people of New-York are more interested in
the Presidential election than they were In the
Worlds Fair. Not only that, the committee.
however desirous they of carrying out his
orders dared not to the lengths he intended
they should go when he called them together.
They dared not. for the reason that their con.
stituencies would not tolerate 1t. Mr.. Platt
wanted them to denounce Mckinley just as
recklessly as he has been doing, but every mem-
ber knew that If he did so he would simply sign
his own political death warrant So this part OF
the programme had to be abandoned.
Mr.. DeEeW. delegate-dt-larBe, 10 WHOM tuo
task of nominating Morton has been assigned.
declared several days ago that the overwhelming
sentiment of the party for Mckinley His
words were supplemented by those OF another
delegate-at-large, Mr. Miller, who declared Mo.
Kinley to be his second choice. and calmly an
nounced himself as being entirely satisfied with
the money views of the leading Republicans
candidate.
UNABLE TO CONTROL THEM.
The result was when the members got 10.
gether that Platt found himself utterly unable
to control them 1t was awkward state Of az
fairs but there nothing to do but make the
best OF Il. The best Of It the adoption Of
"Aby" Gruber's unobJectlonable resolutions In
place Of the fierce philippe that Congressman
Quigg Is said to have prepared. Then followed
some perfunctory talk about going to st. Louis in
special trains, after which the committee ad-
jouynAd as crestfallen and disgusted body Of
politicians as ever went forth from the corridors
OF the Fifth Avenue Hotel. The whole affair was
a fizzle and Mr.. Plat would give a good share OF
his yearly income IL the committee meeting had
never been called. He has gained absolutely
nothing by It.; he has lost immeasurably. 1t is
fitting prelude to the overthrow that awaits him
a month hence in st. Louis.
This meeting OF the State Committee however
is quite IN harmony with the entire campaign
that Plat has conducted regarding the Presi-
dency. His whole fight so far has been comedy
Of errors from beginning 10 end. He began with
the Brunswick dinner. that unfortunate affair
at which he and Quay and Clarkson and the
others paraded themselves before the country az
members OF the Presidential Trust, favorable to
the nomination OF Speaker Reed. Up to that
time Mr.. Reed was one OF the foremost candi-
dates. but no sooner had he received this indorse-
ment than his fortunes began 10 wane. and have
been waning ever since. to the great regret Of
thousands and thousands Of Ills sincere admirers
and friends Mr. Plat was the most conspicuous
figure at the dinner. Notwithstanding the fact
that his State Convention .ast year had formally
placed Mr.. Morton in the field. The inconsist-
ency Of his position pointed out by the Gov
ernor. He fastened to make reparation. but. Of
course. 1t was too late. Mr.. Mortons canvass
was never taken seriously. and he has Mr.. Platt
to thank for that mole than anybody else.
Then followed the launching of the booms Of the
various "favorite sons silly proceeding. that
only served to make the bosses ridiculous.
Equally unfortunate was the attempt to rally
around Allison but the most farcical feature was
the effort to induce President Harrison. whom
the bosses started out to defeat. tc accept their
support against Mckinley.
In brief every attempt on Platts part has
been failure. and his final attack on McKnley's
record is the most unfortunate OF all for him. He
has not only linked himself with his old enemies.
the Mugwumps. with the Tammany Hall organ
and the out-and-out Democratic newspapers. but
he hes invited attention to his own record on
this question, which he certainly ought to have
avoided.
GLANCE AT HIS RECORD.
Mr. Platt declares himself to be In opposition
TO Mr. Mckinley because Of Mr.. McKinley's radi-
cal views on the tariff and his friendliness tow.
ard silver In the light Of these objections Il
i.e rela % glance Mr. Plattl