New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-21
Mr. LAUTERBACHS RETIREMENT.

The retirement Of Mr. Edward Lauterbach
from the presidency of the Republican County
Committee which now seems a settled thing,
has been so long contemplated and so fully dis
cussed in all its bearings that 1t cannot be said
10 have taken either his immediate associates
or the community at large by surprise. In the
illness in his family, which he assigns as the
cause of his final determination, he has the
sympathy of all good citizens without regard to
party affiliations. And whatever else may be
said Of his policy and his methods IN discharg-
ing the functions of executive Of the county or
canization, 1t remain3 true that he has at least
served the man whom he has not hesitated to
call master-in his own words, Rare Old Tom
Platt'-with unstinted loyalty and self-sacri-
fclng devotion. True, he has been an agrees
sive partisan and an unnecessarily offensive fac
tiona leader. That his policy in this regard has
been fatuous and laundering. and his methods
in perpetuating the power Of his faction sinu-
Gus. corrupt and demOralizing, The Tribune has
had frequent occasion to point Out. Thereby h.
mbittered faction, promoted discord and en-
gendered constant strife. But, though the great
majority Of Republicans were bitterly opposed
TO his policy and methods, which grieved them
and put them TO shame, his methods We're in
entire accord with the views Of the master and
In pursuance of that persons fixed and indom-
table purpose. In short. Mr.. Lau;erbach has
been throughout his term Of office much more
Mr.. Platts agent than the Republican leader.
If In contradiction Of this broad and general
statement we are pointed TO the fact that on
two or three occasions during the late session OF
the Legislature he seemed to be at odds with
the master on matters Of legislation. and that
wide notOrlety was given to the divergence. we
shall have to recall the circumstance that OH
each of these occasions Mr. Lauterbach was
doing his master a service in taking the inita-
tive upon questions on which the latter had not
vet committed himself. 1t was not until the
fire OF criticism had been drawn and the master
had learned thereby the direction and weight Of
public opinion that the divergence appeared and
the difference was disclosed Then Mr. Lauter
BACH with characteristic loyalty, gracefully
yielded His 6exbi,y toward the master was
in exact proportion to his aggressiveness and
ierceness in combating his masters foes. No
master ever had so useful a man. 1t is easy TO
say that the motive of such phenomenal sub
serviency was the hope OF reward. The actual
motives which govern mems actions are usually
beyond reach but in this case 1t has to be said
that for all the reward he has ever received his
motives appear to have been pure and above re-
proach For all the service he has rendered Mr..
Plat I've has apparently received nothing The
United States SenatOrshlp for which he had a
worthy ambition Mr.. Plat took himself He
has had no official recognition or promotion, and
the professional advantages which Mr. Platt's
influence with the Legislature and the corpora
tons dependent upon that body for favors en-
abled him to dispose Of were poured into the
| lap OF his own family.
So at the end OF Mr.. Lauterbachs short but
eyentfu career as executive it may be said OF
him that though ne sowed dissension in his
party, imbittered faction and created discord. hs