The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-27
PLATT,s NEW .MACHINE.v
Republican Boss bringing New Men
to the Front.
New York Letter in Chicago Post.

NEW 1OIh l4CllCA III NLlCdSO IOSls
Senator Plat is credited with an intention
of constructing a new machine" He has
left out nearly all the old material in his
recent selections for positions of Importance
in the local political organization, and has
showed a good many new men to the front
in the matter of federal appointments. Sem
ator Platt has the happy faculty Of recog-
niZing ability in the early stages OF its de-
veiopment and one of the secrets of his sue
cess is due to that fact. He has taken to
singing out for his leutenants men who
have not previously secured important
standing, and when they prove themselves
to be able to conduct intricate deals for him
it is then discovered that they are very able
citizens, and that even without the help of
Platt they might have been able to force
themselves to the front. Senator Platt likes
new men, and in that way he has tied to
him several brilliant field officers who would
lay down their political lives for him and
who can be depended upon to execute his
will, no matter what it may be.
There is Congressman Quigg, for instance,
who is president of the county Republican
organization and recognized as Senator
Platt'S right hand. Lem" Quigg was an
ordinary newspaper man a few years ago.
He was an editorial writer on the Tribune
and was known by few people as man
of ability. One day commercial organiza-
ton nominated him for Congress against
Colonel William f. Brown one of the own
ers of the Evening News, of New York.
Brown was a millionaire having become so
by reason of the fortunate acquisition OF a
large block of stock in the News Company
which had belonged to man manner Morss,
New York ten or twelve years ago with
10000 or $4,000, the proceeds of paper he
had owned in Ohio. He had the 5000 l is,S
Morss stock, which, for some unaccount-
able reason, was offered for sale at about
10 per cent Of It's value c,, The minute ne
longed, and Brown found himself suddenly
worth about $500 600. Fortunate investments
in other lines doubled his fortune in two or
three years, and after while he concluded
he wanted to go to Congress. Tammany
gave him a nomination in a 'sure-thing
district and he began to spend money like
sure. That was the kind of game that
Quigg found himself against. Nobody
broke into the district like a cyclone and
made the most wonderful campaign in the
recent history of New York politics. He
developed into a remarkable campaign
stump speaker and swept the district: Col.
Brown lost $4,000 in election bets. Qugg
was reelected a year ago, and is now next
to Senator Plat, at the head OF the New
York Republican machine.
William M. x. Olcott, who was sslected IN
advance by Senator Piatt TOT the nonor
of q mayoralty nomination at the hands or
the convention, which meets the 18th, is also
a new man. He is a bright lawyer, and as
events have shown; q man likely TO 3 make os
himself heard and felt, even in the race or
adverse conditions. But as II mas trans
pired, he has encountered no hostile condi-
lions since he entered politics three OF louF r
years ago. and as a member OF the BOARD OF
Aldermen was selected by Jeroloman, pres
ident of the City Council as chairman OF
the finance committee, and by reason or
that nosition ex-oficio member OF the sink
ing fund. In an incredibly short time ne was
leader of the Republican side in the Board
of Aldermen, and when Col. John r. rel
lows. United States district attorney, died
last winter he was appointed to MI the va
cancy, his Endorsements comprising the
names of practically all his colleagues In the
CITY Council large number of the leading
members of the bar and substantially an
the leaders Of the machine, headed py
Senator Plat. AS a politician ne Is ulstihc-
lively machine" man, having elected 70
cast his fortunes with the gang For Lnal
reason the conservative Republicans IN view
York mistrust him almost as much as tlisy
would rnistrrst a Tammany nominee. Being
q machine" man, however, ne was e1pectt-
ed to stand ready to withdraw AT fldtI
dictaton in favor OF ,r'd HE
to the entire anti-Tammany elements Ol-
colt did not like the position IN Whlch ne
found himself, but he stood up 10 the rack.
Ridwe1l collector Of the port is another
one OF Platt's recent discoveries. Ten years
ago he was a broken bicycle manulacturer.
He landed on his feet, however, quickly,
and ere long formed partnership with
''Al' Spalding, of Chicago and New YORK,
association with whom IS regarded by the
superstitious as inevitable good luck. II IS
common belief that If any one can get IN
with Spalding nothing can stop him. BID
well made money in business after ne alhed
himself with the Chicago mascot, and three
or four years ago broke into politics mere
for the amusement there was in 1t. Showing
qualities or SeneTdlSnlp III pOllllSdi AAie'HAP7
ulation he was picked out by the ever
watchful Plat as one of his lieutenants-
AS a reward for his services during the
campaign last year he was made collector
of the port one of the most lucrative ofilces
in New York in the gift of the President
Wilbur +. Wakeman, a Chicago product;
and a new man here. has been engrafted
on the official pay rolls. Wakeman owes his
elevation to the kind offices of Cornelius n.
Bliss secretary of the interior. Wakeman
had fought Platt for years, but the senator
consented 70 his appointment with the un-
derstandins that the Ratchet should be
buried. In due course of time II may be eX-
pected that Wakeman will appear as not
friend of the easy boss, although just at
this particular juncture he is suspected or
having a soft side for Seth Low IL he has
he is keeping his preference dark
Right down through the organization this
same kindly feeling toward new men Is
noticed and the recent advancement OF this
kind of material into places of trust Is too
marked TO allow any other construction
than that Senator Platt is shelving the old
war horses and putting In their places
younger and more vigorous constituents
who will feel that they owe undivided al
legiance to him.
Difficult Undertaking.