New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-27
NEW PLAN TO DEFEAT RAINES.
THE PUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE MAY

THE KEPU BLICAN STATE COMMITTEE MAY
BE CONVENED.
VIII Senator PIatt call the Republican State
Committee together for the purpose of declaring
against the Raines law amendments? was the
question agtating machine circles in this city
last evening. The battle against the Raines
law changes on the uart Of the city organza-
ton Republicans has waxed fierce and more de-
termned. The adoption OF the Greater New
York charter by the Legislature seems to have
proved the signal for increased opposition to the
alleged attempt Of the country statesmen at
Albany TO force excise regulations upon the
cities in this part Of the State which the lead
ers here declare must end in a humating de-
feat in the party's first encounter with united
Democracy in the coming municipal election OF
the newly formed metropolis.
The Republican New-York City leaders con-
nected with the organization held yesterday AZ
ternoon conference behind closed doors at the
county headquarters, No. | Madison-ave, and
arranged a programme which they hope may re.
suit In the defeat Of the Raines amendments.
Edward Lauterbach presided. and every ASSEM-
bly, district of the city represented. Among
those present were Frederick 5. Gibbs. ex-Post-
master Cornelius Van Cott. Alexander T. Ma
SON. Ferdinand Eidman. just reappointed Col.
lector of Internal Revenue for the Hid Federal
maker John Resenweber. John P. Windoph,
George B. Deane Port Warden John II. Gunner.
John J. Collins John Steibling. f. II. Heeley.
Frederick Haldy Charles II. Murray, George Il.
Nanc hester G. w. Meade, George r. Bidwel,
Lucas L. Van Allen, Deputy State Excise Com-
missioner George Hilliard, and Frank j. Drum.
mond.
The anticipated disastrous effect OF the pro-
rosed amendments upon the future or the Re-
publican party in the territory of Greater New.
York was considered. and It unanimously
determined that they must be resisted and de.
feated ii there was a possible way Of doing II.
The knowledge that the legislative leaders at
Albany have determined 10 call a Republican
caucus. make the Ralnes amendments party
measure and drive the repugnah, scheme
through the two branches Of the Legislature un-
der the party lash aroused intense indignation.
1t also brought into play the ingenuity OF several
members or the caucus credited with being long
headed.
A PLAN ADVANCED.
plan was advanced and discussed which IL
was believed, If carried into effect. might pre-
vent the enactment Of the amendments. and
would in any event relieve members Of the Legis-
lature opposed TO the Ilaines changes from oeinS
branded as boilers from caucus rule, even II the
amendments received the caucus Endorsement
Republican state Committee and not in Iesis-
Iative caucus is vested the power TO declare what
is the partys policy.
Whatever the advocates Of the Raines scheme
may be able to do in q caucus at Albany II was
believed that they would be unable to control
majority OF the Republican State Committee
which is composed of one member for each or the
Congress districts OF the State. thirty-four in
number OF these thrty-four representatives
hx fhA
Greater New-York or contiguous counties. Be.
sides these sixteen. it believed that the men,
bers Of the committee for the Buffalo, Rochester
and Albany districts four more. would be ready
10 affiliate with the representatives of Greater
New-York, and aid them In resentng the dis
tasteful Raines propositions. This would make
twenty committeeman against the amendments,
a close majority Of the governing BODY or the
State.
Having evolved the plan. the next thing on
the programme to secure meeting OF the
state Committee. by having call issued with
out delay. and. If possible forestan the antici-
pated caucus At Albany IL was said that
Charles w. Hackett. chairman OF the state
Committee is now on his way from Thomasville.
Ga where he has been sojournins for ms health
and might be expected n reach Washington to-
morrow. II this information proved Incorrect, II
was believed that request from Senator Platt
asking Mr. Hackett 70 hasten his Homecoming
a few days and appear in Washington without
delay would be respected Mr. Hackett can is
sue a hurry call FOR meeting OF the state Com
in the Fifth Avenue Hotel, before the end OF
next week.
To START THIS EVENING.
It was therefore arranged that Mr.. Lauter-
bach should start for Washington probably THIS
evening where he will Senator Patt ana
convince him. II possible. that the condition OK
the party is desperate and that desperate RENEE
dies should he resorted 10. 1t was the opinion
of most Of the men who took part in yesterdays
conference that M Patt would be persuaueo
10 assent to the calling OF the state Cohnhttess
81 an early date and. having assembled II, would
advise action condernng the proposed Raines
legislation That his view OF the proposed
s,hc,ns ~ the conference would readily be ac-
cented hv n majority OF the state Committee was
no, Admitted Yesterday by the local leaders.
Whether Mr. Plat might not follow IN this
coso ,hs same course which he adopted as 10
tbe Lauterhach Metropolitan Police oii, when
IN, deferred 10 the Governors opinions. was q
question that was not brought up In yesterdays
nnraotlrg THE Governor. IL Is we'll known. has
yivep IN the Raines amendments the weight OF
his approval Some Republicans We're asking
las, night how far Mr.. Platt might antagonize
covernor Black II re agreed To the plan OK
eating the State Committee together TO render
mil and void the measure which the Governor
seems 10 have decided must become a part or
the excise law for the avowed purpose OF wipng
out of existence bogus clubs and fake hotelA
This Il was believed by many. would prove an
interesting question for Mr., Platt when ne meets
Mr. Lauterbach and Mr.. Hackett IN washington
tomorrow. =,