The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-11
The Cry OF "Bossism."

SETH Low says he Is running against
"bossism." HENRY GEORGE says he Is
running against "bossism." But what
"bossism" are they running against9
There is also a great noise made about
"Plattism." But what is "Plattism"T In
what way has any man of those who are
taking up the cry been injured by 1t, and
how and when has he encountered 1t un-
pleasantly, except he be an enemy of the
Republican partya
"Bossism" is political leadership, a nee
essary corollary of political organization.
If "bossism" is intrinsically an evil, so also
is political organization, so also Is a party,
for it's existence implies the others.
In the early days of the Republican party
in this State, THuRLow WEED was the
"boss, and the methods pursued by him were
substantially what is now called "Platt-
ISM" TILDEN, as the "boss" of the Demo-
cratic party, followed a system closely akin
to that of Mr.. PLATT. 1t is the American
way. "Bossism" in England, for instance,
may differ in particulars due to a different
social and political system, but essentially
it is the same thing, and it is even more
d~espotic than here. There never was a
more absolute political "boss" than Mr..
GLADSTONE. If a member of the Liberal
party did not support him in Parliament
he was put, out of it's ranks, and his re-
election by the party was impossible.
Tho concentration Of party strength
necessitates organization, and organization
necessitates the "boss." Otherwise you
would have anarchy in the party, and it's
force would be dissipated.
The cutlery against "Plattism" Is reason.
able in the opponents of the Republican
party, for their game is to weaken and dis.
integrate it. That is their business. Obvi-
ously, the ADLER and more effective a Re-
publican leader Mr.. PLATT is, the more it
is to their interest to pull him down.
Conversely, it would seem to be rea-
sonablc to suppose that the moro the
opposition want to down PLATr," the
more determined sensible Republicans
would be to keep him up. The Southern
praise of MCCLELLAN during the war was
of a sinister suggestion. If the enemies of
the Republican party extolled Mr.. PLAT
instead of abusing him, the time for down
ing" him might we'll be regarded by wise
Republicans as having been reached.
Who, by the way, are bigger bosses"
Ulhn SETH Lo" hllu LlENHl bhOtGE
They are top, bottom, and sides of their re.
s~pective parties. Each Of them declares
that he is going to have his own way with.
out reference to anybody else. They are the
leaders and their followers must obey them
unquestioningly. They make political
deals on their own motion solely.
Inside the Republican party there is some
natural and reasonable resentment against
the leadership of Mr.. PLAT, but it comes
wholly from a few individuals who aspire
to the leadership themselves, or have not
been able to crafty their political ambi
lions under his leadership. But what has
the Republican party as a whole suffered
from Mr.. PLATT2
DID Mr. PLATr help or hurt the party
last yeari Was there ever a time in the
history of the Republican party when il
was more successful in this State than dur
ing recent years2
This year, too, Republicans are now
waking up to the consciousness of his wise
leadership, even II they had listened tc
the bowls against him of their natura.
and bitterest enemies, the Mugwumps
SETH Lows relations with the George
crowd are beginning to become apparent tc
everybody. and the judgment of Mr.. PLAT
in distressing the impudent and insulting
Citizens Union is indicated. The Repub
lican party has been saved from a trap.
The alarm provoked by the threatening
candidacy of HENRY GEORGE, extending
through the whole business community
has been aggravated by the recent exposure