New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-25
HERE'S YOUR LEADER.

or all who participate in tO-day's observances
by rendering thanks for the good gifts OF Provi-
dence probably no class OF citizens recognize
the occasion morn clearly as one calling ior
profound gratitude than the Tammany Democ-
racy. who after three years OF priva'ion ana
famine are now about returning TO what lhe!
fondly and confidently call their own. There
anpears TO be a difference Of opinion, however
upon the question to what precise human IN
strumentality under Providence their gratitude
Is specially due. That eminent Democratic au-
thority of the Borough of Brooklyn. Mr.. hugh
MCLAUGHLIN, IS reported as giving the credit
for the recent victory to the retired statesman,
OK Senator David r. Hill. 1.-The New-Iork
World" which is Democratic part OF the time,
indorses this view, and adds thereto that MT
Hill Is undoubtedly the coming leader and not
unlikely the next candidate Of the party Tor
President On the other hand, that Sui more
eminent Democratic authority OF Iammany
Hall Mr. Richard Croker. prefacng his opinion
with the remark that Mr.. Mclaughlin Is "one
of the ablest leaders in the State and "A hne
old gentleman" takes issue with him on the
question Of leadership. and says he recognizes
senator Murphy whom he describes as level
headed man. as the State leader. linen there
are others who ascribe the glory OF the great
victory to Mr. Croker himself, and some who
say that Hugh Grant did 1t.
This Is all very confusing The one obvious
feature Of the situation is that the Tammany
Democracy, finding very large plum IN thelr
lap are not quite clear as to who picked It. They
are trying to settle that question In order, first,
TO render their benefactor suitable thanks. and.
second, to make him the party leader. Who
ever won the victory, they believe. Is entitled
TO be considered the party leader And there Is
certain plausibillty in the proposition If 1t
shall be found. upon examination OF all the
facts that the victory was due to any Demo
crat-whether It was David b. Hill, who kept
still as a mouse: or Edward Murphy, who
was as still as two mice; or Richard Croker,
who did more talking than both OF them and
more than he himself ever did before; or Hugh
Grant who managed the campaign details
that Democrat is certainly entitled, by virtue or
the ability he displayed and the great service
he rendered the party, TO be Installed In the
pos!tlon Of State leader and so recognized by
the party.
In this search for the hero Of the great Tam
many triumph The Tribune has no wish TO IN
trude And yet It does venture, In the interest
of historical accuracy as well as OF political and
poetic justice, to make one suggestion. That
is that the search being In the wrong dlrec-
ton and wrong quarter, must prove futile.
No Democrat wrought this victory. Neither
Hill, nor Murphy, nor Croker, nor Grant, nor
any other Democrat is entitled TO the credt-if
credit 1t be-of electng Democratic Judge OF
the Court Of Appeals and turning over to Tam
many the rich pickings Of Greater New-York
for the next four years The man to whom they
owe their profoundest gratitude and thanks Is
he who damned through" the Legislature the
charter which put into one snug parcel the pick
ings and stealings Of all these boroughs and
then simply flung 1t at them. They didn't need
New-York, with its abundant patronage and
plumber for the next four years, was almost
forced upon them. Who did 1t? Why, Senator
Thomas c. Plat, Of course. The Tammany
Democracy need not 60 about inquirng what
Democrat brought them this generous gift, what
Democrat picked the plum. Mr.. Plat picked
It and threw 1t into the Tammany lap. Do they
want to honor their benefactor by making him
their leader? There he Is! Thomas G. Platt
Let them take him. The Republicans are
through with him, and will cheerfully give him
up. Yes; more than cheerfuly For II his
leadership Of the Democratic party is as sue
cessful as his leadership OF the Republican has
BEEN the latter may look for a speedy return
| to power.