The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-23
PLATT'S "BOSSISM. "
1t Is Simply Horse Sense Applied to
Political Affairs in "a Great City.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
One does not need much time mixing
with people here to find that there is an
immense amount of foolishneSs in all the
talk about the "bossism of Tom Platt."
never met him, but it is easy to under
stand political conditions here. The real
leaders of the Seth Low movement for
mayor are a lot of rhetorical, plausible
theorists, who evolve reform movements
from inner consciousness, sitting in their
offices and professional chairs, and have
little idea of affairs by actual contact. AS
further characterizing Carl Schurz, one of
the chiefs, it need only be added that he
went over Niagara when his ambition was
blasted in contact with some practical
sense some years ago. Mr.. Low himself is
an excellent gentleman, but was the easy
victim of evil reports in Blaine's cam
paign, defeating the latter by the vote of
Brooklyn, and. of course. naturally and
rightly enough, arrayed against himself the
practical hard sense of the self-respecting
Republicans. No odds how good man he
is, that is reasonably held against him, for
it was worse than a blunder, and such
things are not easily forgiven.
But as to the bosSiSm OF Platt: This city
is confronted by a tremendous force of
greed, as well organized as when Tweed
a sentiment; ii is a continuation to con-
tinue footing. Among others, Mr.. Platt
seems to realize this condition. SagaciouS
above many others, he sees that such com
bination must be met by organization. He
goes at it out in the street, and not in the
offices and professional halls. In this huge
city there are a great many people, and
only few speak Greek and read classics.
The sky is very beautiful, but the earth
has to be touched. The chief feature of
Mr.. Platts bosssm lies in his having
horse sense to see this, and additional
horse sense to proceed to organize on
seeing all these things moving out on
these lines in advance of most others in or
ganization, he is called boss. There can
be no foeman for Tamnany on any other
lines. That organization would go on loot
ing without much hindrance but for such
opposing force. eiff
What this city election is going to result
in is hard to see yet If the excellent peo-
the Low movement shall continue to lure
the hosts of sentiment with star dust to
the end, it may so divide those who desire
the same end as to enable the great com
treasury General Tracy is making strong
campaign and in every Assembly district
is talking strong cornnIQgll sense to the peo-
pie who live on the earth, and have prac
teal apprehension of affairs and know the
crowd they are opposing. AT present it is
the looting combine in closed ranks
against a divided host struggling for the
same thing, but fighting among themselves
like gorillas. Only the horse sense of Tom
Platt prejudiced and abused by the fond
epithet, bossiSm, can lead to the defeat
of the combine" The fine gentlemen OF
sentiment will go on paying greater taxes
in Greater New York If they elect Tam
many. The pity is that some of the loud
est leaders have no taxes to pay. They
don't live on the earth.
New York Oct q