New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-12
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BLACK, NOT PLATT, THE BOSS
THE GOVERNOR QUIETLY sUPPLANT1No
HIS RIVAL AT EVERY M
PORTANT POINT


REVIEW OF HIS METHODS AND THE
EXISTING sTTUArIoS-I.AUTER-
BAcHs SORRY PLIGHT
Albany. April 11.-As an experiment IN poii.
tics Frank s. Black becomes daily more interest.
ing. The algebrac X Of the last Republican
State Convention. he is gradually assuming. a.
a political force. such defniteness OF outline
and fixity of value to arrest general attention
and inspire endless speculation about his future
public career. The processes Of his evolution
are unusual. They are not according to prece-
dent. They violate preconceved notions. The
conventional lines set down by the Spencers and
Darwins OF statecraft have been disregarded.
and the accepted precepts that supposed to
govern successful official action have frequently
been set at naught In manner TO fill the purest
breast with despair. His methods OF procedure
almost battle the ordinary forms OF analysis 50
that even critics who study him at short range
hesitate to announce their final verdict. They
record impressions rather than state their opin-
IONS so perpexing is his conduct In most in
stances and so difficult is it to predict with any
assurance regarding him.
Prophecy in his has seemingly come to
naught. The contraretes of his career ap-
parently past finding out. The daring. uncom-
promising prosecutor OF the Democratic ballot
INDUCED in not one word Of denunciation Of the
shameful frauds perpetrated by the Republican
machine in New-York Hailed as reformer by
the State convention he distanced his rivals for
gubernatorial honors solely by the skilfu pilot.
age of his guiding genius, Louis F. Payn. The
very incarnation OF machine politics. With Payu
one arm and the star-eyed goddess on the
other he entered upon and closed his campaign
for the States highest honor. He has never de-
serted either In him both In some mysterious
way seem to find common ground. His dual nat
ure is the explanation He presents a strange
combination of the patriot and politician. With
his New-England Puritanism comes a strain Of
the rugged, stalwart. political Pagan that finds
attraction In such a man Payn, who. with all
his sins and shortcomings is one Of the ablest
Of practical politicians and the most domneer-
ing character in the Republican State organiza-
tion
His speech as presiding officer of the conven-
ton was severely criticised. The criticism
deserved. 1t was violently partisan, and in part,
almost as much out OF line with progressive
politics as his subsequent shallow filings at Civil
Service reform But he made up for II all in his
campaign addresses, every one Of which was
the high plane Of sound doctrine and surcharged
with fervent patriotism. None Of the great is
sues Of the hour escaped him. His grasp be-
trayed strength and comprehension. There was
little of the commonplace in what he said. His
thoughts were we'll phrased.
The resultant enthusiasm Of his campaigning
led some people to indulge In extravagant ex-
pectation Such a man. 1t was said, would never
abide by the rules of any political machine But
Black did. He not only tolerated the machine.
but he went further in its service than perhaps
any other machine man would have gone under
oia1i 1icafi fiOr inc rrsd In
his Interest was discharged with absolute fidelity.
though TO do it REQUIRED no ordinary display OF
nerve and resolution. George W. Aldridge was
charged with high crimes and misdemeanors by
,he Civil Service people, but he had Withdrawn
in Blacks favor at Saratoga, and his name was
sent in for reappointment Commissioner OF
Public Works quickly as the state Senate
came together. Jacob Worth has been held up
for years as one OF the most dscredted politi-
clans in Kings County. but the Governor stood
by him faithfully, as Payn, months before.
promised that he would Payn himself was the
severest test of ALL The alleged exposures OF his
acts and attacks upon him were enough TO
frighten any executive officer, but Black never
hesitated for an instant Payn offered TO release
him from all obligations, but he grimly declined
the offer insisting upon discharging every osot
that he had Incurred or that had been contracted
was permitted to go to protest or lie unredeemsd
Even the politicians were amazed at his course
They were at a loss for while TO understao0
him To machine that had been built up large
IL on broken promises and cowaidly evasons
such display OF fidelity was indeed a novel ex-
nerience Naturally it led to certain unpleasant
comparisons. Worth for example with his S4o.
600 County Cerkship, could rot help But recan
the way in which Platt had deceived him on the
Rrooklyn Charities bill and in other features OK
Brooklyn politics since Mayor Wursters elec-
,ion Aldridge with renewed lease Of power
from Black was inevitably led TO think moro
bitterly than ever Of the man who. notwithstand-
ing his years Of faithful service had deliberately
prevented his nomination for Governor after
Aldridge had the office almost In his own hands
And even Payn. with all his lifelong associations.
was compelled TO admit that Black had done for
him that which Platt would never have dared to
do and that he had secured more substantial
recognition from his new ally OF twenty months
than had come to him ir fighting Platts battles
for twenty years.
To superficial observers Blacks course seemed
suicidal But to the few that looked into matters
more carefully definite. logical purpose began
10 disclose itself in the Governors treatment OF
the machine He needed it, and 10 get II away
from Platt he must first attach its most shilful
and influential managers TO himself. Having done
that and put them in positions of the greatest
power and usefulness. his next move was to
crush those who were so completely identified
with Platt as 10 render their detachment from
the Senator practically impossible.
The case OF Lauterbach illustrates this remark
He. II will be remembered, was made chairman
OF the local machine two years ago because Platt
felt that ne could depend upon him TO 90 the
dirty work necessary to enable the machine 10
maintain supremacy here during the Presidential
wear Lauterbach had no more to do with Ms
own election than the man In the moon lie
has no strength apart from that impaired to
hin, bv the Foss and never would have were
-, ., ramain in his present place hundred