New-York tribune., 1897-01-04
PLATT MAY DECLINE IT.
SOME DOUBT AS TO HIS DESIRE TO BE A
SENATOR
NEVER LIKED OFFICIAL LIFE AT WASHINGTON
Mr.. COTvIN's DINNER-TAMMANY VOTES

NEVER LIKED OFFICIAL LIFE AT WASHINGTON
Mr.. CoLvIN's DINNER-TAMMANY VOTES
FOR BOSS MLAUGHLIN.
fFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Albany Jan. 3-One OF the most important
duties which the Legislature will have to per-
form early in its session will be that Of elect
ing a United States Senator to succeed David b.
Hill, whose term expires on March A. Some time
in the course of the week beginning January
49, according to the laws Of the United States.
the Senator must be elected. There are thirty
six Republicans and fourteen Democrats who
are members OF the State Senate, and 10 Re-
publicans and thirty-fve Democrats who are
members of the Assembly Upon Joint ballot.
therefore. the Republican vote is 15l. and the
Democratic vote only 40 The Republican
majority. therefore. is the extraordinary num-
her of 1O2 Not even a man Of feeble wits could
doubt that the Republican party will elect the
Senator
Only two Republicans have thus far been con-
sidered by the Republican members of the Leg
islature for Senator. and they are Joseph II.
Choate and Thomas c. Platt. 1t was clear also
from what the Senators and Assembymen said
who were here attending Governor Blacks IN
auguration ceremonies that Mr.. Platt at pres
ent has the larger number Of supporters ana
will be elected Senator unless he declines the
office. The canvass which THE Albany Even
ing Journal" has been making shows that ~
Republican members OF the Legislature have
already declared that they favor his election
and 16 votes in the Republican caucus is all that
he needs to insure his election
But will Mr.. Platt, after marshaling his politi-
cal forces and indicating that he can have the
office OF Senator, take that position? There are
some Republican politicians who doubt II, ana
who say they suspect that just before the
caucus of the Republican members OF the Leg
islaturc is held on January 13 he will declare
that he does L., desire the office, and Will use MS
influence to confer it upon some one else En-
inent Republican politicians say that they be-
lieye MIR Platt intends to go to the Senate. and
vet they cannot help recalling from time to time
his declarations to them that he never liked
Washington life as Congressman or Senator, that
his home life in New-York is very pleasant, ana
that his business interests in New-York need
constant attention. Under these circumstances
they say. they should not be surprised IL MT.
Plat should spring some new man FOR senator
on the LEGISLATURE before the Republican caucus
is held. They will therefore watch MI flatt
nolitical movements with keen interest the ap-
preaching week -
Addison b. Colvin the president Of the Repub-
lican League, has made arrangements ior the
holding OF a big Republican banquet al Hai
manus Beecker Hall in honor of whoever IS
elected United States Senator. This banque,
will be partaken of just one week later than the
day on which the United States Senator is elect
ed Vice President elect Hobart Will be one or the
chief guests. There will be seats for ooD per
sons at the banquet. which are now on sale al
S5 each The dinner will begin at $50 p. m,
and IL Is hoped that 1t will be completed by $50
n m Then the galleries Of Harnanus Bleecker
Hall will be thrown open, and persons VINO de-
sire to listen to the speeches Will be ADMITTED.
The seats in the gallery will be 81 %.
The Democratic Senators and Assembynien
apparently may discard David Il. Hill and vote
for Hugh Mclaughlin for United States Senator
II he will permit. The Tammany Hall Senator's
saw they intend TO vote for Mclaughlin unless
he declines 10 accept their vote. 1t IS probable
that this complimentary vote for Mclaughlin
has some relation to the desire Of the Tam
many Hall leaders to establish harmonious reia-
tions with the Democrats in that portion or
Greater New.York which is situated on the
east side Of the East River The Greater Tam
many will be found wrapped up in the laurel
branch extended to Mclaughlin.
The followers Of Henry d. Purroy, OF New
York in the Legislature. Senator Guy intimates.
may have a Democrat of their own as a candi-
date for Senator. What they desire is a rabid
silver Democrat. Some Bryan Democrat, there
FORE may be selected.