New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-15
LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWING.

In estimating Mr.. Platts unftness for politi-
cal leadership as illustrated by his jamming
through of the consolidation scheme 1t makes
little difference whether that performance be
attributed TO native stupidity or to bargain
with Tammany Hall In either case he made
q contemplate use Of the authority which
he had acquired and furnished Republicans
throughout the State with an imperative reason
for turning him out Of power. Doubtless there
are some loyal members Of the party who.
while acknowledging that It was an awful blum
der 10 coerce Republican Legislature into TAX
ing action which affronted public opinion every
where and thus to identify the party with that
measure Of insolent oppression, are not yet pre-
pared to believe that Mr. Plat was guilty Of
deliberate treachery in passing the consolidation
bill. We agree that 1t is not necessary to In
sist that he was, In order TO prove the fact Of
his gross offence against the party Of which he
authorizes his man TO proclaim him "the Mas
ter" But there are some incidents connected
with that transaction which It Is proper to re-
call from time to time as part Of the evidence
In the case.
During the legislative session OF 1895 Tam
many Hall was formally enlisted against the
consolidation scheme. Its opposition was a
always paraded, and Invariably violated when
it had anything to gain by rank Inconsistency.
The organization was uniformly represented
that winter at Albany and everywhere else as
utterly hostile TO the selfish policy and brutal
methods Of the Republican machine, and there
were some innocent persons who thought that
The Tribune did injustice TO Tammany's sin
cere and hlgh-minded conduct. But as time
went on Republican antagonism to the scheme
developed, and II began to be evident that the
bill could not be passed by Republican votes
alone without great difficulty. II at all. Did the
official opposition Of Tammany cease or make
less noise? No indeed. But at every critical
stage there We're Tammany votes for the bill
Not many--only few-in fact just enough
On its first passage It had a clear Republican
majority In the Senate. Two weeks later thir
ty-slx Republican Assembymen voted agains
II, but Tammany members came to the rescue
About the middle Of April, after II had beer
vetoed by the Mayors, It was taken up agar
In the Senate. but It's four original Republican
opponents had grown to eleven and Tammany
had TO furnish the necessary votes 70 pass II owe
the vetoes. On April % there was another short
age OF Republican votes IN the Assembly, ant
Tammany once more supplied the deficiency
II was succession OF curious condolences and
like the benevolent man who had received tire,
bad checks from q casual acquaintance, a aooC
many persons began to suspect something
though, Of course, the candid explanation whcl
proceeded direct from Tammany Hall was tina
few bad men who would have 10 he dis
cipllned had disobeyed orders.
The bill was passed a second time and sent Il
Governor Morton, and on May ~ he made II
law. On the same day, the danger and the con
seQuent advantage Of eoncealment having bcel
removed. John G. Sheehan, who. whatever hi
present situation may be, knew at that time wha
he was talking about. delivered himself Of thes
interesting and instructive remarks: The loca
Organization Of the Democratic party has moth