The times., 1897-09-24
G. pLA1T OF NEW YORK
Interesting Proof of His Tammany
Methods
(Fro1n Harner,s WeekIY.l ]

VI rum II pei > NGthASsj
II is known that Mr.. PIatt is sensitive
to the charge that ne and his machine
thrive on political blackmail. He has not
deuied the most serious charges, how ever,
in regard to such assertions. man whose
word stands for probity and high character
through the Unite States has said that ne
knows that this conversation tooi, place
within year in the office of one OF the
best-known corporations in New York:
Caller, to president Of the company. Il
have come from Mr.. PlatC to ask you for
contribution TO the campaign. Mr.. Platt
needs coRsl derable money just now, and
he IS sure he can count on your generosity
PRESIDENT OF company: certainly We
shall be glad 10 contribute tKetires 20
a desk, and soon returns, bringing check
for $4,000. Here is a check which We
think rs what might reasonably be eN-
pected of US. -
Caller DOCKING at the checkE Il won't
take Jhat. / want check for twice that
sum.
And in this case the messenger got it.
John Brooks Leavitt, In May OF last year.
had some correspondence with Mr.. Platt
on this subject of making corporations
pay campaign expenses and the use OF
money in influencing legislation Mr.
Leavtt asked Mr.. Platt if it was true
that he received money from corporations
50, what Mr.. Plat did with it Mr.
Platt replied that ordinarily he should
regard such a letter as .'iInPertinent, il
not insulting lie tnen offered to meet
Mr.. Leavitt and have a talk with hiIu
about it, but that meeting has never
occurred. Mr.. Leavitt closed the Incl
dent by writing to Mr.. Platt that he had
wanted 10 ask MIR. PIatt about a certain
suraHce company. Nh Leayitt said 10
him.
II the statements" (about the corrupt
| use u money! are false, Mr. Plat is a
wrougfully injured man, and should be
yindica ted. If the statements are true,
Mr.. Plat is d broker in bribery who CON
verts the proceeds 10 his own use"
Here is Conversation that is said 10
| have occurred in Nj. P1att's office within
| two yeats, and youched for by man Of
high standing in business and other circles,
| who says lie knows that it is true:
Mr.. Platt Mr. -, l sent for you to
| say that l was very much surprised at
your vote against that measure (uamIng
| weil-knowB bill in the legislature
| ASSeubleman Senator, IL was q bill
| tnat didn't commend itself 10 my best
Judgment.
| Mr.. Platt-You remember that when YOU
we're running last Id1l sent you z GHeck
| to aid in your campaign expenses. / Ger
| tainly expected to find you on the side
| OF your friends.
| AsSemblyman is true that I did
| receive check from you, and letter
| saying that YOU were taking an interest
| IN my career and that YOU took pleasure
| in sending me a contribution. / did not
| think that YOU meant it for a briDe, or
| that in accepting IL / gave a way my
| political independence. | shall return that
| money as soon .as can raise II.
Those who have apologized for and who
| have tried to defend Mr. Piatt's money
| methods in politics have made much OF
| The declaration that personally ne is honest.
| There seems tC. be no reason to doabtthisas-
sertion. No inconveuient questions as to
Where did you get it," have ever been
asked OF Mr PIattin the public prints, butt
may be asked whether 1t is the part OF
wisdom for any political leader to put
himself III d position where there may te
even the slightest suspicion, just or unjust,
as to his methods Of money expenditure
during campaigns OF during legislative ses-
| siOns.