New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-18
BLACKS BOLDEST EFFORT.
PLATT ECLIPSED AS A PROvIDER OF
PATRONAGE.


THE GOVERNOR GOES FAR BEYOND HIS
RIVAL IN OPPOSING CIVIL. SERVICE
REFoRM-PRocREss OF THE
CONTEST FOR PARTY
CONTROL
Albany, May 16.-The last week has been
marked by series OF political events interest
ing in themselves. but particularly significant
as illustrating the argument set forth In these
columns several weeks ago, that our ambitious
young Governor had set out 10 wrest the con-
troll Of the Republican State machine from Sena-
tor Platt and was making remarkable progress
in his crusade for absolute leadership.
Attention. 1t will be remembered, called
to the audacious manner in which he had at
tached to himself the most powerful lieutenants
of his veteran rival-Aldrdge, by reappont-
ment as Superintendent of Public Works. not
withstandng the opposition Of the Civil Service
people: WORTH by making him Clerk of Kings
County. worth S40O q year. and Payn, by be-
slowing upon him the Insurance Department in
the face Of a universal protest against 1t. His
absolute control Of the Legislature was likewise
pointed out. Subsequent history has confirmed
the predictions made at that time. Every bill
that he desired to have passed became law.
while all those Objectionable to him went down
in defeat. regardless Of Senator Platt's efforts
to them. According TO Mr.. Lauterbach.
Senator Plat with him in his opposition to
the Raines amendments. but capitulated, be-
cause 1.-The Governor wanted them" The Sena-
tor was certainly in favor of the outrageous
Police bill, for did he not send Messrs Qugg'
Gibbs and Lauterbach here to tell the Governor
so? Nevertheless, it was thrown out Of court
in utter contempt of his wishes.
Above all, Mr.. Platt wanted the Anti-Cartoon
bill placed upon the statute book. 1t was the
only strictly personal measure that he sought
TO have passed by the Legislature. There were
special reasons why he wanted It, among
others he had promised Croker, before the
Tammany chieftain sailed for Europe. that II
should become a law. All the power ne couid
command was exercised in IFS behalf ELLSWORTH
his plant tool, forced it through the Senate as
a party measure. and Speaker OGrady violated
all Parliamentary precedents in trying to jam
II through the Assembly, but Black. with charac-
teristc disregard of form. said it was fool legis-
lation, and it was mercilessly slaughtered In the
Assembly. to Platts rage and mortlhcation.
To be sure other influences than the Executive
Chamber contributed TO its defeat; but the
Governor could have saved 1t.
OF course Mr.. Plat cannot afford to- show
any resentment. He is too experienced to in
dulge in any public criticism of the man whom
he desires TO have still considered in Washing
ton and elsewhere as his Governor Some of his
leutenants, however, were less discreet-Lauter-
bach. for example. That impulsive, voube
statesman promptly declared war. He insisted
upon having his bills passed. and to overcome
Blacks opposition proposed to call meeting
of the State Committee for coercive purposes.
His proposition was smothered, and then the
Governor decided to smother him, too. He did
It, too. Lauterbach shut out completely
here Though chairman Of the NewYork Coun-
ty Committee and the trusted friend and repre-
sentative of the Boss. he was really without in
huence in the Legislature. His bills were
beaten. his counsel disregarded his opposition
laughed at, and the men for whom he had op-
tanned employment in the Capitol were dis
charged. Even his clients found him practically
useless to them. and as he bitterly confessed
took their Albany business over TO the law firm
with which Senator Platt's son is connected.
In other words. the Governor, following set
tied policy. set out TO crush him because OF his
attachment to Platt and his temerity in oppos-
ing the Executive will. That purpose has now
been fully accomplished in Mr. Lauterbachs
absolute retirement from New York County poll
tics The Senator Is silent STILL but he Is not
deceived in the least. not even when his OLD
ally Payn talks against Lauterbachs ampl-
tious efforts to capture the local machine anu
become United States Senator He understands
things perfectly. He knows that, while the Gov
ernors warfare was ostensibly directed against
Lauterbach, it was and is in reality aimed at
him, just as every other hostlle actioh mas peeh
since January l, 1891
ca in regard TO the investigation Of the Capt.
toll scandal, which strikes at another pet of the
Boss young William Barnes, Of this city, VINO
has been trying to keep Albany County in line
with the Platt machine for several years. When
the charges were made Barnes ran to Platt
for protection. The power of the machine was
promptly exerted in his behalf desperate at
tenont was made TO give quietus to the resou
,ion Of INQUIRY which Senator Pavey persisted
in Offering regardless of the fearful pleadinss
NJ the Barnes crowd When Plat had become
,boroughlv identified with the wretched affair
the Governor expressed regret over Eastons
annointuent and ordered the discharge or about
half the force employed on the Capitol, thereby
showing how he felt on the subject Later on
when the Plat Senators shirked the response
bility Of making the investigation ana lorceo
II upon him. he adroitly managed to place the
onus Of IT on young "Tim" Woodruff Platts
Lieutenant Governor.
Blacks feelings toward this statesman are
similar TO those which he entertained for Lauter-
bach and so he has given him the Capitol IN
yestigation as a contribution TO the canvass Tor
Mayor Of Greater NewYork. which the Gov
errors right-hand man, Louis f. Payn, pois-
terously insists upon Woodruff making. III such
an investigation is made as the citizens or Al
bany demand, he will bring down upon MIN the
wrath of the Plat machine II he tries 10 whi'e-
wash Easton popular condemnation must IN
cvitably follow. and popular condemnation IN