New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-17
PRICE THREE CENTS.
ANGRY AT PLATT'S COURSE
SIGNIFICANT CRITICISM FROM UPSTATE
REPUBLICANS.
oUIGGs PLACE IN MR. PLATT's MACHINE DIS
TASTEFUL. TO THEM-HIs PRIMARY ELEC-
TIONs BILL APPARENTLY DOOMED
BLACKS CANDIDACY FOR
REELECTION - THE
CANAL QUESTION
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNE.l

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l
Albany. Jan. 16.-There were two reporu
from NewYork to-day which excited no enthu-
sasm among up-State Republicans. one was
that Lemuel T.. Qugg was to be reelected
chairman Of the Republican County Committee
in NewYork and the other was that Quigg had
drawn up Primary Election Reform bill which
would be presented TO the Legislature to-mor-
row night by Senator Ford. No man is held by
the upstate Republicans moro responsible than
Quigg for giving into Tammany's hands the
government of New-York, and therefore when
they heard that Mr. Platt intended to place him
again at the head OF the Republican organiza-
tion In that city there was a feeling Of indgna-
tion.
1T does seem to me-" said one State official
as he reviewed Qugg's and Patt's mismanage-
ment Of the New-York campaign and their
present proceedings. las If Mr. Flatt is deter
mined not to give the Republican party the
slightest chance to carry the State next fall
He seems to have lost his political Judgment
What is worse. he won't take any ones advice
Roscoe Conkling in his most arrogant days
would always listen TO and heed suggestions
| knew him we'll and cannot remember that
he ever declined to listen to what a friend had
to say; but Mr. Plat appears to be unwilling to
listen to any ore except those who will tell him
that he is doing everything Just right"
DIsCREDITED BY IT'S SOURCE.
AS for a primary election law framed BY
Lemuel F.. Qugg. 1t is put on the blacklist from
the day of its introduction IL the Legislature
Coming from him. however fair /, may appear
Independent Republicans will feel distrustful,
believing that II contains provisions intended to
keep in power the fraudulent Republican
ganization in New-York City. and Mr. Platts
In nd ole
in the State If it is true that the bill will not
go into effect until next December, or after the
Republican State Convention OF this year is
held the measure will not receive Governor
Blacks approval.
Mr.. Black, it is said while not kecnly ambi
tic us TO be the Republican candidate for Gov
Crnor this year would accept renOmiEatiOn IL
it rendered TO him. and would consider II
ris duty to accept the nomination even If he be-
leved defeat inevitable. There being posi-
bty of his nomination. therefore, he is said TO
be eXering himself to remove all causes OF or
fierce within the Republican party. one of the
greatest causes of loss of votes TO the party Is
the present Primary Election law. which per.
mts fraudulent primaries in New-fork and
elsewhere in the State. Quigg. the product Of
those fraudulent primaries. now has the audac-
ity himself 10 bring forward Primary Reform
bill Mr.. Black. II sincerely desrOus OF REFORM
ing the Primary Election law. cannot accept
such measure from such source.
AN OPPORTUNITY THROWN AWAY.
In the opinion OF a good many upstate Re-
pubcans an opportunity to put the Republican
party In a stronger position 10 retain control OF
the State lost when the advice Of Con-
troller Roberts in favor Of suspending the canal
contracts was rejected. One Of the principal
Democratic leaders said yesterday he feared for
two or three days that this good advice would
be taken and the Democratic party thus de-
prived Of a strong battle cry. Newspaper organs
of the new canal ring have been busily en-
gagged circulating a statement that Mr.. Rob-
erts was acting as a candidate for Governor
when he made his suggestion in favor OF sus-
pension Of the canal contracts. Mr.. Roberts Is
not a candidate for Governor. He a candi-
date at the Republican State conventions when
Levi F. Morton ana Frank :. Black were nom
mated. but he is not a candidate this year. But
while not a candidate for Governor his term as
state Controller has not yet expired and he
deems ii his duty 10 execute IT'S duties 10 me
best of his ability.
II is expected that in the present week Gov
ernor Black and the Republican leaders IN the
Legislature Will reach some decision about the
best method Of dealing with the canal question
Some members of the Legislature favor an IN
vestigatiOn by a legislative committee. Others
think a bill should be passed naming canal
commission Still others would pass bill CIV
ing the Governor authority TO name commls-
sion subject 10 the approval OF the Senate OF
all the men thus far suggested for members or
the Canal Commission not one has given assur-
ancr to persors acquainted with canal analrs
that he would make a thorough investigation
Of the canal expenditures. II an investigation Is
made By such men the public will have no trust
in It.
There are Democratic well as Republican
canal contractors and the Democratic leaders
are anxious 10 have good deal 10 say about
the membership Of tho Canal Commission. and
thus in a measure control it for offensive ana