The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-04
HITS AT ROOSEVELT.
DIR. Parkhurst's Characteristic De-
scription of Political Conditions
in New York.

New York, Nov. 4-The Rev. DR..
Charles H. Parkhurst has issued a let
ter to the public. 1t is a bitter attack
upon Tammany Hall in his WOnted vein,
but a still more virulent attack upon
Platt and the Republican machine, in
terspersed with several hard uppercuts
at Colonel Roosevelt.
In the course of his letter DR.. Park
hurst says a reporter for local paper
invited him to make another visit to the
dives similar to the one which gained
so much nOtOriety for DR.. Parkhurst
several years ago, but he refused. DR..
Parkhurst said such trip was unnec-
essary because every one knew what
the city was under Tammany.
DIR. Parkhurst in his letter says:
1.-The papers during the last ten days
have been rather cOpiOusly and emphat-
icalIy informing US that this city is be-
coming debauched under the admins
tration of Croker, Van Wyck and
DeVery. There is an almost amusing
seriOu ness in the way in which Mr..
uncOvering the gambling, guzZling, and
lechery that are thriving under the
stimulating influence of a. Tammany
government. And there is a, surprising
amount of surprise in the reception
which the reading public has given to
these succulent revelations. One Won
ders sometimes whether the public ever
really does any considerable amount of
serious thinking, and whether, when it
has once learned a thing, it ever fastens
that lesson in memory with any kind of
sincere tenacity.
Did the city suppose that when that
disgraced conspiracy of freeboOters
was Outlawed in 1894 it went into
monastery and washed white and sweet
it's filth laden soul with deluge of pen
itential tears, and that when it came
back from its mOnasttc retirement in
1897 it was with the intent to make of
the town a new Jerusalem?
''Tammany came back into power not
simply because Croker wanted her
back, but because Platt, in the use of
all the resources at his command, CO.
operated with Croker to bring her back.
THAT is the kind of man Flatt is.
can not forget the damnabfe game he
played in 1897, and I do not mean that
anybody else shall.
Now, all the foregoing sets in clear
light the awkward position in which
some of US are put that are the personal
admirers of Theodore Roosevelt Few
men have had the magnificent Oppor-
tunity that was in the easy reach of
Mr. Roosevelt six weeks ago. The best
citizenship of this state was crying out
in unanimous demand for his candidacy.
The natural nobility of the man was
understood and appreciated through the
commonwealth. He was in a position
to lift himself up unhampered and I'M
hindered by anything that was petty or
partisan.
1T was painful to reflect upon the
magnifcence of the opportunity which
he allowed to go unutiIzed. The way
was open for dealing boss politics and
Tom Platt a blow between the eyes
such as may not recur in a score of
years. But our magnificent friend lack
ed crisis virtue For reasons that are
inscrutable, blinded by considerations
that are not quite easy to imagine he
turned his back on the superb oppor-
tunity, went to see the old man. and
in that way and to that degree made
public confession of Platt's righteous
authority"
DR.. Parkhurst says he will not say
whether or not he will vote for Roose-
welt, but declares he was cruel to his
truest friends and lost an opportunity
to stand for a righteous cause.
OF the condition in the city under
Tammany DR.. Parkhurst says: Il re-
gard the situation with kind of grim
thing in it especially congeniaI, but be
cause punishment is good for the SOUL