New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-17

the sins Of 1897 goes, Mr. Plat Is mooei "
contrtion and repentance. He mas nameo III
excellent county tcket, which might 10 eA'
pected TO soften the heart or every relormer' so
that he would vote for Mr.. Platts Assembly
candidates And yet IL he does not register ne
cannot vote. and all the gratitude IN the worlo
for the compliment of a county ticket VIII not
take the place of ballots for Assemblymen IN
rewarding Mr. Plat for his virtue. There
seems to be something more required 10 secure
those ballots than profession Of reform, coin
cideat with need for the votes of reformers
Perhaps some proof Of honesty Is what Is
wanted
Mr.. Plat might prontably consult Mr.. Mazet
about that Mr. Mazet has been at work for
several months on Investigations which make
him an expert on that subject He found out
TINT Mr. Croker was running the city govern
mcnt for his own pecuniary advantage, and
d,d not hesitate to avow that he profted from
business which fourlshed by favor Of his Tam
many subordnates in the city government. But
all Of n sudden Mr. Mazct stumbled on Repub-
lican partnership in some OF these schemes 10
use Government power for private purposes.
He found General Tracy, Mr. Lauterbach, Mr..
butcher and others getting Tammany to pull
their chestnuts out of the fire, an occupation
which Tammany does not indulge in for moth
ing He found that the stock in trade Of these
friends and servants OF Mr. Platt in their Tam
many trading was given them By Mr. Platts
Legislature in the form Of charters and fran
chises with extraordinary concessions. lie
found that the only way he could save his IN
vestigation from discredit was 10 probe these
Republican scandals of the city government rs
impartially as the purely Tammany scandals.
He wanted TO do SO, for he wanted to commend
plans for remedial legislation to the favor Of
honest men. and he knew that nobody would
have the slightest respect for findings based on
confcssedy partisan investigation which probcd
Tammany rascalty and was called off, the
instant 1t compromised Republicans. Neverthe-
less. the committee was called off" General
Tracy is home. but has not testified Mr.. Croker
continues to taunt Mr.. Platt with not daring 10
confess his share in bad government, but Mr.
Platt does not take the stand And the regis
tration is the smallest in years.
Cannot Mr. Plat read the meaning Of that?
His honesty is lmpcachcd before his own COM
mittee by testimony developed In the pursuit
of his enemies, yet he does not defend him
self How can he expect the support Of con
scentous voters under such circumstances?
What are professions and concessions in the
face Of IN Indictment found in court Of his
own friends to which he avoids pleading? Let
him meet the accusation and show that he is
wronged by this evidence which seems TO in
volve him When Mr.. Croker first challenged
the committee TO call Mr.. Plat The Tribune
said that there was no reason for calling him,
because he was not under investigation, and
that nothing connected him with It. Since then,
ho
nected him with 1t. and has brought scandals to
his very door 1t was perfectly obvious and
fair 10 say then in the interest of the Republi-
can party as we I'D. that there was no occasion
for calling Mr. Plat. and that Mr.. Croker was
irving 10 raise false issue. But now that the
matter is brought closely home to Mr. Plat we
are bound TO say that it Is the imperative duty
Of the committee TO call him and probe the
matter thoroughly 10 the bottom II II would
convince the people that It's object is to expose
rascality wherever It exists and not merely 10
work up campaign material against Tammany.
Let Mr.. Plat take the stand. then. and rob
Mr.. Croker of that one weapon. why don't
you call Platt?" which protects him from all
danger from Mazet revelations, however clearly
they may show Tammany frauds What Is
wanted from Mr. Platt Is not testimony avowlng
his innocence Just on the eve OF the election, Dut
a manly meeting of the charges before the
committee in ample time, so that the whole
matter can be thoroughly siftcd-not good
enough Morgan iii after the election. but real
vindlcaton made early enough to affect mems
minds before they have decided how they are
going to vote. Let Mr.. Platt do this ana ne
may then hope that on the next registration
DAYS honest citizens will hasten to qualify
themselves to support a indicated leader III
his fight against Tammany and dishonest gov
eminent. But II he is not sure enough or his
own honesty 10 proclaim It he cannot wonder
at not arouslnc great enthusiasm when trying
to keep his grasp on the Legislature That
light registration ought to make him think or
these things