Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-04-22
TOM REEDS
New York Plans May Be for Politi-
cal Reasons,

O0l lOQOOlOt
New York, April 20.-Thomas B.
Reeds change of residence from Maine
to this city has created uneasiness
among the friends of President McKin-
ley. They suspect that instead of
abandoning his Presidential ambition,
Mr. Reed has merely shifted his
ground to be N better position to at
tack the convention next year.
Governor Roosevert's admirers are
also not overjoyed at having a Repub-
lican of Mr.. Reeds importance invade
the state They fear he may stand in
the way of their favorite when the
time comes for New York to select a
candidate.
Senator Platts friendship for the
former Speaker is looked upon as the
element of danger in the situation.
While ostensibly supporting Governor
Morton for the nomination in 1896 it
was no secret that senator rlatt was
really for Mr.. Reed. Though he has
made his peace with President McKin-
ley and is now on an intimate footing
in the White House, the Presidents
friends have not forgotten the bitter
assaults which he made upon Presi-
dent Mckinley before the st. Louis
convention.
They are disinclined to credit the fl
nancial reason given by Mr. Reeds
friends for his removal to this city
They say he was receiving a comfort
able income and that he would not
have withdrawn from his position of
influence and power in Washington
merely for the sake of increasing it,
They suspect that a secret understand
ing exists between him and Senator
Platt whereby the fight which was lost
in 1896 will be renewed next year.
With the 72 delegates of New York
at his back Mr.. Reed would be a much
more formidable candidate for the
Presidency than he was as the candi-
date of the 10 delegates from Maine.
Moreover his strength in New England
would probably be at his disposal even
if he should become the candidate of
New lork.
Mr.. Reeds withdrawal from con-
gress, in the opinion of the admins
tration's supporters is likely to help
him with the people rather than injure
him. His opposition to the policy of
his party there had created a disagree
able impression in some quarters,
which would have been deepened had
he continued to occupy a place in
which his antagonism to the general
sentiment of his party would have be-
come more and more apparent His
retirement will allow the impression to |
die out, and, being sheltered from crit
cism in private life, he will become a
larger figure in the popular mind than |
ne was at the close of the recent ses-
sion of congress.
Should there be a change of senti- |
ment in regard to the results of the
war with Spain, it is even feared by
President McKinley's friends tnat Mr..
Reeds ant-eXpansion views and his |
freedom from responsibility for the |
lew policy would make him strong in |
he convention.
Senator Platt's friendly attitude TO-
ward the administrat. is attributed |
wholly to his desire to obtain patro-
lage. That he has been unusually
N this direction in the
minds of the Presidents anxious sup
1orters is no reason why he should not
hrcw his strength to Mr.. Reed.
In similar manner Governor Roos-
,velt's followers do not feel that Sena-
or Platt has any actual cordiality fOl
lin. They believe that the working
,asis between the two men exists only
iffOrd to oppose the Governor,an that
ie would kill him off with Reed"
without compunction if the opportun-
ty should arise.
None of the organization leaders in
he city will discuss the possibility of
ir. Reeds candidacy. Lemuel L.
luigg, who is a close personal friend
If the former Speaker said the ques-
ion was too large" for him to talk of
It present.
If Senator Platt has in mind any
'lans which justify the fears of the
Presidents friends he is not likely to
mpart them until the time comes for