The times., 1899-07-26
The rIatt-Roose,ert Combine.

1t Is gratifying, tnOuSn not entirely sat
isfying as TO the future, TO learn that
Governor Roosevelt has foregone the
foolish resolution he was at one time an
nounced to have adopted of calling spe-
cial session of the Legislature to enact
retroactive legislation designed to Gust
the present Democratic administration in
New York City by limiting 10 two years
the tenure of the mayoralty. The fact,
however. that he gave serious considera-
tion to this proposition is significant of
desperate political programme planned by
the New York Republican leaders. and
doubtless accounts for the sudden coalition
of Republican factions in the Empire
State. We cannot see that the ambitious
young Rough Rider has done any of the
numerous things looking to the puriica-
ton of his party politics which were prom
ised by his boomers year ago. 1t is
evident that the Machiayellian Platt is
quite as potent in the party management
as he had been at any time during the
score or more of years that he was being
fought by the element which pushed
Roosevelt to the front. In fact, instead of
the Rough Rider pinning back the ears of
Platt and swallowing that oleaginous boss
at enc gulp, Platt appears to have done
The swallowing. and we are unable to dis
cern in the region of the Easy Boss +"
girth any sign indicative of an effort on the
part Of the Rough Rider to kick his way
to liberty Indeed, Roosevelt seems to be
entirely content to remain in such close
/ communion with Plat Wherefore We
may expect in future to witness continu-
ance Of Platt methods in Republican
management in New York
This. of course, involves programme
Of harmony between elements that have
been irreconciIably discordant ever since
Platt stalked Indignantly out of the United
States Senate in the brilliant glare of
Roscoe Conklings flaming wrath. How
long they can be held together depends,
we suspect, upon the fate of the plans
now formed to completely rout Democrats
! from public Office in the State. If the next
| Assembly elected is overwhelmingly Re
publican we may look for continuance
OF the peace that now prevails. This
| Assembly will be expected to enact some
sort Of legislation to disrupt Tammany so
4 the Platt machine may add to its equip
ment the patronage of the New York City
hall. If it fail in that purpose. We can
present relations and a renewal of the
| old-time warfare on Platt, with new lead
erships and stronger resources. By that
! time the Rough Rider may be so thor
oughly overtopped by the Hon. Elihu Root
or some other member Of the upper class
faction that he will find the leadership OF
that side beyond his reach, and perforce he
may have to remain under the Plat BAN
ner That would inevitably mean his rele-
CATION to the rear in 1904. and thus New
York would again be out of the list OF
communities which provide the Repub-
! lican hosts with available Presidential
timber
This view of the case shows that the
game being played by Platt and Roose-
Welt under their harmonious understanding
1 Is quite as desperate as that played by
the Rough Rider at San Juan. with the
balance OF chance or luck much more
against him now than it was then. II is
a TREMENDOUS undertaking to hold to-
gether for four or five years the huge
compact indicated BY Piatt's submission
to the giving of place and power to old
time enemies like Root and Choate. And
if it is not held together We do not see
what of profit is In store for Roosevelt
who seems eager to do Platt's bidding even
to the extreme of forcing legislation that
viii break Tammanys power in way that
takes no account of methods which the
Roosevelts, Roots, and Choates have beer
wont to make outcry against as tyran-
meal and dishonest. Altogether, Mr.
Rooseyelts political future seems to be
smeared with color not as roseate as :,
might wish.