New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-06
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The determination Of Mr. Platt 10 send his
party 10 the test of election handicapped 10y the
charges against him which he viii not answer
has become settled fact. He has now run
away beyond return His committee has adj
journcd, and every Republican worker in the
State when hc asks voter 10 return n Ropuh-
lican Assomblyman to Albany is left TO hc con-
frontcd with the question Of Mr. Platt> past
use of the Legislature 10 launch financial
schemes TO hc carried 20 completion hy ncgo,ia-
ton and partnership with Tammany If this
charge IS untrue. if Mr.. Platt does not use his
influence over Republican legislators for the
promotion Of such jobs. he docs serious in
Justice 10 Republican candidates everywhere
by his failur, 10 set them and himself right.
Especially is This true since General Tracy went
upon the witness stand and so satisfactorily
answered all questions about Ramapo. He was
much more directly Identified with that enter
prise than Mr. Plart. If hc could meet the stu
alton il may naturally be thought that Mr.
Plat could do equally well. If equally in
noccnt His pcrsistcn, silence under very def
mite charges that hc is The paramount authority
whom an The Republicans in Ramapo honest
ngurchcads or dishonest ~chcmcrS. obey leaves
the pavnS which me- is seeking 10 place on the
Of The reputation Of the player behind them.
There have been times when such unrcfutcd
charges against "A party leader might not have
operated much % the Disadvantage Of individual
candidates. But Mr. Plat has taken care to
build Mp q system of personal power and per
sonal responsibility From the beginning Of
our history there have been political leaders
whose personal conduct was widely criticised
and .munsued They might diScrcdit their
party. BAT while legislation was still business
for Independents thought AT least on matters not
distinctly political candidate could appeal
10 The people Oh hl~ own personality and his
partisan beliefs Now. however. when law
making. oven of the most strictly private char
acter is made the concern Of the organizations
and the party leader decides how every man
must vote OH treasures in which his personal
friends or enemies are financially concerned. the
an important issue before the people in The
choice Of lawmakers becomes the methods and
purposes Of this leader who not merely deter
mines political policies bur dictates legislation
Cor The benefit Of individuals We are not con
ccrnoi now whether the dictation on these pri-
vate matters is right or wrong. whether this or
that legislative grant 10 private persons IS
steal or a grant deserving commentator Nor
Is the question between the old system Of broad
ly Distinguishing political from unpolitical meas
ures and the new trust system for private as
well as public and political legislation the pres
ent subject Of discussion. Wise or unwise. the
new system exists and is generally recognized.
The party leader in each party has become the
actual lawmaker 10 an extent never dreamed
Of by earlier Americans. II a charter is wanted
he must be seen. If corporation wants some
special favor or exemption from such rascally
attack II seeks him. He is the clearing house
Of legislation. perhaps sometimes to a good end
but still the clearing house. That Is our pres