New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-18
Mr.. PLATT SCENTS DANGER
PUBLIC OPINION MAY FORCE MR.. SAX
TONS CONFIRMATION.
PLIABLE ORGANIZATION" MAN DESIRED
FOR INSURANCE SUPERINTENDENT
TRUSTED IIEUTENANTs ACTIVE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !


ment for two weeks past has been Charles T.
Saxton former Lieutenant-G Governor of the
state Senator Platt, however, has favored the
retention Of Louis F. Payn in office and up till
lately has believed that Governor Roosevelt
would fail in his efforts to bring about the
hrmat1on of Mr.. sSaXton If he should nominate
him for the ofic4N
The events of the last week. however have
convinced Senator Platt that there is some dan
ger that public opinion might force the con-
HIIhatlon of Mr. Saxtoh. and therefore strong
effort is being made by Mr. Platt's leutenants
py MS orders, to induce Governor Roosevelt to
nominate some other man than Mr. Saxton a
weaker man than Mr. Saxton being preferred
MT SaXton is Objectionable to Senator Platt be-
0"Use ne mas too much independence of charac-
ter A man Of different type is desired at the
mead Of the Insurance Department-some man
OF plastic disposition ready to act as the head
Oh the organization" may desire on all occa-
sions.
MIR. PAYN CONSULTED.
Mr.. Payn Of course, has been consulted about
this scheme to induce Governor Roosevelt 70
abandon Mr.. Saxton and substitute some weaker
candidate. Naturally, it is said Mr. Pawn Is not
disposed to resist the adoption of policy which
will diminish Governor Rooseyelt's novver IN
place some other man at the head of the Insur
ance Department. Mr.. Payn has, it is said even
generously suggested a candidate for Governor
RocseVelts consideration. namely, Robert H
Hunter, of Poughkeepsie, Deputy Superintendent
Of the Insurance Department Mr. Hunter for
many years has been a political lieutenant of
Mr. Payn, and the latter upon becoming Super
intendent of the Insurance Department made
him his deputy. Mr.. Payn has always shown
shrewdness. If Hunter should be confirmed as
Superintendent by any accident he (Payn) would
INao
ment.
Benjamin B. OdeH, jr., the chairman of the
Republican State Committee and George w.
Dunn, of Binghamton, one of the two State
Railroad Commissioners who owe their appoint
ment to Senator Platt's influence have been the
chief agents of Senator Platt in his attempt TO
induce Governor Roosevelt to abandon ex-Lieu-
tenant Governor Saxton. Nothing has been said
against Mr.. SaxtOn; simply the argument has
been made that he is so far outside the ranks Of
true Organization Republicans" that really he
must be set aside. Mr.. Oden and Mr.. Dunn
rived here yesterday and at once went to work
to carry out their mission. Last night they had
two hours confidential talk with Superntend-
ent Payn about the affair. Mr.. Payn thus is
fully aware of the exertions Senator Platt is
making to get eX-Lieutenant Governor Saxton
out of the way. and if possible to have weaker
Mr.. Odell also had a conference with Governor
Roosevelt to-day.
PLACE OFFERED MR. DUNN
The fact may be mentioned that Governor
Roosevelt two months ago offered the post Of
Superintendent of the Insurance Department to
Mr. Dunn, but the latter declined it. Senator
Platt undoubtedly advised Mr. Dunn at that
time to retain his office of Railroad Commits
sioner, having decided to support Mr.. Payn in
his attempt to retain the post of Superintendent
OF the Insurance Department. 1t is reported
that even now Governor Roosevelt would ap-
point Mr.. Dunn head of the Insurance De-
partment, but the latter prefers to remain in
the Railroad Commission.
hp la Of Ilptt 20
political organization who have been sounded
by Governor Roosevelt in relation to the in
surance superintendency have Immediately said
they did not desire the appointment. A good
many petty members of the Platt organization,
men who could not possibly commSnd sufficient
support in the State Senate to win victory
Superintendent Payn, on the other hand,
have been freely put forward for Governor
RooseYelts consideration.
Senator Platt will be in New-York on Satur-
day. Governor Roosevelt to-day announced that
he would not make any nomination for the office
of Superintendent of the Insurance Department
this week 1t may be mentioned that good
many leading Republican members of the Legis-
lature had believed that Governor Roosevelt
would make a nomination for the office early
this week Then Mr. OdeI and Mr.. Dunn
rived, and no nomination for Superintendent OF
the Insurance Department was made An ar
rangement, 1t is said has been made for meet
ing between Governor Roosevelt and Senator
Platt in New-York on Saturday at which time
the entire subject of filling the office of Supertn-
tendent Of the Insurance Department is to be
discussed
Governor Roosevelt, however, mas not yet pun
licly said he was going to New-YOrk. If this
meeting takes place Senator Platt will undoubt-
edy suggest some other Republican than Mr..
Saxton for the Governors consideration.
SENATOR PLATTS PROMISES.
Senator Platt, of course, will promise IL his
candidate is selected to insure his confirmation
nv the Senate Governor Roosevelt, however,
has reason to distrust Senator Platt's promises
in regard to this office.
After failing to induce Governor Roosevelt to
reappoint Mr. Payn as superintendent, Senator
PIa+t pretended to be neutral in the contest
His neutrality was swiftly shown in the declna-
tions OF his friends to accept at Governor Roose-
yelt's hands the place. Then ex-Lleulehant
C,o,rernor Saxton consented to permit his name
n 90 before the Senate. This action of Mr
Saxton has been swiftly followed by Senator
Platt seeking to persuade Governor hooseNel'
70 take some other man. Many politicians re-
,narl, that Senator Patt could not control the
state Senate when he attempted to pass the
State Police bill last winter, and they therefore
will be astonshed If Governor Roosevelt ac-
cents his promise to bring about the conhrma-
tion Of the man he proposes for superintendent
of the Insurance Department. Besides senator
Platt the Governor has to consider LOUIS r
payn q formidable man if he does not care to
surrender an office. good many politicians
also doubt if Senator Platt would really select
a man as Mr. Payn's opponent VINO coulo ous'
him from his present off1ce-f he cared TO re-
tain II The friendship between Mr.. Platt ana
Mr. Pawn is one Of many years existence ana
thev were acting in alliance at state conVen-
tions when Governor Roosevelt was sun at
school
MAY ATTEND GODDARD DINNER.
,r 1s EXPECTED THAT THE GOVERNOR AND
SENATOR PI4ATT WILL CONFER HERE
SATURDAY.
c,arror Roosevelt is expected to come to this