The evening times., 1900-09-11
NOTES OF THE CAMPAIGN.
watching rIntt CIoseIy.-wben s,

Watching PIntt CIoseIy.-When Sen
ator Platt's scheme to nominate his chief
lobbyist, Odell, for Governor was first
made plain, about two months ago. The
Times called attention to its Significance
as matter which should give Mr.. Hanna
and .Ir. Mckinley very grave concern
1t was pointed out then, and it is now
conceded on ali sides, that Odell was one
OF the weakest men with the masses in
New York, that his notorious reputation
as lobbyist at Albany would involve his
candidacy among the people in very seri-
Gus doubt, and that to elect him the full
power of both political machines in New
York-the Democratic as we'll as Republi
can-would have to be on his side. But in
order to obtain the help of the Democratic
machine for Odell, of which now for the
first time Richard Croker is the absolute
master. some valuable consideration
would have to be held out to Croker The
patronage of Greater New York is worth
more to Croker than the State patronage
is worth. Add to this the Federal patron
age. and Croker's power would be in
creased to a point greater than that OF
any political manipulation in the whole
country The patronage of New York
State IS worth more to PIatt than all OF
the Federal patronage of the State. In
point o. fact, there are about twice as
many positions directly and indirect
ly at the disposal of the Governor
OF New York there are at the dis
posal of the President in that State And
then. too if Mr.. Mckinley is reelected
there is every prospect that he will ig-
more Platt almost completely, and turn
over TO the Root-Bliss siIk-st0cking fac
tion of the party the great bulk of the
patronage in New York, well as tha
lions share of the good things in the
new insular possessions whose exploita-
tiOn for the benefit of special interests
favored) by the Administration scarcely
has yet begun. Why, therefore. should
Senator Platt care a rap for the re-eiec-
tion of Mr.. Mckinley Evidences are
multiplying rapidly which show that
both Mr.. Hanna and Mr. Mckinley are
now asking themselves this question in
all seriousness. If any proof of MIR
Hanna alarm were needed it can easily
be found in the remarkable circumstance
that Mr.. Hanna threatened trouble tc
Odell at the last minute before his nomi-
nation for Governor unless the latter
consented TO retain the Craftsmanship o.
the State committee and manage, or a
least assume official responsibility for
whoever may nominally be the chairman
OF the State committee, il is we'll I'm
GeTstoCd that the sagaCiouS Plat
| is the real controlling spirit OF th>
State organization It is pertinent in this
relation TO note that while Piatt is under
the ban of suspicion Of Mr.. Mckinley
managers, the brusque and headstrong
| Croker is in high favor with the Bryan
managers. who are strongly suspected OF
conniving at his game TO crush Hill. II
goes without saving that if the Democrat;
national managers did not put the utmost
confidence in CrOkeT-s pTotestations OF 10y
atty 10 Bryan they would have ere this
found a way TO stop his fight on Coier ani
would have brought about that gentleman
nomination for Governor. and thus made
assurance double sure in New York, for
nobody not even Croker himself, denies
the overwhelming strength of CoIer among
the masses. But il is argued that il may
be better politics to permit Platt and Cr0h-
er TO work out the scheme in their OWE
way. By this means Plat can elect his
man Governor OF New York
throw the electoral vote OF
the State 10 Bryan. and leave
Croker a clear teld in Greater New York
for the next municipal election, with the
additional advantage OF having no one tc
dispute with him the control of the Fed.
eral patronage OF the State in the event
Of Mr.. Bryan election. With New York.
thirty-six votes, secured in the manne,
here indicated, Mr.. Bryan could lose Kan.
sas and one or Two small Western States
and still win the Presidency. Even Repub
lican estimates show this result TO be pos,
sibIe. And so it is expected that tbs
Democratic State Convention at Saratogs
today viii ratify this alleged deal between
PIatt and Croker, and Mr.. Hanna Will fine
himself poWerless to checkmate the game
in spite of the fact that he has resortec
to the desperate remedy OF fixing directly
upon Plat responsibility for the result t,
Mr. Mckinley in New York by making
Odell retain the State craftsmanship while
running for Governor.