The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-19

Once upon q time it used to be said that
this was a great country. because its in
situations were founded upon the town
meeting. The town meeting idea rests
upon the power and ability of each in
dividual citizen to speak his little piece.
to exercise his little influence as a con-
sutuent molecule Of the political mass,
and to be counted with his neighbors
But that was in the nebulous days be-
fore political power passed from the com
mOnalty and its nominal representatives
in Office. into the hands of bosses like
Hanna and Plat. The sociologist Of this
decade would say rather that American
institutions are based upon the ability
OF half dozen men Of the type OF COsimo
de Medici; capable Of organizing and domi-
mating political machines and using them
to further the purposes Of a piutocratic oil
garohy which in the last analysis dictates
the policies and legislation of the nation,
and rules its rulers and itself with auto
cratic absolutsm. But this is a serious
thought. and the text Of our sermon is
far from being serious.
Be il known that Mr.. Timothy L. Wood
run. Of Kings County. New York. one Of
Mr. Platts most cherished and cherubic
political offspring. is an aspirant Cor the
Republican Vice Presidential nomination.
Nobody in particular wants Tiny Tim"
as far as we have been able to learn. But
the shelf in view looks gaudy TO him, and
he screams for it, II it were the moon
the principle would be the same. His
indulgent party parent does not think
that the blood OF Tiny Tim" could stand
such richness. There is another boy, named
Theodore. who rides bronchos and climbs
hills. whom it would De well to send to
the Vice Presidency as TO a house Of
refuge But the Republican playma-es OF
Tiny Tim" in Brooklyn want him 10 have
the toy he longs for. il only to stop his
scrceching Tor il. So they muster up cour-
age and go to Papa Platt Little Billy"
Euiott-perhaps it is "Johnny'-is the
spokesman. he stammers. and bushes
and rattles the marbles in his pocket as
be says:
eve feeI we have the right Senator p,ltr. and
$50 wish To- exercise the right. o. come here ia
behalf of our fgli1u-tOg UsI.au and leader, Lieu
tenant Governor Woodruff. We believe that be
WILL prove tgpi.a. man iar the great place
f0r which uo advocate him. We do ust wish 60
d-auaure ary existing plan. Iu speaking for
one ot our delegates. would say we would like
tle convention Co endorse Liiu. Iae majority ot
Us, however. feel that g. Is too late to a-k Cor
this We ask sou. >ir, 10 d. that which sou
,liul best and wise, Jut ve wish most sincerely
and emuhatgaUy to endorse Timothy Lester
Woodruff for Vice President"
Papa Plat is panied but not angry. He
says 4 have said several times that
it would be uuVi5e TO endorse Tim at
this convention. ] think it would ruin
him" This, We take it, was meant to
convey the idea that too much cabbages
is not good FOR guinea pigs But the
brave young spokesman was not TO be
crushed. and straightway. with boyish
guile. he resorted to "tohy" as follows:
'Air PIatt. wc do rot desire 70 laui or pile
on complimentary terms Unnecessarily, but wc
recognize sou -s ila maker 90 Presidents, Vice
Presidents and Governors. and your personal
fr.lud--s.m 81 us far TWENTY-FIVE lc1rs-Ue lsk
..u Go DO what YOU can TO make him Vice PTesl-
dent TIL, Is tla most Distinguished delegation
thst ever rsme from Kings County. continuing
merchants, business men, lawyers. doctors, etc"
Papa Plat was not properly placated.
Everybody knows that he makes Govern
ors. insurance commissioners harbor mas
tiers. State deals, and laws. and plenty Of
good things otherw Use; but the juvenile
assertion that be makes Presidents ard
Vice Presidents. while he would wish it
to be true. rather rasped him, because it
is not. There are others; Hanna for ex-
ample, So Papa Plat looked severe aad
snorted as he remarked:
Il have shown my confidence aud faith In Gov
suar Woodruff many times by doing very many
Things ] suppose 1 shall continue 90 90 this,
but. gentleman. I am going 10 take my own WAY
OF dosuy 10. I think You will fad IN the end
that ] am thc best friend Jimmie BIAS got'
There wss not much enooura cement in
this, but the boys knew on which side
their bread was buttered. and hoyled with
delight. Then Papa Plat tried to look
pleased, although he was not. and was
thinking how a trunk strap would 1T the
stern opportunities OF the occasion. Any |
way he rejoined:
Il viii be highly hOnoTed gentlemen, by your 1
personal friendship. and thank YOU As | have 4
said in the past | think | will show you before /
get through that l will be the best friend /
Tim has l must exercise my Own judgment. ]