The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-08
TEN PAGES TODAY
THE VITALITY OF BossIs,a

One OF the most prominent political
items of interest In the current news OF
the day is the recent demonstration OF
the continued and overshadowing mastery
of the republican party in New York by
Senator Thomas C. Plat. And to con-
tr5l New York is to remain as one OF tho
mist powerful factors In National affairs.
The optimistic and simple editors OF
the leading republican papers In New
York, only two years ago were boasting
that the power OF Mr.. Plat had been de-
stroyed. that when he was forced TO yield
to Roosevelt's nomination the machine
was broken and that In the future de
cency' and Independence OF bosssm'
would be the rule OF republicanism In the
Empire State.
Mr.. Plat must have quietly enjoyed
this refreshing childlike comment. Many
must have been the easy laughs he in
dulged in the soclusIon Of his apartments
over the idea that Mr.. Roosevelt had
smashed the machine" organization. 1t
was not a month after Roosevelt's nomi-
nation before he was deferring to the
boss suggestions. nor a month after his
inauguration before he was taking orders
from Mr. Platti
But there was vein OF egotism and
ampulsiveness in Teddy coupled with an
ambition that constantly kept the boss
uneasy and watchfnl, and he only bidod
bis time to get rid OF the war hero"
whom the exigencies OF the political sit
trSt tn, to
s-1a 10 csanoe in the National convention
when he compelled Roosevelt to accept
the nomination fer the vice presidency
and manipulated this nomination In the
convention over the opposition OF
MIR. Hanna Mr.. ROosevelts dream OF an.
other triumphant election as governor Of
New York and thn logical candidate" for
the presidency in 1904. was rudely shat
tered. With simple pass or two 'thC
easy boss" had endorsed the Rough
Rider and hlazed the way for the nomina-
ton OF plant henchman for governor
The selection OF Benjamin B. Odell. Jr
as the republican candidate for the cover.
norship OF New York was one Of the bold
est and most defiant moves the machine
nas ever mAue IN lndt state. Mr.. Odel
is "Platt's man Friday" typical ma
chime politician. professional lobbyist
and political trlckster. the very antl-typt
OF everything that Roosevelt was popu-
larly supposed to stand for when nrs,
nominated for governor In 1893 Thi.
nomination Is a reckless slap in the face
of the anti-pachlne decent element Of
republicans in New York. 1t has beer
forced by Mr. Plat because he hopes the
National election Will enable odell &c
win. II not. the boss would rather ,
democrat were elected than an anti-ma
chine republican.
And Roosevelt. "the independent
Roosevelt. the disciple Of pure politics
Roosevelt. the "decent man in politics
the Scholar In politics" the boosted ana
boastful champion of anti-ring methods
throws UP his sombraro and hurrans with
the noisiest OF Flatts rlngsters over the
nomination OF odoll as his successor,
What do tho simple minded and credu.
lous New York editors think OF Mr. Platts
political demise" nov? What do tbs,
think OF Teddy as an instrument OF re.
form and smasher OF machines? How
much vitality is there In this man Plat
anyway?