New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-22
ROOSEVELT. PLATT, PAYN.
REASON FOR GOVERNORS DELAY IN
NAMING SUPERINTENDENT OF
INSURANCE.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNB.I

[BY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Albany, Jan. 21-There is a general impress
sion among the Republican politicians of Albany
tonight that Governor Roosevelt has given Sen
ator Platt a few days for the consideration.
from a Platt organization point of view, of the
merits of various candidates for Superintendent
of the Insurance Department, and that therefore
it is not probable that anything further will be
done in the selection of a candidate by the
Governor for several days.
1t is regarded as significant that Senator
Ellsworth, president pro tenn. of the Senate,
and an ardent lieutenant of Senator Platt, found
it suddenly necessary to absent himself from
the Senate for several days and that Governor
Roosevelt then announced that owing to SEN
ator Elsworth's absence no nomination for
Superintendent of Insurance would be made by
him until after Wednesday, as until then Sen
ator Ellsworth would be away from Albany
The Governor is courteous, but even politicians
cannot see why a nomination should be delayed
until Senator Ellsworths return, and they are
inclined to think that Senator Ellsworths alb
sence is part of some strategy of Senator Platt
to give him time to select for Governor Roose-
velts consideration a man who will be thor
oughly loyal to him (Senator Platt) if he should
happen to be confirmed.
PLATT'S REGARD FOR PAYN
No Republican politician here doubts of the
warmth of Senator Platts regard for Louis
F. Payn, or that he will do all he can to secure
the retention Of Mr.. Payn in his present place.
But Senator Platt must also, in order to
retain influence with Governor Roosevelt ap-
pear to be willing to name various persons for
the office although not promising them support.
These persons, of course, are in every instance
devoted followers of Senator PIatt. 1t is policy
in the opinion of politicians, OF heads I win and
tails you lose"
If Mr.. Payn holds fast to his office Of Super
intendent of Insurance then Senator Platt can
be happy; if a follower of his defeats Mr. Payn.
then also there is happiness. In either the
office remains in Senator Platt's control. and
there is no loss of political strength by the Sen
ator through the change in its head.
Governor Roosevelt returned here to-day, but
had nothing to say about the conflict over the
office of Superintendent of the Insurance De-
partment. Before he went to New York how
ever. it should be stated, he announced that he
would be reticent on his return as to the result
of his talk with Senator PIatt and Mr. OdeIl.
In the judgment Of the politicians the Governor
acts with cOmmendable caution in considering
with care any candidate for Superintendent of
the Insurance Department suggested to him by
Senator Platt. Not only the Senator's good
faith in making such suggestion be ques-
toned, but also his ability in securing con-
1rmaton, even if he makes a suggestion in
good faith. can be questioned; for ever since the
present Senate was organized 1t has been plain
that Senator Platt did not control it.
PAYN TO FIGHT.
Superintendent Payn, whatever attitude Sen
ator Platt may take, has resolved to fight for his
position. 1t is the belief of his friends that
most of the Democratic Senators will vote for
him under the influence of William c. Whitney
and other Democrats of prominence. The ar
gument made by leading Democrats for the
adoption of this policy is that the Democratic
party may elect Governor and majority of
State Senators this year. and that if 1T should
win such victory a Democrat could be named
for Superintendent of the Insurance Depart
ment if Payn holds over, whereas if a Repub-
lican should be put IN Mr.. Payn's place this
official would hold office for the coming three
years and no Democrat would obtain 1t in that
period. Mr.. Payn's supporters also say they
confident of Republican support.
1t is not believed here that Governor Roose-
Welt could persuade General Francis V. Greene,
of New-YOrk to accept the post Of Superntend-
ent of the Insurance Department, although there
a rumor to-day here that he might be nomi-
mated. But General Greene declined the office
of Superintendent of Public Works, and he is
man connected with large business enterprise,
which he would hardly resign to take public Of
flee. 1t is we'll known that Governor ROose
Vet's consultation with General Greene yester-
day in New-York was in relation to the coming
publication of the Canal Advisory Commissions
report the wisdom or unwisdom of further
enlarging the canals of the State. NeVerthe-
less 1t should be stated that Governor RoOse-
Welt has been looking about for of the
ability of General Greene for Superintendent Of
the Insurance Department, and one here,
therefore, would be surprised by his nomination
for the office.