New-York tribune., 1900-06-14
Mr.. PLATT AND THE VICE-PRESIDENCY


vention is to be the selection of suitable candi-
date for Vice President The rest Of the work
is practically marked out already. But there is
yet need to settle on some man for second place
who is big enough for first and who will add
strength to the ticket. In such case IL is
natural to turn to New York as the pivotal
State. Its electoral vote is presumably essen
tial to success, and, while Republicans have
every reason for expecting to carry 1t, all real
ize, or should realize, that it is too subject to
violent changes TO be neglected. In reliance on
its overwhelming vote of four years ago.
When it comes to strengthening the ticket in
New York, however. difficulty seems to be en-
countered. Most Of the names proposed by
friends of the Administration in other States as
likely to give dignity TO the ticket and be popu-
lar in New-York do not suit Mr.. Platt. Ex-
Secretary Bliss is said to be favorably regarded
by the Administration, but Mr.. Platt does not
want to throw the New-York delegation to
man who charges that he 'delibera tey acts so
las to make It impossible for sef-respecting
'men to be allied with him even for a good
purpose In this case, however. candor compels
to remind the friends Of the Administration
that there is an opposite consideration to be
kept in view. and that before they reach a con-
clusion favorable to the nomination of Mr.
Bliss they should take into account his declara
ton in 1897 that a failure to support General
Tracy against Mr.. Low would be bad as not
to have been on the side of the Union at Gettys
burg. Close friends of the President have
said that Mr.. Mckinley thinks Seth Low would
strengthen the ticket in this and other States.
In view of the effort which is evidently to be
made to impress people with the notion that the
educated thinkers disapprove Of the expansion
policy, man identified with a great university
and everywhere known as an Independent
thinker and worker for good government might
make most valuable Vice-Presidential candi-
date. But Mr.. Patt will not 'stand for" him
or for any other possible candidate from New
York who would have the confidence of the
voters determining the election.
His scheme to rid himself of Governor Roose-
welt having seemingly been blocked by that
statesman's unwlingness to come to the res
cue, Mr.. Platt appears to tolerate notion
of letting the Administration have any New
Yorker Of larger size than Mr.. Odell, OF
course, the nomination of Mr. Odeu would
strengthen the ticket in the quarters where
1t needs strengthening about much as
would the nomination of Mr.. Woodruff. Both
of these gentlemen are popular with the ma
chine, but the votes Mr.. Mckinley wants to be
sure of are the 31S.0OO votes in this State which
for him in 1896, when he got a nomination
in spite Of Mr.. Platt. and large part of which
deserted the Republican ticket the next year,
when Mr.. Plat had his own way and his man.
agement Of affairs under judgment He
transformed victory by 26S, 900 plurality into a
defeat by $4,000 minority in one year. Now,
apparently, he is perfectly willing TO pursue the
same tactics of exclusive machine domination.
Rather than let the President choose running
mate who has the confidence of the people. he
prefers to have the candidate come from some
other State let the effect on the New-York cam
paign be what it may.
The safe rule for the Administration to fol-
low is to pick its man and nominate him re-
gardless of Mr.. Platt. If the leaders from
other States think Western candidate more
useful they may be assured that the Republi-
cans Of New-York will heartily wish them to
follow their judgment. If, on the other hand,
they believe New-York's electoral vote can be
made more certain by some Of character
aud reputation from this State able to gain the
favor of the independent voters who are the
balance of power here, they need not worry
about the automatic Endorsement Of the New
York delegation. The Presidency has been won
before now in face Of the original opposition of
the organization in the candidates own State
What NewYork wants is the nomination Of the
best and strongest man, whether he suits Mr.
Platt OF not. and election returns show that
NEWCOMERS will vote for him rather more
readily if he does not suit Mr. Platt than If he
does.