New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-26
THE COUNTY PRESIDENCY.

1t now appears that a rather sudden change
has come over the local political situation ana
that General Francis V. Greene can if he Will
be elected President Of the Republican County
Committee. The belief which had prevailed
since the nomination of Governor Roosevelt for
Vice President, that his personal friend ana
adviser at Philadelphia would not succeed Mr..
Quigg. was sustained on Saturday by Mr.
Platts expression of grave doubts about the
matter. and strengthened almost TO the point OF
certainty yesterday afternoon by General
Greene's admission that he had saved his Origi-
nal supporters the trouble Of setting him aside
II do not seek any office IN the public service
or in the Republican organization" said General
Greene I'm dispatch which / sent to Sena-
tor Plat yesterday clearly stated my position
"in regard TO the County Committee" This did
not necessarily mean that he had positively
refused to take the place for which he was
selected several weeks ago. but it was expected
TO confirm Mr. Platt's opinion that the man
who so boldly signifed his preference that the
Governor should be reelected TO his present
office was unfit to have anything to do with his
campaign for the Vice Presidency. 1t was
known also that Colonel Roosevelt firmly held
the contrary opinion. and had explicitly In
formed Mr.. Platt of the fact; but 1t was not
supposed that his wishes would be any dearer
TO that statesman this week in New York than
they were last week in Philadelphia. Last even
ing. however II became evident that Mr. Platt
was not quite ready 10 let the country under
stand that having himself been eager to betray
Governor Roosevelt at Philadelphia. he now
proposed to turn down General Greene for keep
ing faith with the Governor. So last evening.
with General Greenes dispatch and Governor
Roosevet's letter in his pocket. and in his
411.4 dll,Niya
for President Of the County Committee would
stand.
General Greene is fully justified in saying that
he does not seek an office in the Republican or
ganizatiou. He is clearly in no need of the sort
of reputation which Mr.. Quigg has obtained as
president OF the County Committee. or Of the
perquises which the place may be made to
confer on its incumbent We have no doubt
that General Greene is competent TO direct the
committees activities efficiently, and that If he
We're TO become its president under conditions
suitable to his characte1 a. standing he would
enter upon the task for which MIR. Platt
Gently considered him we'll qualified with vigor
and sagacity. But about the last thing that he
can reasonably be supposed 10 c0vet is nominal
management Of a campaign in which he would
merely sign the orders issued by another man
and run the risk Of being held responsible for
stupid blunders or pertidious tricks.
1t is conceivable that Mr.. Plat, constrained
by circumstances which he will deplore to adopt
as his own the point of view attributed TO Mr..
Odell on Saturday. that 1.-THE Republican organ
"ization is not going TO make fool Of itself ut
1.-The very beginning OF the campaign will
make up his mind TO treat Governor Roosevelt,
General Greene and the Republican party here
and throughout the country with decent respect
In that case General Greene may be able to
accept the presidency OF the County Committee
with honor and advantage 10 the party. But we
hope and believe that for his own sake and for
the sake OF Colonel Roosevelt indeed. ali
accounts he will not permit himself TO be
SHARED into posing as a manager while he is
nothing more than hgurehead.