New-York tribune., 1900-03-23
THE SMOTHERING PROCESS.

Apparently Odell is stronger than duty. The
common organization weapon for discouraging
reform, 1T cannot pass" is being applied with
the cynicism of mere brute force TO the Morgan
bill, and even the Governor seems to have been
go far overcome by it that he made no serious
effort at his latest conference and supper with
the organization leaders 10 force them TO put the
bill through 1T cannot pass" and What are
you going TO do about it?' sum up the attitude
of the powers that be in Albany. This attitude
is though safe because the Tammany and Re
publican machines are allied, and there is
conspiracy of silence on the subject among the
party organs of both parties. No newspaper
representing Mr.. Platt seriously attempts 10 de-
fend the Ramapo company, and no newspaper
representing Mr. Croker seriously attacks it,
That is the usual machine policy OF smothering
disagreeable subject and answering truths told
by irresponsible clamOr'
Nevertheless. the fact remains that the Legis-
lature of the State OF New York is to-day being
used by Mr.. Plat 10 promote the private finan-
cial interests of persons connected by family
personal and political ties with Mr. Platt him
self. and no champion of Mr. Platt dare deny it
dare answer rhe charge with anything but
mumbng evasoDs.
The RamapO Water Company to-day has
New-YOrk City at its mercy because Of spe-
cial legislation giving it rights of eminent
domain larger than any other private water
company possesses and because OF charter
Juggling by which the city of New York was
deprived of rights of eminent domain which
IL formerly possessed. and in this matter
made inferior to the Ramapo company. Both
of these measures passed by Senators
and Assemblymen majority of whom, accord
ing to Mr.. Joseph II. Choate, were the absolute
property of Mr Plat. The Ramapo company
received this favor through the agency of Mr..
Platt's family law firm. members of which had
a part IN promoting them both. Now another
legislature also absolutely controlled by Mr.
Platt stubbornly refuses TO restore TO New York
City the rights it formerly possessed and put it
Oh terms of equality with Mr.. LauteIbach's and
young Mr. Platts clients Mr. Lauterbach il
will be remembered, wanted Tamnlany Mayor
rather than a non-partisan Mayor and with Mr..
PIatt's help secured one. Then he negotiated a
contract with this Tammany government Of his
choosing. and now Mr.. Plat, through Messrs.
Nixon, Aids. Kelsey, Stranahan, Humphrey,
Higgins and their fellow servants. is keeping
New-York City in a corner where II confronted
by shortage of water. il must accept Mr.. Lau-
terbach's contract or go thirsty.
This is the simple outline OF the Ramapo mat
ter. Mr.. Nixon may say that the organization"
won't stand for the Morgan bill. but he dare not
discuss the Platt relationship 10 it. Mr.. Strana-
han may say NewYork lis asking too much, -
bat he dare not specifically defend the turning Of
the Legislature into an engine Of private specu-
larion. and he dare not take mp item by item
the history of the Ramapo company and the law
making In its behalf Not one OF the members
who are lodging and making hollow excuses on
this subject dares get up and deliver a speech in
either house frankly discussing the connection
of Mr. Nixon Mr.. Lauterbach and Mr. Platt's
law firm with the Ramapo company and the re
markabIe harmony of the Platt and Croker
organizations concerning IT, There is not one Of