New-York tribune., 1901-08-22
THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

Senator Platt with wisdom and consistency
expresses his disapproval of the Halpin-Ten
Eyck-G Gibbs scheme to supersede Chairman Nor
ris and the existing Republican committees for
anti-Tammany conference There is no reason
10 believe that the dominant forces of the Repub'
lican organization are not heartily devoted 10
an effective anti-Tammauy union on terms sat
isfactory 10 ali reasonable Independents. Since
Mr. Platt first announced himself 10 be in favor
Of the nomination of a Democrat for Mayor,
some months ago, he has maintained that atti-
tude and given no cause 10 anybody 10 question
the good faith OF the organization in meeting
the Citizens Union more than half way. When,
a few weeks ago. Mr.. Qugg made suggestion
which was by some taken TO Tean that the
leaders were preparing 10 recede from their
position and demand that the Citizens Union
should make terms with them as the dominant
partner in any combination Mr.. Platt promptly
denied sympathy with such views Now his
influence is exercised against a movement which
could not fail TO i-1erfere with the present prog
ress toward n union ticket.
Whatever explanation may be given to account
for the Halpin proposition, its acceptance would
have been n stumbling block to union Perhaps
no reflection was intended upon Mr.. Morris
who has the esteem and confidence of the inde-
pendents. Perhaps a few incorrigible mischief
makers who took the lead in dragoOnlng unwill-
ing district leaders 10 support the separate ticket
folly in 1897 are not now following their old
Bourbon tactics. Perhaps some members OF the
city committee were really under the impress
sion that the comparatively small number OF
Republican conferrees robbed the party of due
weight in the making OF nominations. Never
theless. the fact remains that the independents
would have looked upon a sudden change in the
Ravaublipau with auSpipiOO Trbnh ~
was wise TO avoid 1t would have been said
that even if Mr.. Morris remained on the com
mittee the party could not be trusted to cooper
ate faithfully in the policy he agreed to- and
that another influence was in control OF the
city committee and must be reckoned with.
Nor is there any necessity for a large COM
mittee TO outvote other bodies in conference.
The ant-Tammany campaign as it is at present
being arranged has nothing TO do with outvot-
ing anybody except the Tammany rascals. The
business of the conference is to consider meas
ures and men, and when men and measures are
found meeting the situation there is not going
10 be any question Of forcing them upon the
anti-Tammany union by a narrow vote. They
viii be accepted manifestly fitting by com
mon consent after proper discussion. If they
are not they might just well not be accepted
at all; for no success will be attained by a cam
gence as the proper sort of campaign to make
The conference committee is not TO vote for
candidates anyhow, but 10 consider them and
find what the organizations represented can
agree to- For that purpose 1t makes little diff
ference whether five or twenty men represent
an organization, so long as they are strong men.
The Citizens Union. being less compact and rep
resenative Of a single way of thinking and
acting in politics than the old parties, finds it
natural 10 select n large committee 1t is made
up Of many groups which must be kept in
agreement The Republican committees repre-
sent bodies of voters who are practically units
The different counties have different views as
TO nominations made from their localities. and
naturally separate committees for the counties
were chosen. But n few men from each county
committee are perfectly competent 10 speak for
those organizations. and they will have Just as
much influence in determining the conduct of
the anti-Tammany campaign as twice their
number. The present arrangement is eminently
satisfactory, and the determination not 10
change il gives renewed reason to trust that all
parties will be found working effectively 10
eXpel the corrupt rulers of this city from power