The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-27
The PIatt-odeu Lesson.


The PIatt-OdeIl Lesson.
We may readily suppose that the spec
tacle in New York, presented in the tell
ing defeat of political bossism in the per-
son of Thomas c. Plat at the hands of
Governor OdelI, has not been lost upon
President Mckinley. 1t is one well
worthy of his earnest observation and
study. 1t is the spectacle that everybody
who knew Theodore Roosevelt confidently
expected when that strenuous public man
was elected to preside over the destinies
of the Empire State, but which never ma
terialized during the Rough Riders term
at Albany. In those days Roosevelt had
his say and Platt mad his way.
1t was reserved for the quiet, silent
man of Ncwburg to declare the independ-
ence of the executive of despotic control
by the party leader, and to humble that
leader in the dust. The circumstances
which led up to this denouement may be
very briefly narrated. When Mr.. Plat
caused his hitherto obedient retainer, Mr..
Odell, to be nominated for the governor
ship. the latter agreed with his chief that
New York City needed a new police law,
and he promised to promote the enact
sage to the Legislature Governor Oleu
recommended single-headed police de-
partmen. for the metropolis. One was
introduced and passed. and from the
viewpoint of its authors and advocates it
proved a dismal mistake and failure.
Upon this both Governor Odell and Sena-
tor Plat were I'm complete agreement.
Nevertheless, the former had redeemed
his pledge and had done all he had prom
Used; and he was justified in feeling that,
concerning future police legislation, he
WAS free to act as his judgment and his
view of the public interest might dictate.
Mr.. Plat. however, was not only dis
gusted with his single-headed offspring.
hut straightway determined that he would
force from the Legislature and the Gov
crncr a law which would place the metro
politsn district under either a State con-
stabulary, or police force appointed and
differed from the State at large. and gov
erned under his own direction from AL
bany. Governor Odell refused to further
such a scheme, siding with number of
Republican representatives, of the smaller
cities in their objection that, if New York I
could be thus deprived of home rule their
own towns might suffer the same fate
should their municipal governments
chance TO earn the i'll will of the aIl-pow-
erful boss. So Senator Plat was notified /
that neither of his pet measures" could
pass the Legislature. and that. supposing
one OF them did. it would be promptly
vetoed. In this decision. which Mr.. OdeII
announced as irrevocable, he was sup
ported by so many of the party magnates
hot he
more ado.
The shouts Of applause and congratu-
lation which have sounded for Governor
odell all over his State, and indeed. all
over the country. for his fearless defence
of his rights and his determination not
to permit his office to become a slot ma
chine for the benefit Of the Platt dynasty
ought to be sufficient to show the ma
tional popularity of such action as his.
He did not force the fight. but faced ii
and won when it was forced on him The
american people of all classes and condi-
tions are thanking him for Selling his
first chance To land staggering blow on !
the head of bossism.
Now, If fearlessness and Dersistency in
the discharge of a high duty in such a
limited field as a single
Commonwealth is hailed with hearty JOY
and acclamations from end to end OF the
whole country. what might we not ex-
pect We're similar exhibition given in
the greater theatre of national and in
ternational eI ents? Governor OdeIIs
course in refusing to be swerved from the
path OF duty by the dictation of Platt,
contrasted with that of the President in
the matter of the Porto Rican legislation,
will be thought of by millions Of Ameri- |
cans with deep regret that Mr.. Mckinley
did not avail himself Of his opportunity
To throw Off the yoke Of Hanna bossism,
and thereby win the undying respect and
admiration Of his fellow countrymen and |
all of them.
1t was a great chance, The nation |
heartily agreed with its Chief Magistrate |
when he sclemnly admonished Congress, |
in his message Of December, 1899. that it !
was our plain duty to Porto Rico to re- |
move all tariff barriers and to admit her |
products free Of duty to our mainland |
PORTS. a few weeks later. when the |
trusts and monopolies had swooped down |
upon Washington and dealt with Mr.. |
Hanna, and Mr. Mckinley was compelled |
to eat his words. and favor unconstitu- |
tional oppression where he had recon- |
mended justice and the fulhIlment of our |
national word of honor, the applause was !
not so great.
Thus passed the golden time for the
President to cut the Cordian knot and |
make himself universally loved and ia
nous. Perhaps he might have done so !
il there had been before his mind such |
"A noble and inspiriting example as that
Of Governor Odcll. Possibly he may |
yet profit By il. In his case it is not too
late to mend and what a glorious thing |
it would be for him and the country if he
could satisfy the people that for the re-
Of his second term he would be
as free and independent Of Hanna and
the designs, projects and influences |
Hanna stands for. as Odell is Of Plat
The Cant of Deradcnce.
The New York Tribune" very srnsibly
the canting talk of certain de-
.adsnt AM hors and critics ,ap.rJ ,t,a |