The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-11-28

or creating party ruction. The pub
lished intention of the president to droI
Collector George r. Bidwell and put
State Senator Nevada n. Stranahan in
his place is at least received in New
York Republican circles with no mark
ed demonstrations of disapproval and
the two senators are not likely to OPP
pose confirmation in the senate. The
displacement of Bidwell foreshadows
! that also of Wilbur f. Wakeman, APP
praiser, who is not agreeable to Secre-
tary Gage, and whose removal would
also compensate Senator Platt in meas
ure for any disappointment he may feel
over the removal of the collector.
The reasons for the presidents action
in Bidwell's case are not given. We
should like to believe that it was direct
ly due to the collectors offensive par
tisanship' in the federal politics of New
York city-so offensive TO men Of ais
own party that very strong case
against him of unfair or corrupt manip-
ulation in the matter Of congressional
nomination in the 14th New York dis
trict was made up by Republicans, and
presented to President Mckinley who
however after urging the complainants
to keep the matter quiet until after the
presidential election Of 1900, later re-
warded Bidwell with a reappointment
instead Of removing or displaCing him,
as requested But it appears to grow
ont of deadlock of antagonism, in
which Wakeman and Bidwell both fig
ure-the supporters Of the former being
arrayed against the latter, and the re-
moval Of both being required to appease
the feelings Of either party. Still Mr..
prompt and decided action
in Bidwcll's case has spread among the
politicians Il fear that federal ottice-hold-
ers who are active as partisan leaders
need to look ont.
The displacement of the collector
against Senator Platt's opposition with
no promise that he can or will make |
trouble about it, marks another long |
step in the decline of the power Of the |
New York boss. His influence j. no
longer paramount in the Republican, pol
tics Of the state 1t received a crushing |
blow from GOV Odel last winter. 1t |
was openly houted in the fusion cam
)aign Of two weeks ago, with no other |
Effect than to advance the fusion
strength. and the accession of Roosevelt |
% the presidency and Low to New York
nayoraty bring into power influences
md dispositions quite against those of
hose of the boss.
The president was cautious enough |
o tell Platt of his intentions as to Bid
we'll beforehand thus keeping his ac-
ion clear Of the sting which especially |
attached to President Gartield's substi-
utiOn of William II Robertson for
zen Il. A. Merritt in the New York
made public without any
previous knowledge Of Senators Conk-
ing and Platt And President Roose
,elt substitutes man not personally
to the senators, while Pres
dent Garfield pursued the contrary
curse and 80 brought on the clash of
actions which gave New York state to
he Democrats in 1882 by nearly 200, 900
plurality, and cost the Republicans the
presidency in 1884. But if the presi.
lent had been less tenderly considerate
# Platts feelings it is doubtful if the
after could make effective war on the
His day of premier
hip in the Republican politics Of the
empire state il over.