Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-06
NOT TO |NDORSE HIM
Mr.. Platt's Announcement as
to the President.
A CHANGE OF MIND
FIVE WEEKS AGO THE SENATOR
THOUGHT DIFFERENTLY.
MI. Roosevelt's Utterances on Trusts
Have Been the Cause-More
Punishment May Come.

| Special From a Staff Correspondent.
! NEW YORK, September 6.-The principal
| topic of discussion in republican political
| and in business circles is the contest be-
| tween the republican managers and Presi-
dent Roosevelt on the subject of trusts and
the Endorsement of the President for renom-
ination. 1t will be a burning question un-
til September %, when the state convention
will be held at Saratoga.
Before that date the President will be
called upon to decide whether he desires
the convention to formally indorse him, or
whether to content itself with indorse
ment of his administration. If he decides
for personal Endorsement for denomination
there will be lovely scrap.
AS is well known, Senator Platt announc-
ed last Monday that it was not the purpose
of the republican convention to indorse the
President for denomination; Furthermore,
that the convention would not follow him
on the question of trusts. Senator Platt
being the acknowledged head of the ma
chine in this state and in perfect control of
the situation. it was accepted a matter
of course that the program had been agreed
upon and would be carried out.
In private conversation, Senator Patts
| lieutenants say that the decision to with
hold personal Endorsement was rational
one and in fact the only logical thing to
do. 1t is claimed that this convention can
not bind a subsequent convention and that
the delegates this year have no right to
pledge the delegates of the succeeding con-
Yentions TO particular course.
A Disingenuous Argument.
This argument is disingenuous, of course,
as several states, notably Pennsylvania,
which is run by Senator Platt's side part
ner, Senator Quay, have Endorsed the
President for denomination. That was done
by the delegates to the current convention
expressing 1t their opinion that the Presi-
dent should be renominated. That was ali
that was done, all that could be done, and
all that is desired probably, by the Presi-
dents friends.
II is well understood, of course that Sen
ator Platts pronunciamento had two OBJ
jects-primarily, TO serve notice on the
President that he must be more conserva-
tive in his attacks on the trusts, and, next,
to hold the game open for Gov. OdeI in
case it should be desired to present him as
New York's choice for the presidency.
Senator Platt is perhaps the. most astute
political leader in the United States. He
has not the audacity and aggressiveness of
Senator Quay, but he makes it up in sa
piency. Senator Quay will tackle a fOrlorn
hope, go at an adverse situation and bowl
his way through it, riding down his adver-
saries by main force. Senator Platt will
countermine his political problem, honey
comb it until the first thing the opposition
know they are standing over mine, with
Senator Platt holding the fuse
Senator Platt, 1t is said in New York, is
looking a long ways ahead. He is not GER
tain whether Mr.. Roosevelt is going to last
whether he will wear well until convention
day in 1904. He would like a few anchors
to windward, or. rather, one anchor for the
present, to wit: Gov. Odell. That is one eX-
planation.
But. the more you look into it. the more
oct ck n truS SEOa-
tor Platt Is the man to whom the business
interests of New York look for political
representation. New England goes to Sen
ator AlGrich. the middle and western states
to Senator Hanna. The business and finan-
cial pulses usually felt through those
gentlemen.
As soon as the business interests got
scared over President Roosevelts New
England speeches they consulted Senator
Platt. Call him OFF, they said. Tell
him We won't stand for it." Well, that
kind OF a message could not well be con-
veyed TO man like Theodore Roosevelt, SO
the pill was disguised with political coat
ing.
Senator Platt's Change.
Four or five weeks ago Senator Platt told
friend of mine that Mr.. Roosevelts in
dorsement by the coming republican state
convention was inevitable. He had no other
thought than that. Something has hap
pened to change mis- mind. Perhaps it was
the result of pressure from ambitious New
York politicians, perhaps it was fear that
the President was going to ALLEVIATE the
business interests by giving the impression
that the republican party proposed to smash
all combinations of capital and industry
Senator Platt's statement of last Monday
brought some quick results. Some repubii-
cans of prominence came to town imme-
diately to look the situation over. They
We're friends of Mr.. Roosevelt and will do
their that harm befallS
his interests if il is possible to avoid it.
One of them said last night that it de-
pended largely upon the Presidents wishes
whether an effort would be made to indorse
him. The President might not desire to
make fight According to this politicians S
! views. ii might in fact rebound to the
Presidents advantage to have his state
ignore him, especially If the impre ssion got
| abroad that the slight was in resentment of
| his utterances against the trust. Or 1t
might be better to pass It over than to run
! the risk of making an issue and being
| beaten. That will all come up later
! But, this gentleman added, If 1t is deemed
| wise to combat the program of the state
leader he was sure that there was stuff
| enough in the men of the convention fer a
| beautiful nght and that the President had
friends enough to wage it.
Stronger Punishment Suggested.
Now, another phase of the situation as
| 1t is reliably represented TO me Is this: That
| If the President continues his talks against
| the trusts it is probable that stronger pun
| ishment will be meted out to him than
merely Withholding Endorsement.
The proposition Is a radical one. So far
| as / know. Senator Platt is not a knowing
| party to 1t. He might subsequently become
| an innoceE. party TO 1t. 1t is this: The sug-
gestion is made that in the convention a
| political opponent of the President shall
! offer resolution unequivocaly indorsing
| him. whereupon all the anti-Roosevelt men
| will rise up in their might and walk over
| that resolution with hob-naiied boots, thus
| accentuating the slight upon the executive
! There is a virulent anti-Roosevelt fac
| ton among New York republicans Their
| strength in numbers L do not know 1t may
| be another case of the man who thought
| the creek was full of frogs from the noise
| made by a few. But where he is opposed
he is well hated. There is no doubt about
| that.