New-York tribune., 1902-10-17
LAUGHAT COLER'S RETREAT
REPUBLICAN LEADERS CALL COAL
PLANK REPUTATION a HILL
PETTY TRICK.

With the coal strike settled the only cloud on the
Republican horizon and the only political asset OF
the Democrats has disappeared. Republican head
quarters a cheerful and lively place yesterday
The fact that Bird S. Coler, the Democratic candt-
date for Governor, repudiated Mr.. Hills plank in
the State platform calling for government owner
ship Of coal mines indicated the way the Democrats
were veering around and how fruttess had been
the attempt to capitalize for campaign purposes
the passions and prejudice of a moment.
The repudiation OF the government ownership Of
coal mines plank was regarded by the Republicans
as one OF Hills petty tricks When passions ran
high and the coal strike factor. Hill juggled
into the platform a plank 10 appeal to those who
were exercised over the coal situation. With the
strike settled and conditions returning to normal
Nr Hin realizes that his appeal has fallen 10 the
ground So ne orders his candidate 20 repudiate
the plank and Coler obeys. The Republicans were
lal.;hng heartily yesterday at the discontinue OF
Hin and the frantic struggle Of Coler 10 get out
from under the falling debris and disentangie him
self from the coal hasco.
Senator Platt was much amused "Coler Is
great straddler" said the Senator Il have always
sald So think the people begin to realize
the fact. He Is getting out from under
What about his plea for tariff revision?"
We'll, better late than never 1 suppose that
was an afterthought II was rather late TO dig
IN an issue. but the Democrats had 10 have some
'"'"s THE OUTLOOK bright.
The outlook is most satlsfac;ory,' said the Sena-
tor commenting the general situation we are
intact and r,ady TO make great oarpaign, and
have no doubt that the whole hcAe' WI" 'e
elected by a good majority
Cororel Dunn chairman OF the State Committee.
said. "Coler seems 20 be dodsins from the coal
ISSUE now Well. the strike IS settled IL was
,ser much OF an issue. anyhow but II Is over ana
We are going 10 work in earnest To be sure tne
-,,,o ensrossed public attention as against every
tttr, Else but with this eliminated the people
nave only to study the situation. ana there Is MUM
ing more TO be sal1 ,,,,
PL.-t g. Norris president OF the Republican
- committee said: "CoIer's lodging and re-
rlTi,tton of the coal plank in the platform indl-
cate plainly what people who are taiI',N'' VIZ
hts character have always realized that he Il N'i
tarla The Democrats have lost their issue Ihey
have nothing left to make canpd4sn uP'" ""N
we will gain in strength every day.
rt.,,eran- Governor Woodruff said;
l,o,e-,s nosltion on the Democratic coal plank
reminds me OF man trying 20 PiaS pt!issad pig his
VIII Win inTobably that the coal strike was as good
a. settled, what did ne DO puL oS ne ,b coal
ni1es His uosit!on is meant 10 please everyoouS'
and the chances are that ne VII plSSe 20 sns
IN t ~ settiemeut OF labor disputes by arbitration,
when @ mas pot advoCatt socialism as substitute
for the American system OF protecting the inG-
self The sociaIstic plank in the Democratic plat
form would mean reEoiutoh IN te So1eiIiithc s w
United States which was made TO protect indl-
Vtdual rights II not clear YET WHttt M Npcl
stands but he is evidently frightened by the fear
that socialism is not popular cause in this coun-
try, and vet he wants the votes OF the socialists
The platform itself ought to be higher Democratic
authority than Coler however
The coal strike as Colonel Dunn says has to
large extent engrossed public attention recently,
but at Headquarters in the Fifth Avenue Hotel and
at county headquarters yesterday there were
manifold signs Of renewed interest in the campaign
and revived activity In Republican circles The
speakers bureau is a busy place. Hundreds of
campaign Of eIoauence. Many big meetings have
been arranged for Halls have been hired in every
district I'm the city for every night from now until
Election Day. and hundreds of meetings will he
held Governor Ode's speaking engagements have
already been given in The Tribune. He will after
speaking places up the State return TO this city
on October go and on the night OF that day will
address at least three big meetings.
REASSURING REPORTS.
The reports from up the State OF the most
reassurng character. 1t has been asserted that
the party is split wide apart in Erie County. and
that disaffecton exists in other parts of the State
These reports have been greatly magnihed. There
has never been n time when the party has been
so thoroughly organized harmonious as 1t is
just at present People who have devoted all their
thought to the coal strike recently now giving
the campaign attention, and this is shown in the
increased activity In Republican circles. From now
until Election Day the campaign will be MAIN
talned at high pressure