The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1903-02-10
pl.u a Pi,iful Wreck.


washington. Feo. s.-Foreign tour
lists who lament the absence Of ruins
m this country have missed the sen
ate. There they might see any day
the crumbllng remains Of some cele.
hrated statesman. Plat Of New York
feebly totters in like an t'd man in
play. Vest OF Missouri Is almost car
ried to his seat by an attendant and
falls back helplessly IN the cushioned
chair. Hawley Of Connecticut. who
has been long absent. steadied himself
BY means Of the desks and dragged
his way with painful effort TO his seat.
when he was able 20 attend
Plat was the first Of the great 20
IitioaI managers in recent years 70
come 10 the senate 'ay fii likewise
and. finally. Hanna aade similar use
Of his power Plat was elected in
January. 1851. and. with Conkling.
resigned In May Of the same year.
when they had the row over federal
patronage with President Garfield He
returned In 1891 and was reelected a
few days ago. The honor came 20
him. however. IN recognition Of past
services and not because be was able
20 command the assembly His pow
CT Is broken and the reins are In other
hands. Hanna begain Platts downfall
when be managed the nomination Of
Mckinley In 1896. despite the oppo-
sition Of the New Yorker. Quay and
other Eastern leaders. Roosevelt
made further inroads when be was
elected governor Of the state. Plat
did not want the rough rider as a
candidate. but the sentiment was over.
whelm.ng and he was forced TO yield
Thc1 came Roosevelt's elevation 10
the presidency. which brought into
power New York Republicans who had
always been opposed 10 the senator.
Meantime. Governor Odell. who had
long been Platts chief lieutenant.
gradually assumed control Of the ma.
chine He used II in the interest Of
Pla;t and the latter probably thought
II still belonged 20 him. a few months
ago there was a clash and the old
man found that he had been put aside.
II was at the last state convention
when Plat sought to force a candidate
named Sheldon on the ticket as lieut.
enant governor. Odell protested. Platt
insisted and the governor dehed him.
Platt conferred with the leaders in
the convention and found they would
not support him. They had deserted
his standard and gone over to Odell.
His mastery was at an end. He was
still an eminent Republican, OF con.
siderable influence. but he was no
longer boss.
Loss OF political power has been
attended with and may have been
caused in large measure by IN health.
Frail and weak, he presents an almost
pathetic sight In going to his seat
ne walks 50 slowly that he seems
scarcely 20 move. When he gets 10
his place he carefully edges around
In front Of his chair and sinks In
IT, There is no bending of the knees.
but he drops as though in a state Of
collapse
Platt has the reputation OF being a
very rich man. but his friends say
that It is not the case. He is com.
fortably provided for. but can not be
counted a wealthy man as fortunes 20
In these days. He has made much
money, but has invested the bulk OF
II In politics. When his lleutenants
were In need he was generous TO them.
When campaign fluids were depleted
he supplied the money necessary for
the work TO be done He has accom-.
plished great things in business and
politics aGd has been power in the
land. but the story OF his achievements
Is at an end.