The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-07
PLATTSAYS, CONFER NOW
UOPESREPIB LTCANS WON'T MEET
rT. CONFEREES ON MONDAY.
It's TOO Early. lie Says. and. Besides, 4
c.Per.Cent. Tail Is Too Small to
Wag the Dog-He's Not Commit eli
10 LOw--Ridder. Too, Says It's Too
Early, and Talks Of Low.Odeii Ticket
Making - Re JOinder From Thomas
A. Fulton, Citizens Union Secretary

Senator Plat stirred up the animals
hereabouts, yesterday, when he made it
clear that he was opposed to the proposed
conference of the Citizens Union people,
next Monday night. for the purpose of
lining up the anti-Tammany forces for the
municipal campaign next fall. Senator
Platt said:
Il am unalterably opposed to holding a
fusion conference next Monday night us
propo sed by the committee Of the Citizens
Union, and if have any influence in the
Republican organization our party will not
lie represented at the meeting. I hope
hat other political organizations will stay
away also.
1T is altogether too early" continued
Senator Platt. "to begin campaigning.
No good can come from it. 1t is ridiculous
TO attempt to line up political forces at this
time. The Citizens Union is only per
sent Of the anti-Tammany forces, and the
idea of its attempting to throw the whole
body polite into turmoil is absurd. Politi-
cal parties ought not to be dictated to by a
handful Of men in an independent organza-
ton, and the Citizens Union effort to stir
up hot-weather politics is ill-advsed and
absurd.
we ought not" continued Mr. Platt,
"to permit these men to plunge us into the
heat Of political campaign before the
summer has really set in and keep us ag-
lated all through the hot spell"
Then the Republican organization will
not be represented at the conference"
Il did not say that replied Senator
Platt. President Morris and his friends
In the county organization will determine
that matter for themselves.
Another point would like to clear up"
concluded Senator Patt 1T has been
printed in some Of the newspapers that
am committed to the denomination of
Mayor Low. That statement is erroneous,
but l never thought it necessary to deny
it. am committed to no man. OF course.
Brother Fred Gibbs announced short
time ago that he and others, and possibly
myself we're shouting hard for the renomi-
nation Of Mr.. Low. 1t may be true, so far
as Mr., Gibbs is concerned. but am not
committed to Mr.. Low or Mr.. Anybody"
1t was said by officers of the Republican
County Committee that meeting would
be called this week to consider the invita-
ton of the Citizens Union, and that in
all probability delegation would be sent
to the fusion conference next Monday,
but that the delegates there would show
their conviction that 1t was too early to
Herman Ridder said: II don't see the
NECESSITY ui for s5rdnging the campaign out
prehension about my statement few days
ago. did not say that the German Ameri-
can Reform Union would not support Low
pointed out his weakness as a candidate.
at would seem to be the idea that Low
and Gov. Odell should make the fusion
ticket and their joint work should be forced
on us now to support next November Our
organization is Democratic. and we want
fusion with some Democratic percentage
in it.
I'VE don't relish the idea OF Gov Odell
coming to New York and planning with the
Mayor for a ticket made in their inter-
est. The German American Reform Union
doesn't propose to help build up the Odel
machine.
THE Citizens Union people are crying
out that we are place hunters That's
very much like the man crying Stop thief
when he's got the stolen article in his own
pocket, We got only four places under the
fusion administration, Bridge Commits Toner
l.indenthal. deputy Commissioner of Pub
lie Works. man in the Comptroler's Office
and one in the Sheriffs office.
THE Republican organization didn't get
much, and outside Of what President Can
tor brought to them the Greater New York
Democracy didn't get great deal. All
the places went to the Citizens Union.
Half the representation OF the Citizens
Union convention at Cooper Union was
made up of officeholders
There's no need for hurry that can see
Our organization isn't disposed to rush
into a May nomination for November
election"
John C. Sheehan said: whether the
Greater New York Democracy will be rep
resented at the conference will be decided
by the executive committee at its meeting
tonight. Whatever it may do about that
it is ertain that the organizat ion will be
with fusion in the coming campaign
The convention or mass meeting Of the
Citizens Union to bring about the fusion
movement two years ago was held in Cooper
Union on April 1s. 1901, and the first con-
ference Of the fusion forces looking toward
The selection OF candidates was held on
Secretary Thomas A. Fulton Of the Citi-
zens' Union issued the following statement
last night,
i Senator, Platt is correctly reported, the
only rational explanation i that he has not
of the several Republican County Committees
md other organizations. That you may
nit the form Of invitation extern ded to those
gentlemen:
Following the precedent, Of two years
ago. the time has now arrived for taking pre-
pois Of the success attained by fusion IN
conrbut sa'H 1S his end the % ctzsns
Jninn invites Won to send delegation
70 meet like delegates from the Citizens
Union and other organizations at the mead
Quarters Of the union. 81 Union Square East.
m III" evening Of Nav II, at o'clock. for the
rnrpose Of comforting with reference 70
ran If action and the ultimate nomination
Of city ticket for the coming campaign.
While no one will quest ion the range Of the
senator's political experience IL should be
r"mn!mhered that in calling the conference
~ this time the Citizens lnion Is only repeht-
inr its programme of two years ago. which
i"d M TO the successful campaign OF 1901;
and II is only human to have an affection ,inr
successful presidents, in fact. the public
Irefer methods which have proved success
M rather than new experiments II u does
cad as Senator Plat SUGGESTS, to keep
alive for the summer lot OF political aHlta-
'Iou, the Citizens Union would not regard II
az an unUitgated misfortune. Tor the aneinV
Of citizens between elections Is perhaps me
nns' fruitful source OF corruption ana his
toVernment
Nobody would be pledged by this con-
ference it simply creates q body which can
b" called toe ether at any time should rner-
"ncv arise: and is only the preparation OF
l'e necessary machinery. and when The con-
i"i"os nre called together in the fall we
nav" III" result of the sober second thought
.' ich /, so necessary in politiCa! chnpairns
"" ar" WORKING and plhnnint Tor fusion
NJ mot confusion, which ni ;ht arise IL plans
"er" left TOO hate. better hr three months
'" onrl" than hree DAYS too iht" -
lore is no disposition on the part ri me
II Committee Of the Citizens | Mon or OF
- NccIiive Committee TO dictate TO other
49, tniZations or to run thlnEs 10 SUIT Vieh,.
solves Ind I am sure II will not he our iauit
n Ne fusion movement iiil- our people