Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-19
FOUGHT LAST BATTLE
New York's Conventions Have
Significant Incidents.
PLATT ANDHILL RETIRE
DEMOCRATS IN A SEA OF TR0U.
BILE OVER GovERNoRsHIP.
Remarkable Opposition to Jerome's
Candidacy-Hin to Keep Fatherly
Eye on the Machine.
Special From a Staff Correspondent.


SARATOGA, N. Y, September 1S.-These
two conventions will be notable in respect
that they will mark the retirement from
active politics of two of the greatest politi-
cal leaders the empire state has known in
generations, Thomas Collier Platt and
David Bennett HILL Both will have sung
their swan songs and turned their leader
ship into other hands when the gavel falls
here next Wednesday.
For one of them, at least, the retirement
was compulsory, forced by the ambitious
aggression of a younger man. Mr.. Hill re-
tires voluntarily January 1.
Mr.. P1att fought his last political battle
last week. There is nothing left for him
save the adfeus and tender memories of a
small contingent, the faithful old guard
and the Indifference of the rank and file
Who months ago, turned to worship the
rising sun.
Mr.. Hill, undisputed leader. of the ma
chine democracy, will make his last fac
tonal fight in the convention which as
sembles Tuesday. The picket lines of the
skirmishers advancing and the main body
rapidly forming in battle array.
Hills Effort for Harmony.
One of Mr.. Hills notable acts in this
last campaign, is an effort In the direction
that the machine he has built I'D with
such care and patience shall be tight and
effective. His selection of William r Horn
blower to be temporary chairman of tho
convention was a great concession to har-
mony. Mr.. Hornblower has been his on.
pohent 1or years. Mr.. Hill perhaps thinks
ne can afford to be generous howeyer fnr
ne has had the best OF his enemy nm tn this
tlIne. II Will be remembered that he de-
Ieated Mr.. Hornblower's Confirmation when
aresident Cleveland nominated him to be
OF the United States oo0i
Inc coming convention promises to he an
open struggle for the governorship. Either
Mr. Hlll or Judge Parker could name the
man and the convention would take hin,
Up to this moment neither has consented ~
oictate the nominee, although both have
several preferences, from among which
they would like to see a candidate chosen.
objections to Proposed Candidates.
Inc democrats are in sea of trouble over
thelr selection. Nearly every man whose
name has been mentioned thus far has
aroused objection from one or more infiuen-
tlal sources in the democratic party.
There is Mr.. Lamont. OF him 1t is OBJ
Jected by some that he could not be the
candidate of party that proposes to make
strong fight against trusts, this Mr. La
mont being associated with half dozen of
the greatest corporations in the state
There is Mr.. Stanchfield whom Mr.. Hill
afectfonately refers to as my boy" Well.
Mr. Stanchfield already has been denounced
by the New York World, whose support of
the ticket is deemed essential as a lobbyist
and corruptionist. Mr. StanchfieId further
more, may meet the opposition of the labor
unions; Tor ne made speech once in which
he declared that he had son growing up
and he would rather see him in his grave
than member of labor union.
Tammany's Opposition.
There is Mr.. Grout. Well, Tammany Hall
won't have Mr.. Grout because of feud
growing out of the last mayoralty election.
There is Mr.. Edward NJ. Shepard They
urge against him the fact that he voted
against Bryan and did not even support
Mcclellan They say the Bryan vote in the
state, sufficient in itself to swing an cleo
tion, may go to the populists if Mr.. Shepard
is nominated.
a dozen names. But the most remarkab BILE
of all is the opposition to Mr.. Jerome. 1t
seems is if the objectors are Catching him
coming and going" To be explicit: The
Germans of Manhattan are against him be-
cause he enforced the excise law in New
York, as district attorney. Now, Mr.. Jerome
did not enforce it because he objected to
the individuals liberty to take drink,
but to make drinking easier although to be
carried on within the law. He favored open
saloons on Sunday, and the abolishment of
the back door habit.
For this attitude on Sunday opening he
will be opposed by the upstate church peo-
pie. In other words, he has antagonized
both elements on the liquor question, it be-
ing his habit to act according to his judg-
ment without regard to political conse-
quences.
Young Men Want Jerome.
The demand for Mr.. Jerome comes from
those in the state who think there is capi-
tai to be made out of the exposure of the
alleged maladministration of Governor
OdeH. There is also a call for him by the
young men.
The young voters who admire Roosevelt
see in Jerome something of Roosevelt's
characteristics, and it is claimed that Je-
rome would get their votes for governor,
although the opposing ticket might receive
ing politicians are puzzled. They say they
will have to meet here and talk it over,
Weighing all the advantages and disadvan-
tages presented by the candidacy of each
man and then threSh out a candidate and
stand by him.
Mr.. Stanchield is the only man who has
been gathering in delegates, except Grout.
The latter has the sixty-three delegates of
Kings county. Mr.. Stanchfield has been
busy for months, and no one knows how
many pledges he has secured, but he is
thought to have rounded up a number.
Mr.. Stanchfield and Mr.. Shepard both
not want it, and Mr.. Jerome does not care.
He sent word to Mr.. Hill that he would
take the nomination but would make no
promises and would not pledge himself to
any course dictated by Mr.. Hill. The COM
ment of Mr.. Hill on Jerome's candidacy is
''he would break up the democratic organf-
zation in this state" Although about to
retire from politics, Mr.. Hill would still
keep a fatherly eye on the machine.
Choice Left to Parker and Hill.
The choice of the gubernatorial candi-
date will eventually be passed up to
Judge Parker and Mr.. Hill, from present
indications. There are SO many prospect
i've candidates and the different factions
are so wide apart that it now looks as If
Mr.. Hill and the Judge will of necessity
have to bring them together upon one
man.
The three leaders today are Grout.
Stanchfeld and Jerome. Stanchfield for
the moment is at the head of the list Mr..
Hill arrived shortly before noon. He has
two dark horses in the field, one of whom
is Fred Cook, a wealthy broker OF Roch-
ester. Now, here in the space of half a