Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-24

Connecticut will be one of the decisive
states this year in the presidential battle.
The democratic campaign managers are
seeking to wrest 1t from republican control,
and the republicans are striving to hold the
advantage that they now possess. Since
the civil war the state has gone democratic
four times. 1t gave its electoral vote to
Tilden, and it gave Cleveland a majority
In each of his three campaigns.
In total woe of about 10000 there is
all apparently normal republican majority
of about 1900 to be overcome by the demo-
Gratis, if they to count the seven cleo
toral votes of the state in their column
this year. Public sentiment in the nutmeg
state usually follows the lines that decide
results in New York and New Jersey. and
1t Is this fact that makes it fighting ground
in the contest this year
T.. Z. benedict, who is probably ex-Presi-
dent CleVeland's most intimate friend is
in general charge of the democratic forces
in Connecticut. Mr.. Benedict is a pronounce
ed gold man, while his chief assistant
Homer S. Cummings, achieved his reputa-
ton as daShing leader of the BRYAN forces
in the hopeless campaigns of 1896 and 1890
On the republican side the supreme author
1ty Is the veteran campaigner, Senator Or
Vile ii. Platt. His chief lieutenant is Will
liam L. BROKER, who, like Mr.. Cummings
represents his party as member of its
national committee. Mr. Cummings is also
member of the republican national execu-
tive committee.
Mr.. BROKER four years ago succeeded in
the republican national committee Samuel
Fessenden, the man who, when Joseph H.
Manley of Maine, as the manager of the
Reed forces at ST Louis in 1896, predicted
McKinleys nomination before the delegates
arrived from New England, said: Joe, God
Almighty hates a gutter" Mr.. Fessenden
is still as active in politics and as pictur-
esque in manner ever, but the functions
of leadership have passed to Senator Platt
and Mr.. BROKER.
Orville H Plat.
Senator Plat is built on Lincoln lines
He is very tall. very angular. He is
seventy-seven years old and straight as a
ramrod He is one of the plain people. and
his entire appearance, dress. manner
speech and facial characteristics suggest
hCmespun. He is very gentle, very con-
sderate and cannot dissemble
During the early days of President Roose-
velts accession to the presidency, before
the new President had struck "a steady
gait senators and representatives COM
planned that the President kept them wait.
ing for an audience too long. One day
Senator Scott. after waiting long time
seized his hat and rushed from the White
House, saying things under his breat h.
Senator Plat, seeing that mistake had
been made. talked to the President in
fatherly way. He expressed the opinion
that Mr.. Roosevelt might be unconsciously
weakening his influence with Congress
Il know it, said the President, and III
try to do better: but you see, senator 1t il
impossible for me to make myself over
That may be true" replied the tail SEN
ator from Connecticut. and 1T is .mpos
sible for US to make over members of Con-
gresS."
President Roosevelt one day appointe
Senator Platt's to a federal judgeship,
and there was a great outcry on the part
OF the independent press. which said ina:
the appointment was made because Senator
Platt was supporting Cuban reciprocity
The man whom / appointed is well quail
fed said the President, land Senator
Platt is one of the whitest old men that
ever lived"
Senator Platt has been in the Senate for
twenty-five years. When he was elected
to succeed Orrin 8. Ferry he gave up the
practice of law and devoted all his time to
his duties as senator. For a quarter of
century he has had no income except his
5000 year salary. He is fond of young
men, Is one of the idols of the newspaper
correspondents in Washington, and is one
of the seven or eight men in the Senate
who have acquired such an influence that
they have been termed 1.-The executive COM
mttee of the board of managers of the
United States"
Years ago he favored lower tariff and
boldly said New England did not then need
such high duties. He was an advocate of
public executive sessions of the Senate and
she wed that the secret session was a mock
cry, because the newspapers published
everything said and done at it. He took the
lead in advocating the right of the United
States to hold tie Philippines. He was the
author of the famous PLAT amendment"