The Washington times., 1906-11-16

in the Senate Senator Platt last win
Ter attempted TO discharge both his own
duty and that of Senator repew. but
he was unequal 10 the task. His in1u-
ence in Washington has declined until il
amounts 70 practically nothing.
Senator Platt was still the RepubIica
leader Of the Senate when he had him
self elected TO the Senate. The position
was then Of great value 20 him. because
/ II gave him the right To dictate the Fed
eral appointments credited 20 New,
York. He was then lighting r. b.
Odell, jr., for the leadership. and his Of,
ficial position was valuable asset
Odell wrested the Republican machine
from his control. and when he was at
tackled In his turn ne managed 20 form
an alliance with Senator Platt
Roosevelt Their Leader.
Both men fell together In the Repub-
lican primaries. They were defeated by
the Republicans who look uppn Presl-
dent Roosevelt as the actual party lead
eT In the State. Senator Platt has no
longer any influence in the MANAGEMENT
OF the Republican organization except
ing such as he may be able 10 WELD
through the loyalty OF handful OF old
friends who are mindful OF obligations
, conferred upon them In former years.
There Is no possibility that he will
ever regain his old position as a factor
in the partT-, and, consequently. his seat
In the Senate is useless 10 him for DO
iitiCal purposes.
While there IS little probability that
/ the Republican leaders or the RepubIi-
can majority in the legislature viii de-
inand his retirement there is no doubt
that his resignation would prove q
source OF great relief 10 his party. The
repeated scandalOus episodes 10 which
he has permitted himself 10 become in
VOWED, his feeble condition, and the
virtual retirement OF Senator DepaV
are subJecting the party. IN the opinion
OF the leaders. TO a heavy burden ana
rendering u responsible for the state 8
lack OF representation In the Senate.
Black Probable Successor.
Another consideration that weighs IN
the minds OF the leaders is that the
present Legislature IS Republican IN
both branches. and If Senator Platt
should resign now the Republicans are
IN position to elect his successor and
thereby gain the advantage which youId
result from the election of an active zen
resentative OF the party 10 the Ser,ato
The name of Frank 5. Black = ofter-
est mentioned as the Successor. of So
Htor PIatt II he should make up his
mind H-- Withdrawing to render the lasr
service which, in the opinion OF the Lead
efs. he can render &c the partv which
mas honored him for the greater part OF
Senator Platt had nothing "a saw last
night REGARDING the possibility Of hfs
resignation, and the Republican leaders
VINO are hoping for IL declined TO dis
CUsS II for publication.
Million TO Mrs. PIatt.
Following revelations in the pr{va+.
life OF Senator Thomas c. sPlatt in
which he figures as a frequent caller ar
the home Of Mrs. Mary La Mont u
West ThiTty-eighth street. where h.
was accustomed TO meet women friends
and where his wife found him .D a SEN
sational raid six weeks aFu. IL was
learned that the differences between. tho
Senator and Mrs. Platt were settled
few days ago by the payment OF a con-
siderable lump sum.
Mrs La Mont, who appears to he IA
miliaT with the affairs OF the Senator
and his wife made the statement maj
81, 600 was paid 10 Mrs. Piatt bv the
Senator as the price of discontinuance
of proceedings against him.
She got a million out of him % was
the way Mrs, La Mont put it, but othe-
information, which comes from a source
which ought a. least to be az relia ME is
nearer half the cmcupt she mentioned.
Whatever was the amount or the cash
payment il was established bevond
doubt that the settlement did not in
volve the payment To Mrs. Platt OF $40
600 or OF any other specific amount In
yearly installments. Even If there were
any doubt as to the form in which the
settlement was made the deVelopments
In the ease have made il apparent that
Mrs. Platt is possessed of too much
worldly wisdom TO consent to a com
promise by which she was to receive an
income dependent on the life Of an aged
man in as feeble health as is Senator
Plat.
Mrs. La Monr Willing Talker.
AS to these and other details the lips
Of all concerned in the AFFAIR were seal
ed, except those of the Senator's friend.
Mrs la Mont. For reasons Of her
own Mrs. la Mont early IN the day gave
out her version OF the Senator's visits
10 her house. but later in the day She
too. became silent. and il was said she
had left the city, 10 be absent several
days Investigation confirmed the truth
Of RI AZ ant cha