The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-04-07

New YORK, April AT midnight
tonight the Fifth Avenue Hotel. one
of the most famous hostelries Of the
city ended-its existence OF half CEN
tury but not until the old timers had
once more sat upon the plush cover
ed seat in the amen corner and once
more breathed an acquiescent amen
to the words of the easy boss"
whose political plans, there promul-
gated, gaze the spot world renOun.
IN the Old days Tom Platt W6s secre-
tive. Tonight he confessed that the
amen corner had made and unmade
presidents. Chauncey Depew spoke
with caution when part o. the in
ner circle in days gone by. Tonight
he fairly hoasted that he had known
governors, who thought they did
things from the executive chamber,
bat they were done from the amen
corner"
It was a Jolly, half sorrowful party
that gathered to bid the old pace
good bye
After forty-nine years Of life as
hotel, during half OF which time it
served as the headquarters OF the re-
publican party Of the state, the house
is to be torn away to make room for
a monster office building.
Brought 10 the entrance in wheel
chair and further assisted by friend
On either side, Senator Plat tottered
to the amen corner and again heard
the shouts of "Platt! Platt! Platt!"
The aged senator was affected but
managed to speak for some moments
to the crowd that surged about him
which was kept from pressing too
hJ
a Gordon Of police.
Senator Plat said in part:
ANY effort, the very slightest, to
express what l feel at the thought
of the removal of the historic land
Of thirty-three years would compel
me to take my seat in silence, so |
must avoid that subject and assume
cheerfulness which I have not got.
This noble edifce, in it's day one Of
the most imposing in our city, even
now in it's majestic simplicity is good
to look at. The Fifth Avenue Ho-
tel has entertained it's day a larg-
er number of the great of the earth,
whose plans for social and CONNER
ciai enterprises and improvements
were here matured and executed than
has any other house in America, but
perhaps it's chief fame will remain
in it's long association with the re-
publican party. The sentiment born
of the large experience and consid-
cradle judgment of the popular lead
ers who composed the republican or
ganization and who habitually as
sembled here, and from here dis
persed throughout the state with a
common purpose and an harmonious
understanding has made and unmade
presidents and governors; has deter
mined party platforms and policies
both in the state and nation and has
exercised a controlling influence upon
affairs for a period Of time with
which the republican party achieved
it's greatest successes and the people
of the state their largest measure Of
prosperity. That is a glory which
will be associated with the spot for
many years to come"
Then there were cries for "Chaun-
cey" and Senator DepeW stepped upon
the hiEtorictl bench: Il have sat on
this bench on and of for forty years:
have heard many great questions
/ discussed as to what was the capital,
and the capital has always been
found in this corner | saw Blaine,
Corkling, Grant and Arthur sit here
have seen this corner filled with
men in uniforms; but at other time S
by men who wanted to be decorated
with uniforms | do not believe there
ever will be a spot in the state or
country where so much OF influence
and power will go out to make for
history as the amen corner.