New-York tribune., 1909-07-15
BINGHAM HIS FAV0RlTE
PLATT ON CITY POLITICS.
Discusses Coming Campaign on ECe
of Serenty-Sirfh Birthday.

Ex-senator Thomas & PIatt will celebrate his
seventy-sixth birthday to-day. He expects I"
spend the day quietly his own flresde-" He is
living a Freeport with Mr.. and Mrs Gustav Abel
in neat lttle cottage with very pleasant out
look 4 few of the Senator's old friends may drop
in TO see him. II they do they will find him cheer
ful and glad 10 chat with them for a few moments
This man. who controlled the Republican party
IN this many years directing its policies
.f-ourl, some irving periods. is last merely a
looler-on. And he says he is glad of 1t: glad 20
be out Of the whirI and toll Of it all But. like
every other veteran he gives more Of his attention
70 the field which occupied his mind for SO long
than 10 anything else in the days events. There
fore almost the first words he said to a Tribune
reporter yesterday formed inquiry about the
Kew York City political situation.
I don't suppose there's much new in it, though
remarked the old politician. ITS midsummer
politics. and mostly talk-nothing solid yet
Who is your choice for candidate for Mayor?
was asked.
general Bingham came the answer instantly
- think he would make a good candidate and a
strong run. He would have the advantage which
comes from being thrown out of Office by McCIel-
Ian. He could take the stump against Taminan1
with nauch effect. and his speeches against the
open town and politics and the police would carry
weight I consider HIM a desirable candidate"
Fusion seems considerable distance of 10 the
former Senator. He thinks that situation WI!
arise where The proper kind of fusion would beat
Tammany this year. though.
i would have the Republicans name StialSht
ticket" said he Let them get good Republican
candidates and the fusion elements indorse that
ticket. That's the kind Of fusion tnat LOOKS ll'ie
teal 10 me-"
They are having a lot Of trouble down al Wash
tngoen over that tariff, aren't they?' commented
the old man. little later. ''Taft's good deal o.
a man. and he's working hard on that farm re
vision But I don't believe he realized before he
look hold OF it what a JOB it would be to manu-
facture new tariff And I'll bet its hot down
there in Washington" He chuckled appreciativeiy
as a good cool sea breeze came over the fields ana
famed his face.
YES it surely is hot down there. and the Sena-
for IS very glad he's out Of it all INTERCEPTED MIS-
Abel. Senator Platt merely Chucked
what IS your judgment OF Governor Hughes s
direct nominations plan?' he was asked
4 can't give any Judgment which would be worth
giving he answered. because l am against the
system. I'm against il; ! don't like it II doesn
seem 10 me If il would get very far in TINS
state
The Abel family and Senator Platt moved out to
Freeporr into this new cottage last week He
comes to the city once week TO attend TO his
business affairs. and his secretary goes down to
see him vita correspondence every few days
I've got 10 keep my end up you know" eN-
planned the Senator.
He doesn't go out very much Many of the neigh
bors at Freeport have called on him; some have
asked him go driving with them. others nave
placed their motor cars AT his disposal The cot
raEe where he lives is only a short distance from
the Merrick Road. But the Senator doesn't seem
inclined 10 take advantage OF the offers Of motor
cars although he says the neighbors are very
kind" He will go driving. though when ne gets 4
little more settled and used to the neighborhood
Il think it's very pretty here. said he. looking
out ever close cut lawns and vacant lots which
merge fields. listening to the mellow chps
Of a fat robin in a near by. Its very pretty
and the air is good. l like il and I'm feeling fine
fine for seventy-sx years Of age ! eat well, too
Il don't care get around very much Stuck 10
my own firesde That's proper. isn't it2 don't
read as much as I used TO, bat look over the up
state papers keep in touch with affairs there ana
I read the New York papers each day.
Senator Platt is rather proud Of the fact that he
uses glasses only when he reads. he says his
sister III O7yeEo three years older than he, and
she also uses glasses only for reading.