The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-03-07

collector of the port OF New York.
The nomination was distasteful TO the
New York organization and both Plat,
and ConklIng refused 10 confirm 1t
in the senate.
Thereupon Garfield withdrew all
ether New York nominations made ~
their instance, among which were
those of Stewart l. Woodford to be
United states district attorney, aud
Lou f. Payn. recently remembered IA
an 'accelerator OF public opinion TO
be United states marshal.
There could not be a better instance
OF Platt's skill in persuasion and ma
nipulation or of the irony that mock
ed his ripest wisdom. Mckinley was
shot, Roosevelt became president ana
the DAYS Of Platt's denomination in the
state lapsed into senillty. His bodily
strength declined rapidly. He made
second marriage, which ended In the
courts and he was sued ny Mae
Wood. formerly clerk in government
employ, for a divorce, on the strength
of a third marriage, never proved TO
have taken place.
Finding themselves in a hopeless
deadlock, Platt and Conkling both re-
signed. Conkling was caught in the
great blizzard of 1855 and died OF eX-
posure. Platt was supposed 10 be
frozen out OF politics
Nothing of the sort-he turned his
attention TO building up influence IN
the southern tier Of New York coun-
ties, became state leader again IN
1914. and i'm 1897 was elected second
time to the United States senate, sue
ceeding David Bennett Hill
puts Roosevelt Forward.
He fell out" with Gov Frank Black
and, to defeat his denomination, put
forward Theodore Roosevelt. a type
whose undevelopcd possibilities he did
not Justly estimate. II was Roosc-
velts rapid progress toward popular
ity and power that later led Piatt TO
suggest him for the presidency.
hoping that in the quiet Of that digni-
fed office he might be forgotten.
Platt was born in Owego Tiogo Co.
n. Y, on July >, 1888, Of Puritan an
cestrv. II eentered Yale college with
the class Of lS49. but left I'm the middle
OF his junior year because OF i'll
health. His father wished him 20
study for the ministry. but he never
advanced farther in that direction
than to sing in the church choir
A brief apprenticeship al literature
was succeeded by more congcnial en-
ployment i'm business He prOspered
In Michigan in thel lumber trade, re-
turned 10 Owego and became presi-
dent OF the Togo National bank; was
chosen director and later president
OF the Southern Central Railroad Co.
and in 1879 was elected general mau-
aeer and secretary OF the United
States Express Co, OF which company
he became president I'm 1880. so re-
naming until his death
In physique Plat as a young man
was pleasant in appearance, deliCately
built, restless and nervous. In later
years his sivage took on grimness.
BY his first marriage, 10 Ellen Bar
stow, Of Owego he had three sons
Frank H.. Edward r. and Harry %.
Plat He had been i'm feeble health
FOR some years before his death
Happy With First Wife.
The domestic relations OF Platt and
his first wife were of an ideal nature
During practically all their residence
In New York they occupied suite
OF five rooms, modcstly furnished, at
the Fifth-axe. hotel.
Mrs. Plat never cared for entertain
ing and was well satisfied with these
quarters. In fact. all her arrange
ments were madew it'll an eye single to
the comfort and convenience Of her
husband
II was part of Mrs. Platt's work for
her husband to read tho papers that
were sent 20 him from every part Of
the state. 20 make clippings from them
and TO inform him at the end Of the
day OF the political situation as she
had noted IL. She was voracious
reader OF newspapers. and could talk
politics as well as any man n was
nc unusual thing 10 see ,he two in
earnest discussion over some point
that had come up while they took din
ner together in one Of the public din
ingtooms of the hotel into which Mr..
Plat always escorted his wife with
the air OF a cavalier. Mr. Piatt al
mitted that some of the knotticst
political problems that ever confront
cd him were worked ont in these daily
discussions with his wife.