The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-10-20

lations with Mr. PlRtt from the outset
on pretty nearly the right basis But.
besides various small difficulties. We
had one or two serious bits OF trouble
before my duties a. Governor ces sed
II must be remembered that M. Plat
was 20 all intents and purposes a large
part or. and sometimes majority OF
the Legislature. There were few en-
ur-ly iude pendent men such as Nathan
lei Elsosrg. Regis Post and Afford
remainder were under the control or
tho Republican and Democratic bosses.
but could also be moro or less Influenced
machines were apt TO make common
cause Y their vital interests were
methods by. which either the two ma
chimes could be kept apart or else over
thrown II they came together.
Ny desire was 70 achieve results. and
not me ely TO Issue manifestOe- OF vir-
tue. II IL very easy TO be efficient n
the efficiency Is based on unscrupulouS
ness, and a. H. still easier 10 be virtuous
tive virtue which consists in not doing
anything wrong. but being wholly un-
able 20 accomplish anything positive
Josh Billings again applies. II il 80
much easier TO be a harmless dove than
wise serpent My duty was 20 COM
pine both idealism ana efficiency. At
that time the public conscience wa
~tlll dormant a. regards many species
OF political and business misconduct, -
came sensitive. 7 had 90 work with the
tools az hand and 10 take into account
me feeIlng u tic people. which J have
already described. My aim was persis-
tently 20 refuse 70 be put in position
where what ] d4l would seem 20 De A
mere faction struggle against Senator
Ilatt- nv aim was 20 MAKE q fight ouls
wheu ] could 80 manage ~ that there
could be no question ia the minds Or
honest no. =, men men. that at my ~ prime purpose was
except as a necessary Incident 90 sccur-
ilg clean and efficient government.
"BrsAhfAsting with Plat"
In each case did my best 70 persuade
Mr.. Plat not 10 oppose me. / cudeavored
trying 20 wrert the organization nom
iim. and ! always. gave him Iu detail
position 1 Intended 20 adopt. II was on
y after l had exhausted all the resources
Of my patience that ] would finally. - he
~till proved obstinate. tell him that 7
Intended 70 make TIE fight anyhow. A.
have said. the senator was an old ana
feeble man in physique. and "a was pos
Until Friday evening he would he Kept
At his cutles IN Washington. while /
was IN Albany II , wished 20 see him
/. generally hal 90 pc at his hotel in
New York on Saturday. and usually /
would 40 there TO breakfast win hin.
The on, on. hing / would not 9crrni; vas
,landesJue meeting. / always insisted
on going openly. solemn reformers 81
me N'l- ''l variety. VINO. according TO
fNelr custom, paid attention To- tho name
ana not the thing t-.e much exc clsed
over fuv 'hFeakfasting with Plat "
whenever ] breakfasted with him they
became sure that tfn fact carried win
TO some sinister Significance. The worthy
creatures never took the trouble 90 F...
low Che sequence ~ facts and event .Y-
faemselves. n they had done 20 4. /,
would have seen that any series o. fr. N.
ftHt. with PIaff always meant tII A.
was trying. Courteousiv and frankly. 20
HH D.
make - as easy ~ possible for him .p
come y ith me. A. long as fhora waF l
clash between as there was uD 90 &C. ri
my seelug him. it was only when %
clash came or was imminent that Dol z
fo see him. A series - breakfasts ~.
always the prelude 90 some active war
fare.
ITO Illustrate ms meaning qg1fe
from ID letter NJ mine 90 senator piar'
or De- ~fu'~r y. 1888. lie bad been try