Show TOM REED AiD DOSS PLATT Concealed behind the strong fight over the patronage in New York City is a fight over the next Republican presidential nominee While the giving giv-ing of places to hungry Henchmen was and Is a great desideratum for the great Boss Thomas Collier Plait yet that question pales Into absolute insignificance in-significance before the ambition of that successful manipulator < to hold In his hands the treasury portfolio under a Republican administration of this government Piatt has never forgiven for-given Harrison for not calling him to the cabinet and he is determined < to be in a position In 1896 to force a candidate candi-date who will be pliable In his hands The last campaign In the Empire state was one pregnant with political surprises and original developments Under the guise of reform of the die enthronement of the Democratic bosses bos-ses the people of the state lifted into power the one man who is a peer of Hill as a machine politician It is true that Piatt placed before them a man who could be depended upon as one who would not be subservient to bossism But Morton was only a figurehead fig-urehead Behind him were the forces of Platt which by the same sweep were placed In control of the legislature legisla-ture The boss was content to sink his individuality until the election was over He was willing to let it be believed be-lieved that bosses were being swept away until it should be time to secure the fruits of < the victory However after the thing was done he began to come forward and then it was he showed his hand In the contest con-test for the next presidency The shouts of exultation over thp victory of reform had scarcely died away among the rookeries on Harlem heights before Platt had issued his orders or-ders The reform fever had scarcely I come to a healthful coolness before the legislature at Albany was obeying obey-ing the orders of Platt It is significant that Platt is working work-ing for Reed His choice was governed gov-erned in the first place by his hatred for Harrison on aoount of the ignoring ignor-ing of his pretensions by the latter and in the econd place by the fact that McKinley Is the choice of the Union League club It would never i have done for him to have united with the club in helping McKinley because he would not have been given credit and it Is more than likely that McKinley McKin-ley would offer the treasury portfolio to one of the numerous candidates who are always present within the ranks of that club Reed was the only available man and besides Reed vwis by far the best mark for the wiles of a politician looking for combinations Now the contest is on Mayor Strong of New York is one of the closest of McKinleys friends He had already thrown down thfe gauntlet to Platt and is making appointments omen o-men who are notoriously lefOrm sHe s-He pretends to be on the best of terms with the Tioga boss but neetth lethe le-the latter has received a J ery abrupt and unmistakable notice that he must keep oft the grass Behind him stands the Union League club and the array of disappointed candidates who were turned down unceremoniously by Platt In order to make room for Morton Mor-ton tonIf If Reed should get the nomination by the aid of Platt from the state of New York what would follow Those silver men who have been looking forward for-ward with confidence to the aid that is to be given them by Reed and the advanced stand he will take on the silver issue will feel astounded It is certain that he will not receive Platta support without there Is some bargain In connection with it and If there is a bargain it will be that Platt is to have that which lIe most desires With him In the treasury Platt controlled the finances A combination between Reed and Platt is certainly suspicious Reed In late years has lost that robust fearlessness fear-lessness which used to make him the idol of the Republican side of the House The loss has been coincident With the development of his ambition + r 1 to be president Before the bee began to buss in his bonnet he was outspoken out-spoken on all subjects not caring much who would be offended Since that time he has been somewhat of a trimmer and has been doing Some of the most ungraceful straddling that has been witnessed in the last few years His speech on the bond proposition was the most notable example of this There is not one word in It that would Indicate the side Reed takes In the sliver sli-ver fight It was made at an hour when the sentiment of the House was thoroughly aroused on the money question ques-tion Speeches on the one side and the other openly voicing the sentiments senti-ments of those who delivered them I had been made for several hours But Reeds speech fell like a blank The House had waited for an opinion from hIm But Instead of the honest declaration which had been expected from him he gave absolutely no indication I indica-tion of what he would do on the silver question affecting to believe that the gold bond proposition did not affect that Of course all the country should know where Reed stands He is forced to be a gold man by his geographical location But he has a belief that by steering In the middle course he will be able to keep both sides satisfied In this course there are many earmarks of the methods of Platt Can it be possible that the New Yorker is already al-ready appointed trainer for the man from Maine |