New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-09
ODAIR IS A TRAITOR.
HE DESERTS The REPUBLICANS.
ELECTED TO THE ASSEMBLY AS A VIGOROUS or
PoNENT OF TAMMANy AND THE DEMOCRACY

ELECTED TO THE ASSEMBLY AS A VIGOROUS OF
PoNENT OF TAMMANy AND THE DEMOCRACY
NOW HE GOES OVER TO THE ENEMY.
William J. oDaIr, elected In November to the AS
sembly from the XXIId District as the Republican and
| ant-Tammany candidate threw off his mask yesterday
and showed his constituents how he had deceived
them by sending the following letter to the Boss of
Tsmmany Hall
No. III East Eighty-ninth-st.,
NewYork, December 8, 1891.
Hon. Richard Croker Tarmany Hall
Dear SIR Many members OF the Democratic party have
been inqurng 10 the position politically about
friends OF yours desire say YOU that
crat, avorins Democratic principles and measures
intend to support the Democratic party Respectfully yours
WILLIAM j. ODAIR.
Mr. O'Dar was elected a Republican and a Labor
man las November by majority of 433 over Jaseph
Blumenthal. the candidate OF Tammany Hall. His
letter of yesterday is rendered the surprising. be-
cause for ~e last two years he has been member of
the Republican County Committee from the district
he proposes to msrepresent In the Assembly and tho
Republicans of the XXIId had such unqualified con-
fdence in his Republicanism that they last night
elected him to the County Committee. His namo
will be found I'm the list OF the regularly
elected delegates in another place in this paper.
Besides being on the County Comittee be Is member
Of the Ivy Club the social Republican Association OF
the XXIId District
Mr.. o'Dar sought preferment at the hands Of the
Republicans of the XXIId before this year. In 1888
he was the regular Republican candidate for the AS
semby, but was defeated by Blumentha. the Tam
many candidate. In 1886 and 1887 lie also ran
for the Assembly being indorsed by the
Republicans after receiving the Labor nomination.
Each time until this year the Tammany candidate
defeated him.
AS an avowed, unmixed, lmalterable antl-Tammany
ma he hrep ime befo ctu Tho distrf
against Tammany Hall. In the last campaign he
again appeared upon the stump and denounced the
corruption and tyranny Of the Wigwam in unmeasuIed
terms. In his speeches he used practically the
same argument against Tammany that Mr.. Fassett
did, and considered in the district true
and strong opponent OF Tammany Hall
Mr. Fassett himself. Upon the blankctballot ques-
ton he outspolen and vehement, and mercilessly
denounced Governor Hill and his "pasters." At 10
O'Clock on election night, when his majority was as
sured he made speech in denunclaton Of Democrats
and Democratic policy, and served notice on the Demo
crats of his district that he had things IN
for them.
The most remarkable thing about Mr.. O'Dar's change
of front is that he has turned his back upon his friends
and joined his enemies when his vote make no
possible difference in the political character Of the
Assembly.
William J. ODair extremely scarce" around
his former haunts in the XXIId Assembly District last
to escape those damned reporters" and went up to
spend few days at his former home in WatertOwn.
n. Y Perhaps there is nothing in this circumstance
but the general public aware that WaertOwn is
noted being the home Of GOvernorelect Flower
well that Of William J. ODair.
Mr. O'Dair seemed equally anxious to escape the
Objectionable reporters last night A Tribune re-
porter called at his home, No. III East Eighty ninth
ST., twice, and each time was told that Mr.. o'Dair
would surely be found somewhere else. The addresses
to these somewhere elses" were wrongly given, but
did not deceive the reporter On inquiry 1t was found
that Mr.. ODair had not shown himself at the some
where clsc7 during the entire evening
John II. Gunner, Republican leader in the XXIId Dis
rict said last night had intimaton OF Mr.. o.
Dairs latest move this evening and was much sur
prised at it, In fact am astounded, for the man has
deliberately killed himself, politically Neither the
Republicans the Democrats will have the
slightest faith in him, and that in politics means
DEATH HIS claim that he is not under any obligation
TO the Republican party is most astonishing. When
he about to be nominated by the Republican party
in the last campaign took him myself down to Mr..
Platt's Office to introduce him, and he there
,oHtspoken against the Democratic party that /
was laughed at for asking him TO pledge
himself to vote with the Republican Assembly
men. But / am strong believer in methods.
and did then and there. in the OF Witnesses
pledge Mr.. ODair to support tle Republican Assem-
bIymen and he gave the pledge unedhvOcally Be
sides this Mr.. O'Dalr came 10 me and asked for a
place in the Navy Yard. l. being satisfied with
his Republicanism, secured him place machinest
through Secretary Tracy If that is not placing him
self under obligations to the Republican party don't
know what is. But than this. When
he was running rs our candidate for |
Assembyman he asked If he resigned his place I'm the
Navy Yard If he could have ii again in case he were
defeated for the Assembly and he had the promise |
that he should have the place.
During the campaign his speeches were Of the |
bitteest character against the Democrats. The night
he was nominated in Ivy Hall by the Republican or
ganization of the XXIId Assembly District he got up
and pledged himself TO the Republican party in the |
strongest terms. During all that campaign he renewed
that pledge time and time again. don't see how any
patty the public platform in more folcbe language
Than o'Dair did If any further proof Of his
have it in his signature the roll book of the |
Republican organization Of the XXlId Assembly Dis
party There it is on the front page with the leading
Republicans in the district. Even recently sat
part. was talking with him, and he showed not the |
slightest inclination to desert the party that made Ibis his
then, and trips to watertown, you know, are full
To reporter, whom Mr.; o'Dar supposed would look
with enlency upon his political treason, he |
Ha%ed ser to raEer o he Yesterday ssa with Ec
published herewith, and justified his course by
yng that nd he T maar no 00pon a s ssre to he He He
admitted that lie knew that his was on the |
list as member OF the Republican County Committee,
but said he mad been elected without his consent, |
although he did not claim that he had even |
against e it, Ii rooEg 5ino" Navy his Yard
he asserted dnidently that General Tracy had ap
pointed him on his personal merits.' and that no
local Influence had been eXerted In his behalf"
The general sentiment Of men OF all parties about.
the clubs and uptown hotels last night that Mr.
O,D;nr was about the smallest and most contemplate |
trimmer so brought into public notice by personal
treachery.
THE DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Washington. Dec s.-A meeting Of the executive