New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-19
ODELL'S SHOW OF NERVE.
IT CAUSES MUCH COMMENT IN POLITICAL CIR
Giles.


Giles.
Nothing has occurred In state politics lately
which has caused much comment as the
announcement on Friday that Congressman
benjamin Is. Odell. jr.. chairman OF the Re
publican State Executive Committee. had sud
denly turned up In Albany TO oppose 7. c.
Patt's pet machine measure. the Greater New
York bill.
The statement which accompanied the an
nouncement referred to. that ex-senator Warner
Miller had arrayed himself alongside OF Mr
Odell against the consolidation scheme was ex-
tre-- Fly Interesting. but 1t vas BY no means 80
Sensational as Mr. Oders deliberate kick
against the plans 10 carefully arranged by Mr..
Plat. Mr. Odcll has long been known az one
OF the "slickest" Of Mr. Patt's licutenants. To
him has been intrusted the most important and
delicate affairs OF the machine II - one Of tho
open secrets Of the State Committee-room and
the PIatt headquarters In the Firth Avenue
Hotel that Mr.. Platt last year seriously
considering the prooositon to make Mr.. Odell
chairman OF the Republican State Committee
and Of putting Mr. Hackett in some other place
more suited to his remarkable energies and
lightning methods In politics.
Since Governor Mortons promotion to the
candidacy OF New-York State for the Presi-
Platt's inside favorite for the Republican nomi-
nation FOR Governor That holding the
relations OF such close intimacy to Mr. Plat
as has Mr.. Ode should deliberately declare his
opposition to a bill on which the Patt machine
had stakcd so much must have been an un-
pleasant surprise to Mr.. Plat. II about the
first matter Of importance which claimed his
attention on his return with his lacerated thumb
from the orange groves OF Florida.
Mr. Plat was frank enough 10 admit. after
hearing the news that Mr.. Odelrs evident de-
termination to play his own hand In the Gov
ernorship contest astonished him about as
much as anything that had taken place within
his political dominion lately. Mr.. Odells re-
ported belief that his chances for heading the
Republican State ticket this fall have been In
creased by the course ne has taken Is shared
by many politicians. both Republicans and
Democrats 1t Is not likely that Mr. Odell took
the step he did without consultation with the
Republicans OF Brooklyn. Westchester and. In
fact. the influential members of the party
throughout the I'D Judicial District. with whom
he is on terms OF personal and political friend
ship.
Speaker Fish and Senator Lexow held confer
ences with Mr. Platt yesterday Ways and
means for saving the Greater NewYork bill
from the fate which Odell. Miller. Burleigh
and other Republicans think II deserves was
the subject to which Mr.. Platt and his CO.
Iaborers addressed themselves.
II was reported yesterday that to clear the
way for the Greater New-york bill orders were
at once issued to sidetrack the Brooklyn Bridge
bill. This plan was foreshadowed by Edward
Lauterbach. who said that when two bills OF
legislation. one Of personal Interest to him and
the other a party measure were found 10 be
Incompatible. he should promptly advocate the
party measure and let the other bill take care
of itself He was understood to refer to the
Greater New-York bill the measure which
demanded party feaIty. and as having superior
claims upon him over the Bridge bill, which
was In the interest OF his client, tho brooklyn
Elevated Railway Company.
4 Charles w Hackett, the chairman OF the ne
publican State Committee said last evening that
he felt sure the Greater New-York oiI would
he paesed by the Assembly He and Edward
Jauterbach the chairman OF the Republican
County Committee. had confab with T.. q
Platt at the Fifth Avenue Hotel and few
other Republicans talked with Mr.. Platt. 1t was
given out later by the machinists that Con-
gressman Odell had been talked to about the
Greater New-York bill and had given the Platt
forces to understand that he would not actively
When Mr. Hackett wac asked about the reported
decision Of Mr.. Ode to be neutral. he said:
"Mr. Odell; ! suppose; has always been .,oaa op,
by talking against 1t publicly without consulta-
ton with others. don't know how he came to
be in Albany. but have no Idea that he went
there for the purpose OF opposing the Greater
New-York bill He probably will not be active
IN opposing the bill now. All the harm he could
do has been done but there will be enough votes
IN the Assembly to pass the bill"
"When will the bill be called up for action In
tbe Assembly" Mr. Hackett was asked.
"On Tuesday" he replied. with the air OF
man who knew what he was talking about
-, rvprzzIJyG BiyKER SENTENCED.