New-York tribune., 1900-10-24
TRACING THE EFORGED LETTER
MR. ODELL GETS AFFIDAVITS WHICH
THROW LIGHT ON CLUMSY PLOT.

Ex-senator Edward Murphy. jr.. and Major
James Otis Woodward. of Albany TO be called
upon to explain their connection with the letter
made public Friday night Of last week purport-
ing to put Benjamin B. Odeu. jr, in the light of
vote buyer. Major Woodward is prominent in
Albany. and well known at the Lotos Club in this
city. Mr.. OdeH went there to see him last night,
but Mr. woodward, who had been in all the even
ing. not to be found.
The letter which probably furnished the founda-
ton for the forgery reached Republican head
quarters yesterday, accompanied by afidavits made
by its recipient, William NJ Conlee, OF Centre
Falls, Washington County. Chairman OdeH in
September wrote Mr. Conlee a letter, inclosing
blank TO be filed out requesting him to make a
canvass Of the voters in his district and report as
as practicable. Mr.. Odeu was desirous or
learning the situation Mr.. Conlee filled out the
blank and sent 1t back accompanying 1t with
note in which he said that three Republicans OF
his district had been talking about voting for
Bryan Mr.. Odeu wrote him at once, asking for
the names Of the men, saying that he wanted 10
send them some literature. Then Conlee forwarded
the and the literature sent.
Thomas NJ. Salisbury, a Greenwich Washington
County. Democrat, in the course of conversation
with Conlee, learned that M Odeu had written
Conlee. According to the information obtained by
Mr.. OdeI. Salisbury told Major Woodward, who
was campaigning in the county. and the latter told
ex-senator Murphy, who in turn told Executive
Chairman Mcclure. Every time the story told
1t grew bigger. and Mr.. MCGUIRE after consulting
with Richard Croker, issued what purported TO be
a copy of the letter. follows:
Ny Dear Sir: Your name has been handed to
as e Ltelong Republican whom trust VIII
you kindly send me at once the of ten inde-
ton district whom you think may be Influenced to
favor our ticket on Election Day? Also advise US
OF any expense involved. Yours very truly,
B. B. ODELI4, Jr,
Chairman Republican State Committee.
Mr.. Conlee has sent Mr. OdelI an af1davit stat
ing that the two letters received by him the
only ones he has received from Mr.. OdelI AS
announced in The Tribune of Saturday, Mr.. Odell
never signs a letter with the words, Chairman
Republican State Committee after his name. The
The serious part of the performance for ex-Sen-
ator Murphy and Major Woodward is that ap-
parenuy one OF them, the strength of mere
political gossip was willing TO vouch for the gen.
utneness OF letter purpOring to carry the sigma
ture Of Mr.. Odell, and making him political
br1ber. II the offence was committed in Wash
ington County the authorities there would doubt
less have jurisdiction It is more likely. however
that the entire clumsy plot concocted at State
Democratic headquarters in this city
When Chairman MCGUIRE asked about the
letter yesterday he dscaimed responsibility for IT,
saying that ex-senator Murphy was the only one
who could talk about It.
When Mr.. Murphy was asked when the af1davtts
from Washington County, which were TO sub
stantiate his statement that the letter genu-
yet come, and that MI. Salisbury, who apparently
started the fake letter story In Washington Coun-
", SICK and could not make out the affidaV1ts
at present!