El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-02

through which Mr.. Platt has exercis
ed bis Influence. And IL Ia strange
thing, and a thing Of which Mr.. Oiel
may we'll feel ptoud, that he has never
been accused, even by his most violen,
political enemies, with having smirch-
ed his hands with any disreputable
business. That he is "practical
politician" Is the worst charge that
can be brought against him.
He is direct aud op,n in his
methods, and mau with will of his
wn, as hs showed recently in oppos-
ing Mr.. Platt's intention to shelve
General Francis " Greere because te
had ta<en Roosevelt's par: against tn g
senator 81 Philadelphia. Not only
did Mr.. Odell give to the newspapers
statements directly opposing the state
menss thatcame at the same time from
Platt, but the senator was forced to
permit the choice of Gan. Greene to
succeed Lemuel E Qligg as county
Chairman.
NOW as to the mysterious aspects of
MIR. Odeli's character and career. He
resigned from congress, he could have
had the senatorsh' that fell to Dspew,
be refused the vice presidential nomi
nation at Phi!adelphis last month, and
he has just sale that be would not run
for governor OF New York to succeed
Roosevelt. He could have had these
offices, none of which are usually scorn-
ed by American politicians, or h.
could have hai about any other office
here or under the national admluissrs-
tion. But he reje all OF them.
What, then, does he want? What 10
he in politics for? Mr.. Olell Is a
wealthy man, having large corporate
but 1t Is not conceivable that we have
At last developed politician who doss |
not seek the honor OF high off ce. Mr.. |
OdeIl has been waiting for what he is |
about 20 receive. she leadership Of his
party in Now York state with Mr..
olatt's seat in the senate.
Mr.. Plats Is an old man at IS years of
.ge, his health is poor, aud for some
ime he ha- been shifting details of
'srty MAJ assmentt to Mr.. Odell's shoul-
ers. He may feel, as Cameron felt at
bout the same age, that 1t is time to
urn the bos=ship over ID younger
ian and take rest
Platt worked for his position; Olel
ill succeed TO tie firmly established
'aoership without struggle, j'st as
'uay succeeded Cameron. Platt's
erm In the senate does not expire un- .
i 1903, but whether or not be serves
ut his term is a detail that has little
earlng upon the main ia :t tnat Oisll
TO have the supreme management of
epu oi1caa affairs in New York state.
rom bim the party here and the coun- u,
y over may expect somewhat more
nlightened leadership that they have
-ceived from Mr.. Plat. Mr.. Odell will
1t permi' the reproech to be
aoe mat tae repu olicaa organI-
ltlon In New York city deals with
ammany for division of spoils: he
III not make such a blunder as Plutt
ade in opposing Mckinley prior to =
s nomination in 1896; he will not
~" MS nanu so plainly as Platt has
'own his, and except in rare instances
ere will be no need to speculate as to
: position o. any political question.
q Will lead because his party fol-
Wers believe he will lead hem
victory They will not follow 9
m because he has been lavish d
contributions to the election v
penses of petty candidates d
lay took his oossship from Cameron
ID weakened it, until i. Is all but lost, d
allowing to much power to SUBJ
,utenanJs. Uader the heir to the
sw York boss ship no such mistake
IL be made. There will be no SUBJ
utenants: there will only be h cad b
arters. +" d \, .
r