The Washington times., 1901-12-08
NO LEADER In
PLATT'S PLACE.
What the Senator's Retire
ment Would Mean.
TIMOTHY L. WOODRUFF'S AMBITION.
Friends Think He Should Have "A
Seat in the United States SEN
ate-A View OF New York RI
publican Politics at Present.

NEW YORK. Dec. Talking for grant
ed that Governor Odell is to be renomi-
mated. the Republicans are looking for
sturdy candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
as Lieutenant Governor Woodruff
friends. it is intimated. would not consent
to his taking the nomination for fourth
time. They believe that Mr.. Woodruff
should be groomed for Senator Platt's
place in the United States Senate il Mr..
Plat does not desire recollection.
There has been a great deal of talk OF
late as to the position Of many influential
men in the party in this State. The Bid
well situation has complicated matters
and led to unhappy feelings All inter
ested in the welfare OF the party are try
ing now TO prevent serious disccrd.
Republicans Uncertain.
Still. thousands Of Republicans in the
State are keeping their eyes wide open
and their ears to the ground for the
slightest indication as to which way they
are TO jump.
Senator Plat and Governor Odell. per
sonally. are on friendly terms. and will
remain so. it was said today. 1t was the
opinion that few Republicans. although
they might differ with Senator Plat on
one or two matters. would care to make
a fight against him either in the State
committee or the State convention.
A very eminent Republican, who has
just returned from long visit to Presi-
dent Roosevelt in Washington, said today:
1--WE hear all over the State OF New
York many things OF the ambition Of this
and that man. but | am convinced that
Senator Platt viii be the leader OF his
party in the State as long as h. ives. or
as long as he cares to be the lesu'r. and
that II he desires reelection to the United
States Senate he vii certainly be re
elected
CounciI 10 Govern.
should Mr.. Plat ever retire as the
Republican leader, lis toga would not fall
on the shoulders OF any one man. The
leadership would become a patchwork af-
fair. or a sort of Republican corporation,
with so many directors and so many trus-
tees. With the events Of the last two
or three years. il would not be possible
for any man except Mr.. Plat to be the
Republican leader OF the State. A single
leader savors too much OF bossism. and
that is out OF fashion nowadays
IF Mr.. Platt should retire as leader
the party in the State would probably be
controlled by a sort OF council. which
would include President Roosevelt. Gov
ernor Odell. Colonel Dunn. chairman OF
the State committee; Lieutenant Governor
Woodruff, Mayor Low. Francis Hendricks.
Ex-Governor Frank s Black National
Committeeman Gibbs. Louis +. Payne
George ". Aldridge. William c. Warren.
and the president of the New York County
committee II cannot be said too en-
phatcally that Senator Platt's tOga VIII
never pass to any one man.
New adjutnnt General
Governor odell. at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. today confirmed an announcement
made a short time ago, by appointing DR.
Nelson II. Henry to be adjutant general
in place Of the late Edward Morris Hor-
man, of Elmira. Governor Odeli denied
that he had made statement credited to
him in some of the newspapers that there
would be no excise legislation at Albany
this winter.
The attitude OF The Governor and Sen
ator Pla'' and all hands since election
day has heen that proposed amendments
to the Paines Law sent to Albany viii
meet with careful consideration.
Governor odcll within the last twenty
four hours. while at the Fifth Avenue Ho-
tel. has had many talks with 3epubli
cans. some of whom wished to speak TO
him concerning parts Of his forthcoming
message 10 the Legislature. 1t was said
today that the Governor will not gaggest
in his message anything in the shape of
franchise tax legislation or excise legis-
lation.
sunday Opening Bill.