Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-17
SERIOUS PARTY FEUO
Platt- -0dell Rupture Causes
Uneasiness.
= GOVERNOR AGGRESSIVE
HAS IGNORED ADVICE OF THE
LEADERS.
The Senator Will Resist the Attack
With All of His Quiet
Vigor.
GOVERNOR AGGRESSIVE


NEW YORK. April ia profound po-
HticaI sensation has been caused by the
open breaking out of hostilities between
Governor Odell and Senator Platt. The re-
publican party of the empire state bids fair
to again be the victim Of a great feud,
which may in the end rival in intensity the
memorable Roscoe Conkling episode. The
effect of such a feud upon the politics OF
the state and perhaps upon the politics or
the nation approaching a presidential cam
paign cannot now be estimated. Coming
lust at time when the democracy of New
York is united and in splendid fighting trim,
the dissension in republican ranks causes
grave apprehension among all the leaders
President Roosevelt, before he started
west, endeavored to patch up truce be-
tween Senator Platt and Governor Odell,
and to obviate the impending conflict Sew
eral conferences were held at the White
House with that object in view, but, as
events have shown, the Presidents efforts
toward peace were fruitless. The rupture.
which has now become open, has been OBJ
served by politicians and commented upon
for several months. Senator Platt knew
that it was just question of a short time
when he would have to fight it out with
Governor Odell, and his friends had advised
him to start the ball rolling at once.
Platt Not Eager for the Fray.
But this old veteran of many a political
battle is not as eager for fighting now as
in his younger days. He is weary of the
struggle and disgusted with the ingratitude
of politics and perhaps little bit satiated
with conquest, SO he has preferred to re-
main passive and permit the governor to
force the fighting. Senator Platt's friends
say that it is pity the old senator could
not be permitted to end his political days in
peace.
They say that in the ordinary course Of
events he could not long keep his stand
in the forefront of battle, and that am
bilious young men o fthe party every one
of whom is indebted to him, might in plain
decency wait until he was down and out
before scrambling for his shoes.
But now since the governor has chosen
to force the fighting. as yesterdays hap
penings at Albany Enthusiastically Indicated
Senator Platt is going to put his fight
ing clothes and take one more whirl at his
enemies
He was at the Fifth Avenue Hotel today
placid and undismayed In his gentle way
he referred carelessly to the situation and
affected to minimize its Importance. But
his friends knew that at the moment he
was setting in motion the tremendous po-
litical machine which he has built up in this
state and rallying his followers for the
fight with Odell.
Gov. Odell's Aim.
Governor Odell aims to become immedi-
ately what he would naturally become in
a short time-the absolute master of the
republican party in New York state. He
Is opposed by some republicans because
they do not like his methods and is op-
posed by others who prefer Senator Platt's
leadership. all else being equal. Governor
Odell will arouse the resentment of many
republicans, who think that he should not
create factional war within the republi-
can ranks at a time when harmony is so
necessary. The governor will be held re-
sponsible for the trouble, as he is the ag-
greSsor.
After the tremendous democratic vote
which was polled in New York city and
Brooklyn last fall, indicating the complete
harmoniZing of the democratic forces 1t
was conceded on all sides that democratic
mayor would certainly be elected next fall
In this city. Representative George B. Nc
Clellan is prominently mentioned as the
probable democratic candidate. II this
Platt-Odell fight continues there will prob
ably be no need for the republicans to NOM
mate candidate for mayor at all. The
possibility of New York state going demo-
cratic in the presidential election will be
enhanced by the continuance Of this feud
in the republican party.
Attitude of the President.
President Roosevelt has bitterly remarked
that 1T will be nice thing indeed for the
prospective republican candidate for Presi-
dent to be confronted with the probability
of losing his own state. But Governor
Odell's friends do not admit the possibility
Of such a thing. They say that the gov
ernor will have defeated Senator Platt. re-
organized the party and put it into better
shape for the fight by the time the presi-
Dental campaign approaches.
Governor Odell is ambitious, and thinks
there Is no political honor too high for his
grasp. This will be the crucial test for
him. II he disrupts his party in New York
state it remains to be seen whether he can
command the following of his party at
large.
In these piping times of political peace
New York state comes to the front with a
situation which will give the politicians
something to talk about for months. and
will give the national managers a problem
to deal with, the solving of which will keep
them busy 1t will be strenuous enough to
suit even Mr.. Roosevelts ideas of strenu-
osity. NOM