New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-18
SENATORIAL FIGHT.
ODELL NEUTRAL, IT'S SAID
Depe7C Mcn Say This attitude As
Surcs Senator's Reelection.

The situation as regards the election of a sue
cessor to Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew. which
became acute on Thursday when the conference
was held at the Republican Club and the in
dIcations that straight out fight between
the adherents of Frank S Black and Senator
Depew might develop was relieved yesterday.
The friends Of Senator Depew were elated over
the situation yesterday. and frankly said that
the chances Of Mr.. Depew's recollection were
brighter now than they had been for a long time.
On the other hand. some close personal friends
of Ex-Governor Black inclined to think tina t
Mr.. Blacks election now extremely prob
lematical.
Out of that conference on Thursday great
deal Of Misrepresentation and misstatement of
fact has come The cause of that conference
and the result developed were explained yes
terday by a close friend OF Governor Odell 1t
was said that. in the first place the Governor
old not decide to call the conference. He has
all along remained absolutely neutral, it was
declared, and that was his position yet. Wheth-
er he will take sides later remains to be deter
mined. but far he has indicated pref
erence. Some friends of Ex-Governor Black ar
ranged for the conference and Governor Odelf
agreed to attend. These men, 1t was reported,
tried to turn the conference into caucus 10
declare it to be the sense of the majority
l
for Senator. and to make the caucus binding on
those present. Speaker Nixon opposed such a
plan. Governor Odell sustained him, and no
vote was taken as has been frequently but err
roneously printed.
There have been various stories printed to
what Cornelius N Bliss said at Thursday meet
ing Mr.. Bliss has been quoted as saying pledges
We're broken and accusing Governor Odell Of bad
faith. In fact, Mr.. Bliss made no such charge.
He declared yesterday that there had been much
misrepresentation. adding:
Il said that I thought business sentiment at
this end of the State was strongly in favor Of
DepeWs election. | said that before the cam
paign Depews friends had gone about the State
advocating Depew's reelection. and on the
understanding that he was the only candidate.
If Mr.. Depew's post were vacant I should sup
port Mr.. Black. because know him and like
him. The meeting not definite; there was
no caucus"
Governor Odell at headquarters yesterday,
and in the course of the day he talked with
leaders from various parts Of the State William
L. Ward of Westchestcr. of the sturdiest
advocates of Mr.. Black, had long talk with the
Governor yesterday. He said that the con-
ference the other day was in no way binding
and that nothing definite had been decided. The
situation as outlined by friend Of Mr.. Black
yesterday is follows:
IF Governor OdeIl comes out for Black. Mr..
Black will be elected. II he comes out for Mr..
Depew. the latter will be elected. If he stays
neutral Mr.. Depew may be elected. You see
where the issue lies. Odell will have to be ag-
excessively for Black for him to win. Whether
OdeU will do not remains to be seen"
Friends OF Senator Depew said that within
the last few days. or ever since the Republican
! Club conference Of Thursday. Governor Odell
had been sounding opinion. and that he was
inclined to side with Senator Depew now. They
say that the Governor has been true to his posi-
ton of neutrality. and they believe he will re-
main so to the end and that If he does Black
will be unable command enough votes TO
win. There is, Of course always the possibility
Of abstentions from the caucus. and delay that
might lead to unforeseen results, but this is not
/ now thought very DTOba bic.