The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-15
Why THEY FEEL AS THEY DO.
UPSTATE REPUBLICANS ANSWER
y. ODELL PLAINLY.
They're Tired OF Being BuIlied Into DOins
Just - the Grocer Wants-And They
Don't Trust . Man Who Voted TO
Pay Rock Price for Mud Excavation.


Just - the Grocer Wants-And They
Don't Trust . Man Who Voted TO
Pay Rock Price for Mud Excavation.
Governor Chairman Odell has already
received many replies to the autograph
letters he is sending to prominent Repub-
licans who have been reported to him as
opposed to the grocery ticket, asking them:
Wont you kindly write me and let
me know just why you feel as you do?"
The Governor-C hairman's correspondents,
moreover, have not hestated to tell him
why they feel as they do. but he won't let
any one see these answers.
A COPY OF one Of the replies sent to Mr..
Odell has been forwarded, however to the
Democratic State committee, The writer
is Poughkeepsie Republican. This is
what he sent in answer to the Governor
Chairman's letter
Mr.. Odell, you do not live in Duchess
county and possibly do not know that II q
Republican even intimates his intention to
vote for candidate other than the regular
party nominee. pressure. private and pub
lie. and even threats Of personal loss. will
be brought to bear to intimidate him and
prevent him from exercising the right given
him by the Constitution of his country.
You possibly may not be aware that the
sending Of such q letter as you have mailed
me. will by many who receive II, be consld-
cred as equivalent to a notice that they are
on the black list and are marked for perse-
cuton unless they desist from exercising
their right of suffrage.
These things hope you did not know at
the time you dictated your letter.
Notwithstanding these facts. you must
know. MIR. Odell. that the independent Re-
publicans In this section wear no yoke, nor
any mans collar, nor do they hold any polit-
ical ofiices. The stalwarts alone hold office
here. some of them two or three at the
same time. But the independent Repub-
licans do hold opinions and II, to save them
selves from annoyance. they keep their
opinions to themselves, when occasion arises
they are not to be intimidated and their
opinions are expressed. and are counted
when the polls are closed.
We gree, you and l that the records of
the two men should have governing nf1u-
ence." In this instance the record OF the
Higgins vote on the claim Of the Furnaceville
Iron Company Is sufficient Influence" One
who in his position so readily voted away
the State s money against the express opinion
and proof offered by the proper judicial
officer the Attorney General. that the claim
was illegal. In my humble opinion. is not
suitable person to be vested with the i'm
measurably greater power Of influencing the
disposition of the millions Of the States funds
that you had. without further statement
this Is good and sufficient reason" In my
opinion for myself or for any other indie
pendent or regular Republican not voting
for the Hon. Frank Wayland Higgins for
Governor Of the State OF New York.
The independent Republicans and the in
dependents In every party have a power,
albeit your leaders and henchmen here sneer
at them because they are unpurchasable
and unbribable; but they are fast learning
how to use their power, Mr.. Odell Perhaps
they win speak plainly before they act
perhaps they may not speak at all. In this
case have spoken and you are answered. ~
When the Governor Chairman heard that
the Democratic State committee had made
public this letter he tried to counteract 1t
by giving out a copy OF another letter sent
several days ago 70 Chairman Cord Meyer
Of the Democratic State committee. 1t was
written by Eugene B. Travis, who was the
Democratic candidate for Congress from
Westminster county in 1896. The tenor Of
the letter, which was a practical refusal to
aid In defeating the Grocery Ia contained
in this extract:
was told that a sugar refining company
in Yonkers cast Its vote solidly against me
for Congress and for the Hon. W IT, Ward
the Republican national committeeman. then
my opponent, Don't you think that with
have prevented that If YOU had tried hard'