Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
new YORK POLITICS
New Phrase for Political Ma
nipulation.
SEN AT0RSHIP FIGHT
HOW SCIENTIFIC AND UNSCIEN-
TIFIC METHODS DIEFFR.
The Conditions as They Exist at Pres
ent and Why They May
Be Changed.
SENATORSHIP FIGHT
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

| lCdl IIldHipuldtlOH III view 1OIh. HSdIo ~
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel day or two
ago when the different conferences were
going on 1t is the scientific method and
the unscientific method. Practical politics
is scientific. That means the machine.
Some opportunity for popular sentiment to
manifest itself is unscientific. That means
the people.
This explanation was made to me by one
of Senator Platts followers, who is himself
scientific. But he was impartial in his
characterization. He was criticisng the
Odell crowd. but not on account Of their
methods. The point he made was that
Platt was easy boss, Odell harsh boss,
and both Depew and Black were no bosses
at all. Therefore the necessity of their re-
spective senatorial candidates. being taken
| in hand by the recognized bosses. OF course,
his argument was that the rule of the easy
boss was preferable, but his condemnation
of both Depew and Black for their lack Of
scientific methods was not shakened or
softened for the benefit of his own candi-
date. If anything. he was little the more
severe on Depew for being unscientific in
playing the game of politics.
This estimate of the two senatorial candi-
dates is not far wrong. Senator Depew was
prominent in public life many years before
he went to the Senate, but he never had
personal organization. Black was a good
governor his friends say, but he built up
no kind of machine. Consequently, they
have taken the matter out of his hands now
and Will utilize Gov. Odells machine.
Counts for Little.
What the mass of republican voters have
to say in the matter counts for little Prob
ably the majority of them if they have the
chance to express themselves directly on the
subject would be in favor of Senator De-
pew's reelection. In going through the
state In the early stage of the presidential
campaign l met no. one who was thinking
ofsanyone else for senator. Later, after the
state ticket had been nominated, the neces-
sfty of all factions pulling together left no
opening for discussion of senatorial pref
erenceS.
Since the election there has been some
sentiment for Black in spots and it may be
as his friends assert that way down in their
hearts the majority of republicans are spon-
taneously enthusiastic for the ex-governor.
But no one who happens around when the
conferences Of the rival bosses are in prog
ress would guess that the several hundred
thousand republicans of the state have any
vote in the matter. 1t is very largely a
question of manipulation and maneuvering.
The bosses and the sub-bosses and their
neutenants have just one thing in mind
Ihat IS the organization" Half a dozen
or them have told me that the organization
favored either Depew or Black just as their
Alliances inclined them. But no one has
TAXED very seriously about the republican
voters. The Odell man argues that the gov
ernor having shown repeatedly that he has
the organization Senator Plat should sub
SIDE. But the Platt lieutenants maintain
that Gov. Odell stole the Organization and
that Platt is fully justified in getting Il
back by larceny or otherwise
While there is unmistakable bitterness on
the surface the undercurrent is that which.
ever boss shows he is really in control Of
the organization should be allowed to name
the senator. The trouble with this plan is
that 80 much is involved in the struggle
that there may be-two organizations.
Senator Depew Ahead Now.
II Is very clear that up to this time
Senator Depew has considerably more
members OF the legislature than has ex-
Governor Black. In most states this would
mean that in order to defeat him several
candidates would be a necessity to COM
bine as field. and even then the chances
D 90 me Inc neld would not be bright. But it
Is dlnerent In New York. I asked ono
OF the Albany politicians about it and he
explained that some OF the pledges given
senator Depew were made when 1t was
noI Understood that 1.-The organiza ton"
might prefer some one else. In consequence
or this little misunderstanding he was sure
that these members would consider them
selves released from any pledges. "Rut
t Mon Il the sentiment in, Of their districts force
constituents" he replied. "have confidence
n them 1t is a sublime exhibition of con-
hdence in members of the legislature.
49,, me representatives In Congress are in
tho tight up-to their necks Many of the
consressmen seem to look on it as a case
OF self-defense. though I had not heard
that the Odell organization interfered in
the congressional nominations VIVA
the cause most OF his former colleagues
are against Governor Odell. and some of
them are SO bitter that they want the fight
to finish. Odell on his part seems to
take the congressional opposition with
equanimity. The congressman do not have
much influence at Albany
1t Is very well understood that the fight
Is to name not only a successor to Sen
ator Depew. but also Senator Platt's sue
CT ssor II there should happen to be a re-
publican legislature when his term expires
So many of Senator Platt's lieutenants got
away from him and were enrolled by Odell
that his funeral dirge has been sung with
great regularity for two years past Yet
az intervals he shows remarkable vitality.
This Is one of those Intervals His ap-
pearance IN the role Of an interpreter OF
the popular will. while not exactly in keep
ing with previous experiences. undoubtedly
causes uneasiness among the Odell people,
Ii all of Senator Platt's lieutenants had his
; snap ana responsiveness there would be
little question about the outcome. He would
win. But all of them are not so strong or
SO loyal and therein lies the uncertainty.
Plat Has Forced the Fighting.
Senator Plat has forced the fighting to
the point that Gov. Odell now cannot come
to the support of Depew except as a beat
en- political leader. So 1t may easily be
understood that while the governor is seek
Ing patiently and conscientiously to find
out what is the popular WILL he will have
one deaf ear, which will be the Depew ear.
One element in the contest is the rivalry
OF big financial and railway interests. Some
of these want Depew reelected, while
others are strongly opposed to him. But
among the managing politicians I have no.
ticed that little significance is given the at
titude of the big financial interests They
are hardly more than privates in ranks
when 1t comes to the main question, which
Is the control Of the party organization.
. The position of Governor-elect Higgins
cannot be described as a happy one What
ever course he takes his administration at
the outset will find itself antagonized by
a powerful faction. Nor is the senatorial
struggle one from which the governor-elect
can entirely abstain. The OdeN organize
tion, which claims the credit for nominating
him, expects his aid. That means the pat
ronage. The Plat faction apparently is
distrustful 1t does not ask his aid but
1t demands that the state administration
keep hands of. II the offices and the in
fluence over legislation are to be gauged
by the governors displeasure toward indi-
vidual members because of their prefer
ences for senator, without a question some
until mol In nj