The sun., 1904-08-30
oDELDs LEADERsHIP.

Honest old Abe's yarn about the whistle
footing 80 sonorously that 1t blew Its craft
out OF water can easily be recalled at an
odd moments reading OF the Governor
Chairman's organ on the banks OF the
Hudson.
For nearly two years, according to the
organ, the Governor has been the only man
in the State to nominate again for that ex-
alted Office in this year Of our Lord. Sud-
denly, without moments warning to the
200 900 voters of the State, the organ ceases
its cries for its patrons nomination for
third term. But Gov. Odells position as
leader Ia firmly established the organ now
continues to reiterate In each days issue.
'In considering the qualifications OF the
several Gubernatorial aspirants, the organ
now solemnly assures Us. probably nothing
Is further from the thoughts OF Gov. Odell
than the possible effect the nomination
and election OF this man or that man might
have upon his political fortunes. The
fact Is, so far as Gov. Odells position as
State leader is concerned, 1t Is firmly estab-
lished. and supported by all leaders and the
masses OF Republicans, and his leadership
will not be disputed by any one. in Office
or out.
At Saratoga, on Thursday, Sept. rs. 1902,
Gov. Odell stood upon this plank in plat
form adopted by the convention which
gave him second nomination.:
Good roads and canals are the two important
features which make for the material welfare and
progress Of the Commonwealth. Tho canals pro-
vide q channel for commerce and enable New YORK
city to hold the frst rank. both as the exporting
and importing centre Of our country: while hetter
highways bring the markets closer to the doors
OF the farmer. The two are equally Important
They cannot be separated. The one obstacle 70
the successful consummaton OF necessary I'M
provemcnis Is the constitutional prohibition against
long extensions OF the bonded debt Of the State
Tho alternative II direct yearly taxation upon
the people.
In considering. therefore. the necessity of these
improvements. due regard should be had both for
the ability 10 meet the required expenditures and
TO the wisdom OF extending the period during which
payment may be made. The Republican party
having already. through economies and legisla-
tion. rendered q direct tax almost unnecessary.
believes that these improvements should not be
the cause of again imposing such tax upon the
people. and that without imposing unnecessary
burdens upon individuals or other interests. there
should be an extension OF time In which payment
Of the principal and tho money for the payment
Of the yearly Interest should be provided,
We favor as the mrs. step toward these Improve
ments extension. under the Constitution. OF the
time when such payments shan DO made. To Sc
cure these prcllminaries the consent OF tho people
must be hrst obtained and We favor such leglsla-
ton a. will AFFORD them an opportunity to pass upon
these important aues tions.
Nothing is said in the foregoing about
that $l01 900 900 canal machine Of Gov.
Odell which twenty-five OF the twenty
eight Republican State Senators denounced
ut Albany in the following winter. When
Gov. Odell in leO?-O3, by the aid OF Demo-
cratic votes, jammed through the Legisla-
ture his canal project preparatory to sub
mitting 1t to vote Of the State at the elec-
tion in the fall Of 1908, the twenty-five Re-
publican State Senators Joined other inhuen-
tial and admirable factors in denouncing
the legislation and in pointing out that
the SOL 900 900 plan was only q starter. and
that ere the end came $500 900 900 would
be necessary to finish the job. Odell was
reelected in 1902 by plurality Of 8.s,l votes
Is it not fair to assume that had the Repub-
lican farmers Of the State known Of Odell's
intentions, or even had they had but an
intimation OF them on election day in 1902,
that he would have been defeated?
1t has been freely asserted that had the
Republican farmers Of the State in 1902
an inkling that Gov Odell was to jam
through his SOL 900 900 canal scheme. he
would have been beaten by 100 600 plurality.
The foregoing statement comes from those
in Odell's train. On Nov. 8, 1908, forty
three Republican counties gave heavy ma
jorities against Gov. Odell's $lol 900 900
canal taxation plan. These forty-three
counties which in November. 1902, gave
Gov. Odell total pluralities OF ios27o gave
on Nov. 3. 1908. majorities of 2o5.2e4 against
Gov. Odell's canal taxation measure.
The following tables have been prepared
from the reports OF the State Board of Can
vassers for 1907 and 1908 The figures are
as follows:
VI iaeitfa