Evening star., 1904-03-19
THE NEW YORK FIGHT
1t Will Be to a Finish Between
Platt and 0dell.
OUTCOME UNCERTAIN
THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PRE-
PAIRING FOR MONTHS.
Senator's Friends INDIGNANT of 0da11,c
Senator's Friends Indignant at Odells
ngratitude-First Showdown in
Reorganizing State Committee.

Not since the memorable days of 1881,
when Senator Platt of New York and his
colleague Senator Conkling resigned from
the United States Senate, and precipitated
feud which distracted republican politics
Tor long time. has there been such inter-
est In the New York situation as is now
manifested. Another factional feud is
reaching crisis, but close observers believe
they see a speedier ending than marked the
other fight.
Senator Platt has gone to New York, with
a declaration of open warfare against Gov.
Odell, the issue being the republican leader
ship of the state, the control of the state
committee and the state convention to be
held in April, and eventually the choice of
United States senator to succeed Mr.. Depew
Gov. Odell's Preparation.
For months Gov. Odell has been getting
ready for this fray, which all New York
politicians, with the possible exception of
Senator Platt, considered inevitable The
senator himself has seemed in a daze. Yes
terday he explained by saying he had been
lulled to Sleep" He has awakened now.
and in the next few days will determine
whether it is too late or whether he still has
a chance to retain his leadership.
Gov. Odells friends and supporters are
convinced that the robe of leadership has
fallen from the shoulders of Senator Platt
and now envelops younger man, better
able to bear the heat and burden of the
day than the aged senator
Senator Platt's friends say that their
leader still is invincible, and that though
aged and physically feeble, is still fitted by
reason of his experience to command the
republican hosts. They resent what they
call OdelIS 1ngrattude al trying to oust the
man who made him, and will punish and
humiliate Odell if possible.
The First Showdown.
The first practical showdown will come
In the reorganization of the state commit
tee and election of chairman. Gov Odell
desires to displace Col. George w. Dunn.
the lifelong friend of Senator Platt and, it
fs alleged, would take the chairmanshin
himself. Senator Platt will try to prevent
the ousting of Col. Dunn, and as a last re-
sort will fight the election of Gov Odell as
chairman. He thinks it is highly indec-
orous for the governor of the state to act
as chairman of a campaign committee
thereby establishing a close relation. by
irnputation, at least, between the executive
power and political campaigning
The present complexion of the state COM
mittee Is about 16 for Odell and 10 for Platt.
with the Kings county delegation in doubt
and holding the balance of power. The
great struggle will come in Kings county.
Senator Platt and Senator Depew are in
ANC" AOih toudy IdiiylIlS Ine1f forces for
the titantic struggle, and New York poll
ticians are awaiting with the greatest in
crest the outcome
The factional contest is of importance in
national politics. For some time the repub-
Hcan leaders have been told that the Platt-
Odell rumpus would endanger the national
ticket next fall. The feeling was described
as being unusually bitter, and likely to
bring disaster upon the whole republican
ticket.
May Clear the Atmosphere.
The national leaders think that the i'm
pending decisive struggle may clear the
political atmosphere. They look for fight
to finish, in which one of the contending
factions will be Cleaned up" They think
that If Gov. Odell should win signal vie
tory he would reorganize the machine SO
thoroughly that there would be nothing left
for republicans to do but recognize the fact
that the king is dead, and then to loyally
raise the shout, Long live the king
At any rate, the continuance of the pres
ent uncertain conditions was regarded as
impossible, and all factions are glad to see
the issue Joined and the battle imminent.