The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-26
A HIGGINS. 0DBLL VERSION.
~ WAS NOT ODELDS CHOICE"
SAYS HIGGINS.


where q SenatOrship Was Dealt For.
Governors Chairman Odell's convention
nominated Frank W. Higgins for Governor
at Saratoga on Sept. IS. Yesterday, Mr.
Higgins made the following statement
Il was not Gov Odell's choice In the
convention. He told me that / was not an
available candidate for the governorship.
1.-THE day before the convention had
talk with Gov. Odel, and he deliberately
informed me that I was not available.
He mentioned the name of man, who
he thought was available.
One reason why the Governor aaid
was not available was because OF the con-
test between my friends and the friends
of MIR. Woodruff He said that the fight
had become 30 hot that neither one OF US
could be nominated, and that third man
would have to be chosen.
"Well, went out and Jaw the man that
Gov. Odell said was available. told him
and 1 told his friends that he was to be
nominated. But that man, who was al
ways friend of mine, told me that he was
for me, and he started around, saying that
he couldn't be induced to accept the nomi-
nation; that he was determined never to
accept another public office.
"Then Immediately saw Senator Plat.
and told him that under the circumstances
l had decided to allow my name to be pre-
sented to the convention, because thought
that majority of the delegates were for
me. The Senator replied that he was for
MIR. Woodruff but he conceded that a
majority of the delegates were undoubtedly
for me.
nd
clared that If he couldn't be nominated
he would rather have me nominated than
any other man.
After that when Gov. Odell called the
conference of leaders a majority declared
for me, and the Governor announced that
he would accept their judgment, and that
it was agreeable to him.
Il have not seen such an open conven-
ton for years. / did no personal CAM
paigning among delegates. Congressman
Vreeland and Mr.. Franohot did work for
mo for long time. Personally was for
Elihu Root, and so stated In newspaper
interviews"
Senator Plat refused to attend the con-
ference of which Mr.. Higgins speaks 1t
was at this conference that Governor
Chairman Odell promised to make Frank
s. Black United States Senator in place OF
Senator Depew. in return for support for
Mr.. Higgins In the convention the following
day.
night Of Mr.. Higgins statement. and Of
the conference at Saratoga which Mr..
Plat did not attend, said
1t is perfectly true that never told Mr..
Higgins that was for him until after the
conference OF the party leaders. AS mat
ter of fact up to the time OF the holding
Of that conference I had been inclined to
favor the nomination Of another man. but
views upon the convention, and when the
conference had made UP Its mind / was for
the man that conference selected
Il have noticed that Mr. Higgins in his
speeches has repeatedly declared that II
ministration Of his own. I never thought
he would take any other position. man
who is not OF a sufficiently independent
character to act as Governor free Of the
dictation OF any man would not be ut to
The conference Of which Governor
Chairman Odell and Mr.. Higgins speak was
held in Saratoga on Sept. IS. In the morn.
Ing OF that day Governor Chairman Odell
called on Senator Plat and announced to
him that he was then ready to talk concern
ing a conference which was TO have been
held the day before, but which Governor
Chairman Odell had postponed.
! suggest, Senator. said the Governor
Chairman on the morning Of Sept. IL, @that
We e.h have the conference this afternoon at
Il hope you'll have a good time at the
conference replied Mr.. Plat,
4Why you'll be there. won't you Sena-
tori anxiously inquired the Governor
Not for moment, replied the Senator
1T isn't necessary for. me to attend any
conference. My candidate is Woodruff
and don't propose to 20 into any con-
erence and discuss any other candidate.
that Governor Chairman, odell had vio-
lated the compact which he made with
Mr.. Woodruff and Senator Plat for an
open convention. Governor Chairman
Odell's father arrived in Saratoga on the
e Sen e da IN ae ssen non
ference, at which Mr.. Higgins was selected
to be- the candidate for Governor Only
those in Governor Chairman 0dell's train
attended the conference. as follows: Rep
resentative Lucius n. Littauer, william
ward Lauterbach, william Halpin, William
c. Warren and Louis, F, Payn:. Mr.. Hig-
gins's personal friend, n. n. V. Franchot,
was also present. When the conference
broke up Goy.elnor, Chairman odell said
and he directed that Mr. Higgins come
,p from Albany to Saratoga the follow
ing morning, adding: "We have this situa-
ton we'll in hand now, and he might as
well come along.
All day Sept IA and on the morning OF
Sept. IS Republicans who wanted to vote
for Mr.. Woodruff in the convention called
on Mr. Woodruff and told him. as they did
other Republicans, that Governor Chairman
Odell had threatened to remove them from
their places In the public service II they
voted for MIR. Woodruff in the convention.
Republicans Of high and low degree who
attended the Saratoga conven ton where
Mr. Higgins was nominated said that Gov
ernor-Chairman Odell dominated the con-