New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-21
PLAIT AND ODELL AGREE
COMPLETE HARMONY NOW
Senator Leader and GOUerHOr Stats
Chairman-A Stirring Conference.

Senator Platt. Governor CdeN, senator bepeWs
Colonel Dunn. chairman OF the Republican
state Committee. and many other Republicans
prominent in the state organization il was de-
cided. after fun exchange Of views and after
statements by both the Senator and the Cow
crnor. that senator PIstt should remain the ac-
tive leader Of the party. 1t was agreed that the
Governor should be elected chairman Of The
state Committee to be chosen by the approach
ing state Convention i'm April. and that wherever
there we're local contests for leadership in the
party there should be no Interference in favor OF
or against any one. either by Senator Platt or
Governor Odeu.
The misunderstanding between the Governor
and Senator PIatt was entirely cleared up. 10
NAV he stated that they are to-day I'm closer ac-
cord than they have bee" at any time IN
months. Governor OdeI. his friends say. for a
period entertained the idea that he was TO Be
eliminated as a factor I'm the councils Of the he
publican party. He. naturally, took steps To
bring about a condition whereby he would re-
main . mower i'm organization matters. Senator
T,Iot+ trusting in the Governor as his ally i'm the
state. deferred everything TO his management
Recently Senator PIatt was led TO believe thas
the Governor was undermining his leadership
and setting up in business for himself Reports
were also carried to Senator Platt that Presi-
dent Roosevelt had recognized Mr.. Oden as his
representative in New-YOrk-
These stories worried the Senator TO consid-
arabre extent They were magniaed. and it was
rumored that Governor OdeH Intended 10 try
7.44fv
in party affairs and assume full and absolute
control Of the state organization
Acting on this information. Senator Plats
came over from washington last Friday and
issued a call for all of his friends to meet him
an the Fifth Avenue Hotel at 3 o'clock yester-
day afternoon.
THOSE AT THE CONFERENCE
At this conference the situation was thor
ough1y cauvassed. Those present were Colonel
Dunn. chairman Of the Republican state Com
uittee. Senator Depew. William Barnes. jr..
chairman Of the Executive Committee. Lemuel
2 Quigg J. SIoat Fassett George r. sheldon.
National Committeeman. Hamilton Fish. Assist
ant United States Treasurer. y. y. Stranahan.
Collector Of the Port. James 5. Clarkson. sur
veyCr Of the Port. John T Mott. Of Osweg0:
Francis Hendricks. state Superintendent OF n
surance: Robert G. Morris. ex-prasldent OF the
Republican County Committee: Cornelius Van
Cott postmaster: Ferdinand Eidman. ex-Lieu-
tenant Governor Woodruff. Senator lothian p.
Aids. Congressman George y. SoUthwick J. H.
r Mougin. ex-Congressman Louis W. Emerson
and ex-Justce Ernest HAIL
After free exchange Of views. IL was
decided appoint committee to see the Gov
ernor and ask him what ne intended to do IN
the way of recognizing leadership in the party
and cooperating to bring about a victory az
the polls this fall" and to explain his attitude.
The committee was composed Of Senator DeDews
Collector Strauahan and ex-Lieutenant Govern
or Woodruff.
Senator Depew acted as spokesman. and when
they met Governor Odeu ne said in a general
way.
Governor OdeH. we come to you as the friends
Of Senator PIatt. Senator Platt for twenty
years has been the leader Of the Republican
party m this State In that time he has fOughu
four national and eight Rovernorship cam
paigns He has lost one national and one gov
ernorship campaign. We believe that you ara
IN experience. ability and IN resource the mosS
capable man for chairman Of the State COM
rnittee. We ask you TO accept this position, bus
il carries certain limitations. II your leader
ship means the elimination Of senator Platt and
his retirement absolutely. then a condition
Of discontent viii be created which viii
SANITATION. and create friction which viii be
disastrous 20 the party II Is one thing to win
NJ the primaries or in n state convention. and ir
is another thing TO win at the polls. have
been told that your programme contenplates
my absolute obHteration and retirement from
the Senate. 1 have refused to believe this.
Aside from that I have for you the kindliesE
feeling and the deepest recognition Of your
ability as a political manager. We are here tor
ask YOU TO express an opinion, to place the sit
uation before you and to ascertain what YOU
intend 70 do.
REPLY OF THE GOVERNOR.
Governor Odeu listened closely TO what Sena-
tor Depev had to say. He replied that he had
never for a moment questioned the leadership
Of Senator PIatt: that he had never directly or
indirectly declared either for or against the re-
tfrau,er- Of Senator DeDew from the United
States Senate: that all he was working for was
the success Of the party in this State; that he
had no desire % change the complexion OF the
state COMMITTEES or 70 force Colonel Dunn OUT
of the chairnanship. However. as ne had been
asked TO accept the craftsmanship he would do
so and give his best efforts 20 insure a Repub-
ucan victory IN the State this fall and he would
in no way try to interfere with members of E
the State Committee or delegates TO the State
or national convention. and would act in thor
ough unison with Senator PIatt and recognizes
him as leader OF the party.
This statement Of the Governor was eminently
satisfactory 70 all Mr.. Odel then went down
stairs 10 Senator PIatt's rooms and made an ad-
dress TO those gathered there. In IL he said
that he certainly would feel like cat in a
.QfT