The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-01
Make HIGGINS THE SCAPEGOAT
THE ODELL SOLUTION or THE
GOIERNORSHIP PROBLEM.
He'll Take some OF the Odlum on the
Go,ernor-Chsirman' Shoulders. It's
Hoped, IL He Can he Made TO Run-Ali


Governor Chairman Odell told his ad-
herents yesterday afternoon at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel that he was to visit President
Roosevelt at Oyster Bay next week for q
final talk over the situation in the State
before the Republican State convention
assemblies at Saratoga on Sept IA. Gov
ernor-C Chairman Odell these adherents
insisted, desires to nominate for Governor
Lieut.. Gov. Frank w. Higgins of Clean.
The Governor-C Cha irman's satellites pro-
claimed that he was powerful enough to
nominate Mr.. Higgins but that the situa-
ton had become 80 acute over the Wood
ruff boom that to accomplish his desire
he would be compelled to nominate Mr..
Higgins by main strength, using all the
power Of his Office as Governor and all the
power Of his place az chairman of the Re-
publican State committee.
The news concerning the Woodruff boom
vas TO the effect that it had gained such
Roadway that it will require all the courage
that Governor-C Chairman Odel ever pos
sessed to kill 1t in order to nominate MIR.
Higgins.
Governor Chairman Odell in his desire
10 nominate Mr.. Higgins for Governor Is
inspired. it was said by Republicans who
should know, by the belief that Mr.. Higgins
will do nothing whatever to disturb Udell's
leadership; first because Mr.. Higgins is net
familiar enough with organization details;
secondly, because Mr.. Higgins hasn't the
temperament to battle with Odell as leader
OF the Republican machine, and, thirdly.
because Mr., Higgins, having been Lieuten-
ant -Governor for the last two years, would
take of some OF the obloquy Of Odellism
which at present is heaped upon the Gov
cruor Chairman's shoulders alone.
Mr. Higgins's friends at the hotel an
nounced what all know: That he is a man OF
the highest probty and that no stain OF
public graft or private greed rests upon
him. The understanding OF the Governor
chairman that Mr. Higgins is not sufIl-
GENTLY familiar with party routine and is
not Of temperament to undertake battle
to unhorse Odell was very generally ac-
cepted however even by Mr.. Higgins's
personal and political friends Some Of
these friends said that he ought not to permit
Governor Chairman Odell to nominate him
for Governor, for the reason that the Re-
publican party all over the State Is not to
pay so much attention to individuals in
the approaching campaign as 1t is to n
system of graft and dishonor which has
tainted the party for the last few years,
All the testimony Is TO the effect that the
Republican voters, while utterly loyal to
the President and ready o sust ain President
Roosevelt's administ rat ion at the polls.
win not hesifafe 10 strike down anything
in the shape of Odelisn,.
The weakness Of Mr. Woodruff as can
, hafnrp NJ hs
was said is that he has pledged himself
30 Go,ernor-Chairman Odel not to do
anything as Governor to disturb Odell
as leader Of the party, whereas the Repub-
ican voters in town and country have
made UP their minds to get rid OF anything
pertaining to Odellism. The iticism on
Mr. Woodrlir's pledges to Governor-C Chair
man Odell have been varied and unpleasant.
Enough Is known of the situation in the
State from the most competent authorities
TO show that, while the Republicans are to
support President Roosevelt right up to
the handle they are watching for an oppor-
tunity to strike down OdelliSm, and Mr.
Higgins's friends said last night that It
was almost cruel for Governor Chairman
odell to think of foisting uron him the
nomination for Governor.
'Tt Oh bpNeTIlOT-N thurman OueIl S6tel-
li,es said "The Governor does not trust
Woodruff. nor Stranahan, nor Fish. and he
believes It the wisest policy to take his
a ances with Higgins
II was made known that DR.. Nicholas
Murray Butler, president of Columbia
University, like Elihu Root, has made the
firm and final announcement that he Is not
candidate for the Governorship and that
ho world decline the nomination II it were
given to him.
William Barnes, Jr., chairman of the
executive committee of the State committee
1t was asserted last night, Is to nominate
"a one Of the Assemblymen for Albany
Darforth +. Ainsworth, former Deputy
Superintendent of Public Instruction, who
was thrown ont of Office along with Charles
r. skinner when Andrew y. Draper was
made head NJ the new system. Mr.. Aims
worth has been known for years for the
notoriety he attained in the famous ceiling