The Washington times., 1904-12-30
DEPEN'S SUCCESS
DIVIDED VICTORY
Platts Man Chosen, But by
Grace of Odell.
WHAT EACH SIDE CLAIMS
Governor Likely to Have Some Say
Henceforth in Federal Appoint
ments, Hence He Is Satisfied.
WHAT EACH SIDE CLAIMS

Senator Chauncey Mitchell Depew oc-
cupies the center of the political stage
today, as the victor in the prolonged
and somewhat acrimonious contest be-
tween the leading men of the Repub-
ican party in New York State. The
settlement of the fractional struggle. as
told in The Times yesterday, was re-
ceived with expressions of the utmost
satisfaction by Republicans everywhere
Although claimed as a victory by both
Plat men and the OdeI supporters, a
good many persons view the ternina-
ton of the struggle as a greater victory
for OdeH than for either Depew or
PIatt
Depew Mems Claims.
On the face of things, Depew, of
course.Sls the chief beneficiary in the
case, for he has won out in his efforts
! to retain mis- seat in the Senate. His
wish to round out his long career by
staying in the Senate is thought 10
have Influenced him more in his fight
than any overpowering desire to be a
party leader. 1t can easily be under
stood that after career of great honor
in the public service he would enjoy
devoting even more time than hereto
fore to leisure and foreign travels. free
! from official cares; but his friends 2p-
pfScl3ISd MS ODJScIlOnS 10 leaving pun
| lie life under the fire of his opponents
within the party, and insisted on his
retention with such good effect that,
! they say, State Chairman OdeH had TO
! yield.
/ This much outlines the view as taken
! by the opponents of Odel.
OdelPs Position Given.
! The governors friends, however, point
with eagerness To the fact that Platt
! II J1.-
| pew through, and that Depew had not
F.! the least assurance of success until me
governor turned in and said there woald
| be no other candidate before the party
caucus. The junior Senator was weak in
4 the hands of his colleague, they say,
but strong as soon as Odell gave the
word
| 1t canrot be doubted, too, that Odell
/ has put Depew under sufficient obliga-
| ticnS TO him TO control q share Of Fed
| er5tl patronage hereafter. This was one
| of the chief desires of the governor in
order 10 retain his hold on Empire State
| affairs He received q most unplea So Mt
| lftical standpoint when President Roose-
! welt recently gave two fat Federal plunlS
TO Platt's friends, in the postmaster
Ships at Kew York city and Washington,
| by following the usual rule of accepting
recommendations of Senator's whenever
possible and practicable.
A Drawn Battle.
Having put Depew under obligations
| TO him, Odell may now find this trouble
/ obyiated. He mas broken In on PIatt's
power of Federal appointment, his
! friends contend, and has thereby made
himself all the stronger in his fight
/ for party domination
/ There seems to be greater show
disinterested person. feel, of OdelIs
friends claiming the victory than for
Platts supporters convincing people
4 that Depew won out on the strength
! of Piatt's Endorsement. Full credit is
I given the easy boss however. for
! forcing the fighting early in the contest.
when his buckwheat-cake breakfast raj
! lied Il large number of the legislators
and sent them scurrying back TO all
parts of the State to sing the praises OF
Our Chauncey' and arouse popuiar
! enthusiasm in his behalf. Taken all in
all. therefore. the settlement of the
struggle leaves the leaders without Il
! decisive victory on either side, no mat
1 ter how much each may claim that sue
/ cess is all their way and their oppo-
nents entirely beaten