New-York tribune., 1904-09-23
"ODELLTSM"

1t is clear that the favorite campaign device
Of the supporters of Justice Boss Herrick is to
be lie application Of epithet to Governor Odell.
The Democratic platform starts off with a yio-
lent arraignment OF the integrity and the polit-
zeal activity of the Governor. saying among
other things: For the first time in its history
''the Empire State has Governor whose per-
''sonal integrity rests under widespread suspi-
''cion." The impression made on Independent
men by such indecency is shown by the COM
ments of The New-Yor Times" a supporter
of the Justice Boss: cit would have been bet
''ter, we think, to omit that sentence from the
'platf rm. 1t does not sound well, and so far
''as The Times is concerned 1t has never heard
''of any act OF Governor Odell which would
bring his personal integrity under suspicion"
That is all the answer that need be made to
the evident author of this charge, David B.
Hill who has hitherto shown his characteristic
fondness for mud as weapon against Gov
ernoF OdeIl
The Governors leadership of the Republican
organization involves a question of taste He
is no more Of political leader than was Gov
ernor Hill or Governor Tiden. He has not
concerned himself one whit more with the 'sor
did details Of organization than they did, but
has simply had the Straightforward courage
and manliness to do his political work openly,
instead Of as If he were ashamed OF it, Those
whose fine sensibilities are most shocked at the
spectacle Of a Governor In command Of his
party were two years ago urging him to take
that command On September "a. 1902, after
Governor Odelrs denomination. THE New-York
Evening Post" declared that he had done his
duty at the convention promptly aud coura-
geOusly" and urged that there was a higher
and more important duty before him. that Of no
longer remaining in the background. but Of
Strengthening "a legitimate hold upon his party
leadership" and told him that by so doing he
would "stiI further win public appreciation"
Governor 0dell has gone on in line with that
advice IF il was bad advice, If in taking the
titTllar leadership he sinned more than Govern
ors Tilden and Hill did in taking the actual
leadership it does not belong TO the party which
gives its approval TO d. Cady Herrick. to cast
at him the first stone If political work does !
not belong in the Governors Office, how much |
more indecent Is the exercise of political boss |
ship in the judicial chamber,
Whatever may be said Of the taste Of Gov |
ernOT 0dell's political activities as a Governor he
has protected the peoples interest and there |
is reason to believe that some of the bitterest |
attacks upon him are inspired by certain street |
railway magnates who could not use him. He |
has been much vilihed by epithets, but every |
year after the adjournment Of the legislature
general confession has been made that he stood
firmly for the good bills and against the bad
ones. He vetoed the Remsen gas grab, the
West-st. franchise grab the Westchester rail
road grab. the Niagara Falls grab He aided
tenement house reform and defeated powerful
efforts to emasculate the law. He strove for
more Just and rational tax system and has part
ly accomplished it. No wonder that with such
a record of reforms he has made powerful and
noisy enemies. just as President Roosevelt did
at Albany and Washington His only important
measures provoking criticism which was not
mere political or personal rancor were the bills
centralizing the arrangement Of State nstitu-
tiOns. Many good people objected 10 these, but
others equally good believed the Capitalization
wise, for the institutions were certainly at loose
ends and extravagantly run. Whether right or
wrong, the Governor had good reasons for his
view and excellent precedents in other States
The Republican administration can appeal |
with confidence 70 a judgment on the facts for |
the past. and as for the future it puts forward |
a candidate who is acknowledged even by his |
opponents TO be honest and independent He Is |
no mans man. He never has been any mans |
man. He owes no more to Governor Odell than
ID. Cady Herrick owes to David r. Hill. He is |
more experienced than the Justice Boss IN
matters of State administration. and not expe-
rienced az all In the arts of political intimidation
and corruption. He is incOmparably better 1T
ted for the GOvernOrship than the Justice Boss
whose official conduct furnished to The New
York sun" the simile las foul as Justice Her
rick's court !
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