Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-30
HE WAS ONLY BLUFFING
GOV. oDELL FAILED TO SUPPLANT
DEPEw IN THE SENATE.
Decision Of Republican Leaders in New
York Proved Testimonial to
Plat and Depew.

As announced in The Star yesterday aft
ernoon, Chauncey NJ. Depew will succeed
himself for a term of six years as United
| States sentaor from the state of New York.
continuing the colleague of Senator
| Thomas c. Plat, who has still four years
| to serve ,,,
The formal announcement of this conclu-
| sion was made late yesterday afternoon at
| the Fifth Avenue Hotel by Governor Odell,
| as chairman of the republican state COM
| mittee, and came as the elimination of a
| series of conferences by prominent repub-
| licans extending over several weeks and
| practically continuous during the past three
| days.
Governor Odells formal announcement,
| which is regarded as closing the contro-
versy on the subject. gives 1t as his conclu-
| sion that party harmony will be best SUBJ
served by the reelection of Senator De-
pew, comedies that the sentiment favoring
his selection is very strong throughout the
state, and declares that at would have
| been the worst kind of party generalship to
| nave run counter to this expressed pHblic
opinion
A Letter From Black.
Late in the afternoon a letter was given
| out. addressed by Mr.. Black himself to Sem
dtoi I'epeW- III winch tnt former governor
withdrew his name from further considera.
ton for the senatorship. and declared that
in this course his duty as republican and
| his private sentiments coincide for he pro-
| tested that his private interests and per-
| sonal tastes have both been distinctly
| against entering a contest. or even accept
ing public office, even if il came without
| controversy. -''
| In a graceful letter of reply Senator De-
pew thanked Mr., Black for his cordial sem
| timents, and declared that the former gov.
| ernors action placed the party under great
| obligation to him. 49,. 49,, --,,.-
Odell's Formal Statement
Governor Odell left the city. it was said,
| for Newburg early last evening, saying he
! was going back to the farm" This is the
statement which he gave out before leaving
republican headquarters:
LAS chairman of the republican state
committee of New York. after a long series
| of inquiries extending all over the state
| have reached the conclusion that party har-
mony will be best subserved by the re-elec-
ton OF Senator Depew. In the position
| which occupy am frequently called upon
| to pass upon the claims of friends and
while my sympathy may be- as was the
| case in the present senatorial contest, with
one stronger than the other yet one must
| recognize the fact that personal interest
| must always be subservient to party sue
cess.
"A month ago my knowledge of the situa-
| ton in the state was not as complete as II
| is at present, and those of my friends who
thought that change might be desirable
| for party reasons must now recognize the
sentiment which has manifested itself all
| over the state so strongly for the return
| of Senator Depew. Such being the case it
| would have been the worst kind of party
| generalship to have run counter to this ex-
pressed public opinion"
Political Situation Cleared.
Yesterdays settlement of the senatorshp
apparently clears up what was regarded as
critical situation, involving a struggle
which republicans compared to that of two
years ago, when Senator Plat was re-elect-
ed The controversy has, however, mater
laily diHered from that concerning Mr..
Platt, because the candidacy of former
Gov. Black has involved no personal at
tack upon Senator Depew.
1t was in connection with the reelection
of Senator Platt that Senators Bracket of
Saratoga; E. r. Brown of Jefferson. and
Elsberg of New York, withdrew from the
republican party caucus, supported Elihu
ROOT for the senatorship, and throughout
that session carried on the warfare in
which they received the title of the 'in-
surgents" jaw
Three weeks ago a conference was called
by Gov. Odell, which seemed to show a
strong sentiment for the election of Black
in Senator Depews place. Senator Platt a
week later called conference, whose ex-
pressed sentiment was quite strongly for
Depews reelection. On Tuesday of this
week began the three days final confer
ences, which this afternoon eliminated in
the settlement of the question in Senator
DepewS favor.
Black Never Declared His Candidacy.
Mr.. Black has never publicly declared
himself candidate, nor has Gov Odell
permitted himself to be quoted in favor Of
either Black or Depew. Senator Platt who
from the first has been outspoken in favor
of Depew's reelection, was not in the city
and has had no personal part in the final
conference.
The caucus of republican legislators to
choose their candidate for senator will be
held probably on Monday January I6 and
the election proper will be held on the
day following. to be ratified in joint ses-
sion on the 18th.
Gov--elect Higgins asked in Albany
last night, since the Senatorship fight was
settled, to break his silence and tell how he
had stood, or at least give an opinion on
the result. He persisted, however in his
refusal to discuss the matter. His only re-
ply was:
There is nothing that I can say"
Ex-Gov. Blacks Letter.
Following is former Gov Blacks letter
to Mr.. Depew:
My Dear Senator Depew: My name has
been considerably discussed in connection
with the senatorship. This discussion has
not arisen from my seeking Or desire My
private interests and personal tastes have
been distinctly against entering a contest
or even accepting public Office even II 1t
came without controversy. 1t seems clear
to me now that any further of my name
may result in consequences which might
hereafter impair the prospects of republican
success while they served no useful public
end. Ny duty as a republican is, therefore,
in complete harmony with my private
sentiments.
II shall be earnestly for your reelection;
and in conveying this assurance 1 wish to
express my appreciation of the uniform
courtesy of your attitude toward me. Very
sincerely yours,
FRANK s. BLACK"
To this letter Senator Depew replied as
follows. on a letter-head of the United
States Senate. but dated yesterday at New
York:
my Dear Governor Thanks for your
kind letter. 1t is generous and magnini-
NOUS and its spirit is in harmony with my
most cordial regard for yourself. l have
been fully aware of your own reluctance
to re-enter public life at present, and of the
insistence of friends so difficult for any one
to resist. For the conclusion reached and
its harmonious acceptance. the party Is UNI
der great obligations to you.
81 can only repeat. what you know, an
assurance of personal friendship, Intensified