The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-10
NO, THANKYOU, SAYS NV. TAFT
HE'S REALLY MUCH TOO BUSY TO
BECOME ODELES GOVERNOR.

Edmund Wetmore Doesn't want the job
Either-Pretty Hard, Old fashioned
Republicans Think, TO Have the Nominn'
ton Passed Around TIL Its Shopworn.
Governor Chairman Odell received q
telegram yesterday from Henry W. Taft,
now at Murray Bay, Canada. in which
Mr.. Taft declined the distinguished honor
OF becoming the Governor-C Chairman 8
candidate for Governor. At the same
time Mr.. Taft sent a similar message to
his firm, Strong & Cadwallader, with a
request that its purport be telephoned 10
Regent Edward Lauterbach.
Thus ended the Taft episode. Mr.. Taft's
friends said last night that his professional
duties, like those of Elihu Root, precluded
him from accepting political honors.
After the Taft message was REQ eived
yesterday Governor Chairman Odell made
a bid for Edmund Wetpore to accept the
nomination. Mr.. Wetmore also declined
to become a candidate.
Governor Chairman Odell's adherents
at the Fifth Avenue Hotel said that his
course had greatly cheapened the Repub-
lican nomination for Governor. 1t mas
been very evident from the start that no
Republican of especial strength or renown
cares to become Governor-Chairman Odelr 8
candidate.
In other words, the proposed nomination
offered by Governor Chairman Odell has
become rather shopworn. The old talk
was revived that the Governor Chairman
is to nominate Frank Wayland Higgins OF
clean, though Mr.. Higgins has made the
positive announcement that he will not
accept the nomination IL 1t is to come from
a single faction OF the party.
The only pronounced candidate ioT
nomination is now Timothy l.. Woodruff
of Kings. Governor-Chairman Odel! ac-
oompanied by Senator Platt and Mr.: Wood
ruff, it was said last night, will journey
to Saratoga this afternoon. On Tuesday
there is to be a semblance of pow-wow
of the Republican leaders OF the State at
Saratoga, but all the same it was com
mon talk last night that Higgins is to be
the man.
Mr.. Woodruff's friends did not accept
this, and said that his chances for the nomi-
nation were never brighter. Mr.. Woodruff
starts with the strength represented 6y the
1872 delegates from Kings, and he will have
support in some Of the counties OF the
southern tier and in other counties, al
though Governor Chairman Odells attack
on MIR. Woodruff because of his connection
With the typewriter and salt companies
has not been without its effect.
The main trouble with the situation at
present, in the estimation Of those who
have made thorough investigation, Is
that the better element Of the Republican
party in the State, and many independents
who in recent years have voted with the
Republicans, feel Inundated over the con-
dition of the Republican party In the En-
pire State.
For the first time Odellism and all sorts OF
graft systems have become dark blot on
the party. Republicans of renown do not
hesitate to compare Odellism to Crokerism,,
and Crokerism, like Tweedism, represented
the most despicable days Of Tammany
Hall. The Republicans who recognize this
situation declared yesterday that they
want to save their party from the fate
which threatens it; they want to wipe out
the stain On their party, and a few OF the
positive ones asserted that this would be
done
Governor Chairman Odell and Hamilton
Fish have had number Of conferences at
Monmouth Beach within the last few days
On the strength Of this the opinion was ex,
pressed last night, that II Mr.. Higgins and
Mr.. Woodruff fall by the waydde, Mr.. Fish
may be nominated.