Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-24

can situation is that there are still two
factions In spite of much smooth and con-
ciliatory talk the Plat wing and the Odell
wing of the party are not pulling together
II they are not drawing further apart 1t is
because the respective leaders have not yet
fully matured their plans
Plat Regains Prestige.
Any one familiar with the conditions in
New York for the last year is bound to
note that Senator Plat has regained some
of his lost prestige. He is in a much
stronger position than after the Washing
ton conference, when Gov. Odell took con-
troll of the party machinery and conceded
the senator the honors of leadership. The
campaign helped Senator Platt and he gets
a need of credit for the election of Hig-
gins as governor 1t may be said that
President Roosevelt's strength would have
pulled Higgins through anyhow, but Plat
sent the word along the line to his friends
at critical period and 1t is generally recos-
nized that this helped to turn the tide.
Governor Odell on his part takes the re-
suit of the election a vindcation of him.
self and it has to be confessed that ms enc
mics who were predicting that MS emo as d
political leader was In sight have been dlS-
appointed He is still very strong ana mas
back of him a compact and loyal organiza-
ton whose loyalty was strengthened py
the abuse to which the governor was sub
jected during the campaign. Yet the diff
ference In conditions is that Gov Odeil, IN
stead of being the sole boss or leader as
he. seemed to be eight months ago, Is now
simply the rival of Senator Platt.
Plat for Depew.
asked a dozen republican politicians If
Governor Odell had candidate for sena-
tor. Almost always the reply was coun-
ter inquiry whether had seen any declara-
ton from him in favor of the reelection
of Senator Depew. Senator Piatt has taken
of ic onI-
league He wishes Mr.. Depew to remain
in the Senate Senator Depew himself mas
taken the party into his confidence ana mas
said frankly that he wants the honor OF
continuing to represent New YORK he
said II throughout the campaign in which
he made speeches all over the state. lie
seems to be satisfactory to the republican
voters. Complaint is made that ne Is NOT
quite spry enough in hustling around for
the patronage and in looking after other
routine details of senatorial work But
this complaint does not appear u nave
made a deep impression
There is more curiosity to know how ne
stands with the President and what his
influence will be with the national ad-
ministration in case he Is re-eiec.eu. Inc
marty feeling is noticeable that the sena-
tors should be in full sympathy with the
President Senator Platt has seen the
force of this feeling and he has given out
the impression that II there are any t~o
senators more loyal to President Roosevelt
and closer in the Presidents confidence
than Depew and himself he would ike 10
know who they are
Sentiment cuts so little figure In New
work notifies that If Governor Odell has
decided to make fight he will have q good
many members of the Assembly with MIN
simply because they are part or his organl-
zation though If left to themselves prop
ahIv they would favor Depews reelection
The overwhelming vote for Roosevelt car
ried him more members OF the asseIhpiy
than were expected and their preference
nna A.
tions Senator Depew, however, apparently
benefits from these new members VINO were
chosen in the country districts. In the city
it is not quite so clear because the hoIhiia-
tions were largely controlled by Governor
GdeIl and a number of members feel that
they owe their election to him. Against
this feeling are some of the Older politi-
clans who resented the iron discipline TO
wbicb the governor subjected them in the
preliminary fight when he was seeking TO
prevent trading with Tammany. They pre-
fer an easy boss to harsh one
odell Anxious to Maintain Hold.
Whether ex-Gov. Frank Black will de-
eide to try the issue with Senator Depew
is likely to develop in a short time Mr.
Rlack liked the House of Representatives,
and his friends think he would like the
Senate. though they hear much of his de-
sire tn stick to his law practice Not
withstanding his brililancy Mr.. Back Is
not regarded as a strong organizer ana
if left to himself some of his legitimate
strength might get away from him. AS
one of his followers admitted, FRANK
cant beat Depew by an epigram.
Gov OdelFs organizing ability is ex-
pected to be the bulwark of the Black
senatorial candidacy in case there should
be such candidacy. The governors
friends resent with heat the hint that he
may mean to play Black against Depew
and then take the plum for himself Many
developments support the view that Gov
Odell does not care to go TO the senate,
though he does care most decidedly to
maintain his influence In the republican
party Some folks say that there won't
be a senatorial contest of any kind and
that one of these mornings the republic
cans of the state will wake up and read
declaration from Odell in favor of De-
pews reelection and of harmony.
Whether or not this proves to be true, the
facts of the situation will not be changed.
Antagonistic interests are represented by
Gov Odell and Senator Plat, and the an
tagonism will not be ended by either one
securing temporary advantage
Republicans in New York.
New York republicans who care little
for the rivaIries of the leaders are show
ing genuine concern over the future of
the party organization in the city. They
think that with wise leadership the days
of big democratic majorities in national
elections can be considered as past, and.
instead OF at the outset cOnceulHS pos
sible democratic plurality of 10000 to
100 900 the next national campaign can
be entered upon with the expectation of
not having more than $4,000 to overcome
Tammany leaders themselves share in
this view They are in despair over the
President Roosevelt wrecked the or
ganization. His sweeping the east side
with it's composite nationalities from
under them they do not look upon as an
accident. They know better than any one
else how the Presidents popularity de-
pieted their recruiting grounds. With so
many thousand young Irishmen and
young Hebrews and young Italians and !
young Germans voting the republican ma
tional ticket in casting their first ballot
Tammany realizes the difficulty there
will be IN getting them into the wigwam.
The organizationsis weaker than at any
time In its history. In former years it has
been beaten on local issues by the revolt
OF public sentiment, but this revolt being
oil had ifa milf ard Tar