Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-12
CONTROLS SITUATION
Governor Odell Can Nominate
Whom He Pleases.
THE NY. GOVERNORSHIP
ALL-ABSORBING TOPIC IN POLITI-
CAL CIRCLES JUST NOW.
Republicans Gathering at Saratoga for
Wednesdays Convention-Higgins
and Woodruff-Platt's Position.
Special From a STAFF Correspondent.

usual Importance attaches to the forth
coming republican and subsequent demo-
cratic state conventions to be held in this
village for the nomination of candidates
for governor. Upon the outcome of these
deliberations great deal depends for both
parties 1t will have vital bearing upon
the democratic presidential campaign; upon
it rest in great measure republican chances
for carrying the state.
All over the country the eyes of demo-
Gratis and republicans will be fixed upon
Saratoga for the next ten days. Through
out New York the most intense anxiety will
be felt by the rank and file of each party
until the nominations made.
To the republicans it is essential that A
man shall be nominated who is not recog-
niZed as the candidate of merely a IA -tioa
1t is still more important to them that they
shall put up man who can CONNIE nd the
confidence and support of the class Of re-
publican voters who are dissatisfied with
the present state administration.
Will Influence Democratic Choice.
The choice of the democrats will. 10
doubt, be Influenced by the selection made
by the republicans. The aim of the demo-
Gratis will be to find man who will be
strong enough to cause the state ticket
to reinforce the electoral ticket.
The republican convention will be held
first the advance guard of leaders, in
cluding Governor Odell and Senator Piatt,
having arrived Saturday. Before the reek
OF the republican perfectos is out of the
air the democrats will begin to arrive. All
day yesterday the republican district bosses
drlfted into town, and during the afternoon
and evening the broad piazzas of the hotels
were thronged with a frock-coated silk
hated set of men who talked shop. the
same being politics. and smoked nnumer-
Higgins and Woodruff.
The two names most mentioned IN con-
nection with the governorship are, OF
course Lieutenant Governor Higgins and
former Lieutenant Governor Woodruff. Mr.
Higgins is at his desk in the state capitol
and Mr. Woodruff is on the spot attending
to his campaign in person.
Mr.. Woodruff is an eager aspirant for the
nomination. while Mr.. Higgins is passively
permitting Governor Odell to press his cam
didacy. Senator Platt prefers Mr.. Wood
ruff, for geographical reasons" as the
senator puts it, with one of his dry smiles
1t is generally assumed that the governor
has a dark horse in the background. in case
of deadlock, but his identity has not been
disclosed to even some of the governors
closest friends.
Some people whisper that Governor Odeu
himself might turn out to be the dark horse
Since he arrived in Saratoga he has been
York for the state ticket and imperil the
electoral ticket.
Odell in Control.
Governor OdeH is IN absolute and nm
doubted control of the situation, and can
nominate whom he chooses, at the crook
of his finger
He does not deem it wise. however, to
force the nomination of any man and have
1t said that the candidate was the nominee
of faction. For that reason h. has not
squelched the Woodruff boom. but is al
lowing the convention apparently to take
its course. 1t is to be ostensibly open
man will be nominated. At this writing
It appears as If it probably %fuld be Mr..
Higgins.
The ante-convention gossip is Interesting.
One little story that is whlsperSd at the
remote ends of the piaZzas. with eau
tious look over the shoulder, Is that Gov
ernor Odell sent word to Mr.. Higgins that
he could have the nomination on plat
ter if he would agree not to disturb the
governors appOintees certain public
boards, and if he would make adequate
contribution to the campaign fund The
story says that Mr.. Higgins replied he
would be glad to help the campaign fund,
but would not make any promises about
the Offices.
Odell's Unique Preference.
The second chapter of this bit of gossip
is that Mr.. Woodruff offered to agree to
both conditions. but that the governor
preferred to have Higgins unpledged than
Woodruff pledged. That is not reflec-
tior upon Mr.. Higgins, for Mr. Higgins
Is known to be man of high character
strict integrity and unblemished personal
reputation.
President Roosevelt. it is stated has en-
tire confidence in Mr.. Higgins. and is re-
ported to favor his selection. The aue;-
finr 70 Caft lad hy- fsat.n bdf,.
the leaders is, VIII Mr. Higgins, If nomi
mated, be regarded being too much the
choice of Governor OdelI. and. therefore
likely to ALLEVIATE the republican vote, which
is an+agoniS:ic to the Odell regime in the
state"
Candidates and the Trusts.
Some of the Odell people are taunting
Mr. Woodruff with his alleged connection
with the trusts. That sounds extremely
funny. In fact. how many men are there
of prominence, wealth and position In New
York in either the democratic repub-
lican party who are not either connected
with trusts, past benehciaries of them or
trying to become associated with them?
One cannot but notice the change which
has occurred in the personnel of the repub-
lican management in the two years which
have elapsed since the last gubernatorial
convention met in this same village. The
young braves have In large measure ell
bowed the old sachems aside and are smok-
ing the longest pipes at the council fire.
Two years ago Senator Platt the un-
doubted master of the p1rty. Oden was
glad to take from his hands the generous
portion the senator helped out. Today the
aged senator. the experienced and resource
full old leader Is but leader emeritus and
OdeiTs is the hand that holds the party
scepter. The governor has brought about
him young and virile lieutenants.
Conspicuous Young Leader.
The most conspicuous figure in the
element is William Barnes jr, of
Albany, grandson of that great old re-
publican leader and eonfrere of Lincoln,
Thurlow Weed. Mr.. Barnes is the chair
man of the executive committee of the state
and a natural-born politician
He Is conservative: resourceful, enormous
ly energetic and young he is. very pessi-
mistic. He always looks for the worst and
when he wins fight is apparently sur