The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-24
ROOSEvELT'S CHANCES.
They Are Regarded as Having
Improved in New York.

Chicago, March PA Washington
special to the Tribune says:
President Roosevelt's chances Of esr-
ryfng New York state are vastly I'M
proved by the successful conference
between the friends of Odell and Plat
in New York on Sunday The proba-
bility of a fight between the two men
on the eve of 4 national election e>.-
cited great deal OF apprehension on
the part of the presidents friends.
Six months ago they had reconciled
themselves to the prospects of losing
New York Wall street luminosity, it
was believed, would cost the RepubIi-
cans the state.
OF late. however. the anti-Roosevelt
feeling among the big financial men
has materially weakened. The merger
decision seemed to show he was acting
within his legal rights in beginning
the litigation. and there had come to
be an understanding that the presi-
dent was at no time disposed to en-
gage in an indiscriminate or absurd
attack on any and all combinations of
capital.
Since the holidays the idea has been
constantly growing that there was
more than an even chance of carrying
New York for Roosevelt. provided har-
monious efforts were made to conduct
the campaign on practical principles.
The fight between Dave Hill and Muir
ply encouraged Republicans still
more, and Roosevelt stock in New
York state, according to members OF
congress here, had begun to show q
decided upward tendency until the
fight between O6en and Platt broke
out again. when it was at once as
serted that unless peace could be pro-
claimed and maintained between the
governor and senator, it would be a
waste of time trying to carry New
York for the Republican ticket.
Present indications are that the peace
4
Sunday night is at least good until
after next election. Oden and Plat
will never trust each other again, but
the division of power in the manage
nent Of the next campaign has been so
Ekillfully arranged that both sides are
satisfied
Odeu becomes chairman of the state
central committee. This is an important
post, because New York is the presi-
dents home state. and a Republican
majority there would be a great per-
Eonal triumph for Colonel Roosevelt.
Odeu could have been made chairman
OF the committee without Platt's as
sistance, but it would have been accom-
pIished only after a bitter fight in the
convention next month. which would
have left enough scars to have cost the
Republicans the state On the other
hand, Platt's man, William Barnes, jr.,
of Buffalo, will be chairman of the ex-
ecutiYe committee He will have his
hand on the throttle and disburse the
funds, and through him Platt will re-
tain his hold upon the inner mechanism
Of the state machine. Platt saved De-
pew's scalp. at least for the present. and
Will retain his own position as the lead
CT of New York Republicans.
More than that. Platt retains his
control Of the railroad commission.
Odell promised him absolutely that he
win reapDOint Platts man Baker, and
the result viii be considerable
strengthening of Platt's personal power
in the state. because he has always
ruled through his control of railroad
influence. With the commission in his
own hand he will be ready at any and
all times to exert pressure upon the
railroads. and. through them. all di-