The Washington times., 1905-12-21
Bitter Attack IS Made
Upon President and
Higgins.
"WADSWORTH2 NEVER"
Enemies Candidate for New
York Speakership Has
No Chance.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2L-Former Gov
srnor Odell came out this morning with
4 formal declaration of war on Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Governor Higgins.
whom he blames for all the present
troubles in the Republican party of this
State.
He declares that Governor Higgins has
been guilty of duplicity and asserts that
II the Republicans lost this State next
gear Roosevelt and Higgins would have
20 bear the blame.
He further predicts that James w.
wadsworth would not be elected speaker
of the assembly.
Duplicity.
Governor Higgins was certainly gull
~ of duplicity.'' said the former gov
ernor. He promised to support Merritt
for speaker and then brought out a
new man. without even consulting any
ether members OF the party.
Soon after election of this year. had
talk with Governor Higgins and asked
him whom he favored for speaker. He
went over the list and eliminated all
except Merritt. He said that he could
not place a man from New York OF
Buffalo in the speakership chair. as it
such power in the Legislature At his
request 1 put questions 10 Merritt and
reported to the governor Merritt's an
swers. Ii was then clearly understood
that Higgins would support Merritt
y was never so much surprised in
nv life as when he came out for Wads-
worth He has switched his trolley
completely. IL is the worst case of du-
nicity in politics that have ever seen
As to the Washington end of the
trouble. coIlarlcss and coatless man
tSloat Fassett who was a candidate for
governor in iS9ll, George W. Dunn. VII
liam Barnes, Jr., and other men W.
sore thumbs went to Washington. saw
the President. and started all this trou-
bic IN order to aid the governor
Should Have Seen Me-
"ff Roosevelt had desired ihe good OF
the party he would have tried to pro-
mote harmony instead of encouraging
the soreheads. II he had sent for me
J would have been glad 10 have con
Ierred with him and do everything to
bring about a spirit of harmony Ii he
had done this the present trouble would
nave been aVerted-
II charge Roosevelt and Higgins with
deliberately trying TO wreck tne party
ambitions II disaster next year comes
10 the party they will be responsible
Their idea of harmony seems To be tc
knock heads.
SO TAR ~ gratitude is concerned.
thing higgins owes me something, bu
instead OF holding out the hand OF
friendship, he threw stones al me anC
Tuy friends He could have had any
thing be wanted from the organization
of the Legislature II ne had asked for II
Cr suggested IL. but he preferred fac
ti0nal warfare and must take the conse
Quenccs.
In conclusion. former Governor Odei
said:
II do not know who will be elected
speaker, but L viii make this prediction
J hat WadswOrth. the Roosevelt Higgin:
candidate, will not be the man"
At the Manhattan Hotel Assembly
Lian WadSwoTth said that he was still
in the race and that the chances of his
winning We're growing brighter everA
day. He expected 10 have a conference
with three or four of the assemblymen.
elect from Brooklyn tins afternoon
ssemblyman Merritt, AT the Murray
Iiill Hotel. sale that there was nothinl
new in the situation. but that he hac
every confidence in his success.