Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-22
Against President and
Gov. Higgins, New York,
Say They Deliberately Tried
to Wreck State Party
For Own Personal Ambition. People Will
Stand by the President.

.
Il. Odell, Jr., chairman of the Republic
can state committee, made a statement
today in which he charged President
Roosevelt and Gov. Higgins with de-
liberate attempt to wreck the Repub-
lican party of this state for their own
personal ambitions. He declared that
if disaster ensued they, not he, will be
responsible.
Mr.. Odelrs accusations were q part
of Eis comment on the situation grow
ing out Of the contest in the Republic
can party in this state for the speaker
ship for the New York state Assem-
bly,.
MIR. Odell declared himself in favor of
f.. A. Merritt, Jr. several days ago. On
Monday last Gov. Higgins came out in
favor of j. w. Wordsworth, Jr. Mr.
Odcll said today:
Il notice that Gov. Higgins said he
never was for Merritt. Shortly after
election l went to Gov. Higgins and
asked whom he favored for speaker. He
eliminated all but Merritt and said that
neither New York nor Buffalo could
have it because it would stir up oppo-
sitiOn against the cities. asked him if
Merritt would be satisfactory to him
and he asked me to see Mr.. Merritt and
ask him some questions. I saw Merritt
and reported to the governor and he
said he was satisfied. T clearly under
stood he was for Merritt and was new
e1 so surprised as when he switched his
trolley.
''This is the worst case of duplicity i'm
politics 1 have ever known. Merritt is
absolutely right in saying that the gov
ernor agreed to support him. He offered
to the governor to stay out of the con-
test if the governor wanted him to
do so.
Led by the collarless and coatless
young man who took us all to defeat in
1891 apparently referring to j. Sloat
FassetD William S. Barnes, Jr, Col.
George w. Dunn and others with sore
thumbs, visited Washington and stirred
up all this trouble. If President Roose-
welt had the good of the party at heart
ana l would have been glad to center
with him for the sake of obtaining har-
mony I'm the party. If that had been
done all this trouble would have been
avoided without warfare.
Il charge Mr.. Roosevelt and Gov.
Higgins with deliberately trying to
wreck the party in this state for their
own personal ambitions. If this means
party disaster they, and not l and my
friends, are responsible. They and not
l am to blame.
$50 far as gratitude is concerned Gov.
Higgins certainly owed me something
Instead Of putting out the hands of
friendship he chose to throw stones at
those who have been his friends. Hig-
gins could have told me that he did not
want me nor Merritt to be in this af-
fair, but instead he throws stones. II
the President wanted reform l was
friendly and they could have had it. I
charge him and Gov. Higgins with in
jeCting their personality into this mat
ter. Their harmony consists of knock
ing
''They had time to write letters in
support of District Attorney Jerome in
the last city election but never said u
word for Investigations. There was no
cause for friction. Mr.. Halpin CHAIR
man of the county Republican commit
tee was willing to go to Washington
ana see the President. They have done
the damage and will have to take the
consequences.
''The President sent for Olcutt for-
mcrly candidate for chairman of the
New York county Republican commit
tec) and threw him down."
Speaking of the candidacy of Con-
gresham Herbert Parsons for preSi-
dent of the New York county COM
mittee. Mr.. Odell said Parsons
idea of party harmony is to throw
bricks at my friends. The trouble was
due to Mr.. Fassett. We are in for
harmony if we have to fight for it.
Il make the prediction that Wads-
worth will not be elected Speaker. We
will put him out
Speaking of conference of Republic
can members of the Assembly called to
meet at the Cadillac Hotel tomorrow.
Mr.. Odell said:
Fifteen or 20 members of the AS
sembly got. together and decided to
have the management l suggested to
them not to bother me about it. There
was great deal of resentment among
the older members of the Assembly"
Mr.. Odell said he did not know
whom the Higgins following will sup
port for state chairman.
rs it Fassett?" was asked
Il hope So" said Mr.. Oder.
J. w. Wadsworth, the governor.
called for Speaker. was asked how he
regarded Senator Malbv's hint at the
impeachment proceedings against Gov
Higgins.
Il do not regard it seriously" he
said.