Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-16
EX-GOVERNOR ODELL
TO BE ELIMINATED FROM REPUB-
LICAN LEADERSHIP.

Washington last night, announced In The
Star yesterday afternoon, is expected to
have future bearing upon the reorganiza-
ton of the party in that state Ultimately
the reorganization will probably take the
form of the elimination of Benjamin b.
Odell from the leadership of the republican
party of New York
1t Is not an easy thing to depose boss.
Mr.. Odell holds his position by virtue of
his craftsmanship of the republican state
committee, to which he was elected at the
last state convention. There are thirty
eight members of the committee one for
each congressional district and one at
large, which since war times has been held
by a colored man. The incumbent is Chas.
Anderson, whom President Roosevelt made
collector Of internal revenue.
Unless Mr.. Odell resigns voluntarily.
which 1t is thought he is not likely to do,
or unless President Roosevelt brings pres
sure to bear on the committee to force him
out which Is considered improbable, the
boss will keep his place until the state con-
Vention meets at Saratoga next September.
when the delegates will choose new COM
mitteemen, and 1t is a safe wager that
they will be stacked against Mr.. Odel
In the meantime, however, it is possible
to shear the boss of some of his perquisites,
which means depriving him of power and
prestige, and that Is what was attempted
at last nights conference. Appointments
are to be made to the offices of United
States district attorney and United states
marshal. Senator Plat asked the appoint
ment of Mr.. Robert Morris as district at
torney and the reappointment OF Marshal
Henkel. If he gets them 1t will be a
declara ton that Senator Platt is again on
top in New York politics, and that Boss
Odelrs recommendation does not go.
Among the prominent republicans who
came to Washington last night was Will
RarneS ir of Albany. who is SDOttel
as one of the rising republicans of the day
In New York state He is a grandson of
Thurlow Weed. the great leader of olden
days, and is at present chairman of the
executive committee of the state central
committee. His career for the past four
years is familiar to many readers of The
Star through dispatches from Saratoga and
Albany. He is young, ambitious. clever
politician, straight as a string, and is liked
by President Roosevelt.
Some of Mr. Barnes friends will urge
him for the state Craftsmanship when Odell
goes out and it is probable he will be quite
prominent in the list of those who dis
cussed for that place.
Political Funeral of Odell.
Senator Platt spent several hours with
President Roosevelt last night, his theme
being the funeral dirge of Odell. Today he
joined Secretary Root at the State Depart
ment and the nature of the proposed obse-
quieS were again discussed. With unusual
precaution Senator Platt declines to dis
cuss what the President and Mr. Root said
to him what he said to the President,
but he rubS his hands in profound sausfac-
tion that the who laid him up on the
shelf several years ago is now supposed to
be in fiji condition for oblivion himself. And
Senator Platt will reveal only by degrees
just what Will be done or what part the
President or Secretary Root will take in.
the proposed reorganization OF the New
York county and state republican machines.
AT the White House today the real ques-
ton of Governor Odell,s future connection
with his party is carefully evaded and 1t
is pointed out that the New York governor
has nothing to 90 with federal patronage
anyhow, and never has had. All federal
patronage is at the disposition of senators,
it is pointed out, and the state chairman
is not taken into consideration. In the
future Senators Platt and Depew will make
recommendations to the President, and he
will act upon them as he does upon recon-
mendations from all senators.
The intimation Is quite clear, however,
that IN federal patronage matters the ad>
minstration will not bother with Governor
Odell, and will treat with Senator Platt
and Senator Depew. In view of the fact
that Governor Odell was the real power
In New York year or so ago and his
views consulted this plainly marks his
disappearance in at least one direction.
AS the effort for the deposition of Odell in
New York the administration will. Off
cially at least take no part Whatever
the friends of Secretary Root and the Pres
ident do cannot be charged to these two
men, and it is intimated that there will
begin a fight all along the line for the elm
ination of Odell from leadership.
The Root and Roosevelt men in the state
will be at the head Of this effort. Secretary
Root is given credit for desiring to have
the state organization pass into the hands
of his immediate friends, as they want to be
in position to command the delegation for
him for President three years from now and
to nominate successful candidates for state
officers between now and then. They fear
that with Odell continuing in charge there
will be revolution In the state that will
give the democrats charge at the very time
Root wants to have affairs In good shape
for his presidential prospects