New-York tribune., 1905-11-18
OLCOTT A CANDIDATE.
PLOT. SLY HALPIN UEN.
Senator Plat Partly Hithdralcs
Opposition to Governor.


formally announced himself a candidate for
the presidency of the county committee to
succeed William Hapin.
Mr. Halpin's friends assert that the opposi-
ton 10 his reelection is inspired by Thomas
F. Ryan and that the underlying reason TOT
II is plot on the part Of the Ryan interests
to have control of the Board Of Aldermen aS
we'll as a strong foothold at Albany. thus CIV
ing Mr. Ryan q strategic position IN traet''il
affairs and making It certain that future SUD
ways viii be built by the Ryan Metropohta1'
interests
Senator Platt last night at the Gotham
Hotel made it clear that he Is not antagonistic
to Governor Higgins. The friends OF state
Chairman Oden say that this is an indication
that Senator Platt win try TO enlist Governor
Higgins to the contest for sontrol or the Re-
publican organization in the city and State
seven or eight district leaders called on Sena~
tor Platt yesterday. The Senator spent a good
part of the day in conference with ex-Congress-
man L. E. Quigg and William Barnes. jr-. plan
ming the campaign for the capture OF the Re-
publican county organization in December and
the work of opposing State Chairman odell
throughout the State afterward.
Congressman Olcott's statement. announcing
his candidacy. follows;
If my friends in the Republican organization
believe that my services as president Of the
county committee in the existing situation car
be avaiied of with better results than those OF
others who might be considered. 1 shall not re
sist their views | have always been an active
Republican. but would not select myself to be
president of the county committee. The requests
that have come to me since election day, now
ever have been many, and have come from
Republicans so high in the esteem Of the party
and the people that i do not feel it right to set
VI, my personal preferences against their Judg-
ment. IL, therefore. 1 am voted for by ma
jority of the members of the committee. shall
accept the office.
Senator Platt was seen at the Hotel Gotham.
In 0th-ave. his winter home. and asked If he
knew that Congressman Olcott had announced
his candidacy for the county committee.
Yes" said the Senator; Il saw Mr.. Olcott
to-day and know all about it. think there -
no doubt about his election as Haipin's sue
cessor"
rs it true Senator. that Mr. olcott is the
Presidents choice for the head of the county
committee?' Mr.. Platt was asked
Mr.. Olcott was discussed along with others
and the President liked the looks Of him better
than any one else said Mr.. Platt.
Does your plan of reorganization extend TO
Brooklyn?
1T certainly does said Mr.. Platt.
How does Woodruff stand: Is he with you
II haven't seen Mr.. Woodruff for some time
He wrote me a few days ago. saying ne was
coming to Washington in December to looN
after his lame ducks
Does the scope of the reorganization take III
the entire state?
Not lust now The first thing is the reorgani-
zatton of the county committee The other
( things can wait.
..rr recant interview, YOU we're quoted as say
inc Won were unalterably opposed to the renom-
;,o+;op of Governor Higgins. and that you would
ornose him to the last. and YOU gave various
reasons for your attitude. Do you still MAINTAIN"
that attitude?" he was asked
'T have partially withdrawn that opposition
said Mr.. Platt-
..Yo, we're quoted in interviews given at Wash
ington and in this city predicting the re-elec-
tion of Mayor Mcclellan it was suggested.
~ never gave any such interviews" said Mr.
Platt
Were you for Ivins?
81 sat on back seat and told the boys to
oo If g" said Senator PIatt with broad smile
Several district leaders called on you TO-
dav Did YOU receive assurances Of their sup
mort in the contest for control Of the county
committee?"
.Some of them gave assurances and some OF
them were extremely reticent. Some of them
talked freely about Halpin.
The Senator's callers yesterday included ex-
Congressman Quigg. William Barnes. jr.' Post
master Wilcox and the following district lead
William II. len Eyth JOhh l. "AiAuDtPA''
Frank Raymond, Charles B. Page. Isaac New
man Edwin F. Merwin Louis ]. Hoeninger and
Herman Joveshof Senator Elsberg called the
Senator rp on the telephone and told him ne
would call on Monday. and Tax Commissioner
Strasbourger told a Tribune reporter last night
that he too would the Senator on MONDAY
William Barnes jr., chairman of the State
Executive Committee is still in town: II was
said late last night that he would stay here
for week or two and manage the campaign
against Mr. Halpin. State Chairman odell has
called a meeting Of the district leaders at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel for Monday.
Tax Commissioner Strasbourger, close per
soraI friend of Mr.. Odell. who said last night
that he was going to see Senator Piatt on Mon
day, when asked II he against the re-
election OF President Halpin. said:
l am strongly for Mr. Halpins reelection.
So are practically all Of the district leaders
with whom l have talked | know that he
las worked like Trojan for the last two
years get the organization in this county
in better fighting trim, and believe in hon
oring man who does his best In trying posi-
ton such as the he occupies. If he is
removed from the presidency of the county
committed there is good reason. TO fear that
the work that he and Ex-Governor Odell have
done in indexing the voting population OF this
city, thus strengthening the hands OF the State
Superintendent OF Elections and making it
impossible for Tammany 10 vote thousands or
repeaters and foaters, will all be lost am
not saying anything against former presidents
of tn county committee. but I do say that the
present policy of the Republican organization
In this city is one OF uncompromising hostility
toward Tammany Hail. while in former years
the policy of the organizat tion usually was one
OF subserviency to Tarnmany Hall
The present policy followed up for three or
four years viii turn this city over TO the Re
pubcans who by that time will be in posi-
tion 10 demonstrate I'm this city. as they are
doing i'm the State and nation. that the Repub
ican party is the best qualified to govern.
Halpin was overruled several times IN the last
campaign by the district leaders outToting him
He ,cas right in each Instance and the district