New-York tribune., 1905-11-23
OUT FOR HALPlN'S PLACE.
-FOUR ALREADY IN FIGHT
Candidates for Presidency of Repab-
lean COuntu Committee.

Four candidates have entered the field for
president of the Republican County Committee.
II promises TO be an open fight, and there were
indications last night that others than the four
named may enter the race William Halpin.
the present incumbent. is candidate for re-
election. Congressman J. Van Vetchen olcott
has been in the field for several days. Last night
Congressman Herbert Parsons announced his
candidacy. and William c. Wilson. leader OF the
27th district. said that Gherardi Davis would be
a candidate.
Ex-Governor Odeu chairman Of the state
Committee at Republican headquarters
yesterday. but he had nothing 10 add 70 what
he has already said He went to Newburg at
o'clock but will return to-day. Senator Platt
saw and talked with number of leaders at his
office, but he had nothing to say about the sit
uation.
Herbert Parsons entered the field with vigor
last night. He went to his headquarters at the
Madison Square Republican Club. and after talk
ing with Assemblyman Prentice. Alderman
Sturgis and other of his friends he issued the
following statement:
have consented to be a candidate for president
or the County Committee and chairman of itS
executive committee upon the understanding that
am not the candidate of any faction OF the party.
Republicans of the county are entitled TO a man
agement of the committee which is responsive to
the opinions and wishes of the voters of this
county, without dictaton from outside; and to the
side interference A number of prominent Repub-
licans having these views have asked to be
Personally I had hoped and preferred that some
and who was sufficiently ia miIiar with conditions
and whose ability and character were known
that ne would command respect, would be selected
as the candidate. and consulted many prominent
Republicans in the endeavor to choose such man.
1 have had two conferences with Congressman
present and told him that intended to become
a candidate Each of believes that reorgani-
Of he / i
am elected know would have his support and I
certainly would aid him if he should be elected
There many Republicans. however. who want a
candidate of whom association with neither OF the
have become candidate and ask the support os
all Republicans in the county who share my views
After issuing the above statement, Mr. Par
sons talked frankly about the situation. Hs
said that he believed the local Republicans could
settle their troubles without the aid OF any
eminent countrymen,' meaning Ex-Governor
Odell Senator Platt and others. He declared
that he was absolutely free and that he would
be the candidate of no faction. His district was
the only one in the city to give a Republican
plurality in the last campaign, and he SAID thaC
he believed, under his leadership, a wise, eft1-
cient and effective organization could be built
up in the city. He had nothing to say about Mr..
Halpin Mr. OIcott or Mr. Davis and declared
he would Loyalty support whoever was elected.
indicating at the same time that he believed ne
would win.
The contest for chairman of the county
mittee does not seem to be confined to the dis
trCt leaders. While thaFe are thirtyHsiI execu-
tive members of the county committee, there
are seven hundred four members of ths
full committed Each member has vote y
district leader 10 supposed control hia district
5eIeetion hut il is said that in MANY districts
the delegations are split and that the lenders
cannot control them The friends Of Mr. OiCOtt
npuort that they haze 3fll members OF the full
committee pledged Mr.. Parsons says that b
has just started his campaign, but that az Tue
finish he will have a plurality or V0IeS MI
Davis will probably make his attitude known
to-day.