The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-11-21
There is Chance For Reform
in New York.
WINS MAY BE NEW LEADER
Both Platt and odelI Likely to OPP
pose-His Force and Ability as
Shown in the Recent
Campaign.

New York, Nov. 21.- Eek Governor
Odell last evening met the local Repub-
lican leaders TO prepare for the new war
which Senator Platt has declared against
him. Odell has by no means lost his
hold on the local Republican machine
and there is little doubt that he will
once more down Platt. He win not in
sist, however, in keeping William Hal
pin at the head Of the Republican coun-
ty committee. He acknowledges the JUS
tice Of many Of the complaints against
Halpin, and will probably select anoth-
er man to make the fight against j. Van
Vachten 0lcott, Platt's candidate for
chairman. Halpin was responsible for
the farcical fusion conferences in 0cto-
Der and to him, more than anybody else,
was due the breaking up OF the fusion
movement. A movement against 0dell
at this time might be serious propo-
sition ii it were headed by the right
sort of leader. There is undoubtedly
a strong feeling against the governor
in the Republican party, and his testi-
mony before the insurance investigating
tQttAiBlttfr last 8GtlA WIS 4iOt tttQ2tlItf
satisfactory even to his friends. But
everybody recognizes Platt's move as an
effort to regain the bossship, and every
body knows that Platt, in his day Of
power, was more selfish and unscrup-.
ulous boss than Odell Not one pronii-
nent Republican outside of the machine
forces has SO far responded to Platts
appeal, and the general feeling il that
ii there must be q choice between the
two bosses the younger one Is prefer
able.
There is chance that some real re-
form movement may come out Of this
fractional quarrel Many Republicans
are hoping that both bosses may be
weakened by the fight and that the
late Republican candidate for mayor,
William NJ. WINS, may somehow come
to the front as party reorganizer. W.
ms made strong impression on the
local Republicans during the campaign.
He led q forlorn hope in a mastery
way and showed rare ability as q po-
litical organizer. He proved, too, that
lie was absolutely independent Of ma
chine dictation. II he should take the
craftsmanship OF the county committee,
the Republicans would have a local or.
ganization that would command the
respect Of the whole party. Mr.. Innis
is not inclined 10 fight for the place,
however, nor il either Platt 81 OdeIl
inclined to accept his service. They
know that he would not take orders
under any circumstances. Still, it is
regarded as possible that the better
element Of the party may rise up while
the factionists are fighting and that
the bosses may be forced to put at
the head of the local organization a
man Of the stamp Of wins. Few per-
sons outside Of the ofiiceholders care
whether platt or Odell wins, but the
great mass Of Republican voters Of the
city would be deeply interested in a.
move to establish q clean, respectable |
organization. Platt's frequent asser-
tions that President Roosevelt is back |
of him in this fight against OdelI are
not credited. The president has always
kept his hands of. in local fights here
and nobody who knows him believes
that he would support movement to
restore Platt to power.