The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-04
SAY HANDS OFF TO ODELL.
LEADERS WANT HIN TO LEAVE
THE LEGISLATURE ALONE.
No Excise Conference, but There's Lots
Of Curl oslty About tho Liquor Dealers
Presentment-Talk OF Raising saloon
Tnx-Caucuses Held at the Capital.


ALsANY, Jan. s.--The arrival OF Senator
Edgar T. Bracket of Saratoga this after
noon was the ono political feature OF the
day In Albany. His presence revived inter-
est In and talk concerning recent Repubh-
can political happenings, especially regard
ing tho future Of Chairman Benjamin B.
Odell IA factor in the Republican State
organization.
Senator Bracket was az 1trioBc az ever
In his remarks concerning his former politi-
cal chief Odel Senator Braokett's vitu-
perahon OF Odell led prominent Republican
and an old and stanoh friend Of Senator
Thomas G. Platt who was sitting on a settee
in the Ten Eyck, to recall a conversation
he had had with Senator Plat last spring
just before Mr. Odell succeeded in turning
Col. George ". Dunn out IA chairman u
the Republican State committee. This
Republican had a chat with Senator Patt
in New York at that time and remarked
20 the Senator: You have seen dynasties
rise and dynasties fall, and yet you have
stayed on doing business at the old stand
yes quickly replied Mr. Plat. 1
have seen dynasties rise and some OF them
de-nasty.-
he did not believe that Senator Platt ever
saw "A dynasty die-nastier than that of
Odell's.
just how much influence Mr.. Odell IL to
exert in the councils Of the party hereafter
was question about which there was wide
difference OF opinion. The general senti-
ment was. however. it would Ia unwise to
afford MIR Odell much latitude.
ri 4 81. 4
approval on all sides and that was that
Mr. Odell as chairman Of the Republican
State committee. should not be permitted
to come 10 Albany at all this winter while
the Legislature ia in session nor 20 influence
legislation either of party or of private
nature.
In fact. IL was the cor sansuA Of opinion
among those Republican leaders who have
the interest Of the party Mt heart that even
If Mr. Odell is permitted to continue as
chairman of tho State committee his powers
and duties should be definitely ana strictly
Circumscrihed
There was much irresponsible talk to-
dav about excise matters. Gov Higgins
Lieut.. Gov. Bruce and speaker Nixon all
said they had not received from either
, District Attorney Jerome or Judge Cowau
the recent pres eminent Of the New York
county Grand jury relative 10 the enter
tainnent of members Of the Legislature by
the representatives of the Liquor Dealers
Association last winter. The evidence ON
which the presentment was made has not
been made known, This nuch is known.
however. that there will be no indictment
found hy the Albany county Grand Jury
at this term of the Supreme Court. II i
understood that there is nothing upon
which % return an indictment upon the
preSentmeut found by District Attorney
Jerome.
ONO zpbo amman rel IN Luow v-hnt 10 v.as
talking about seemed tO think that the
action Of the Grand jury vas only initiatory
District Attorney AdolinEton Of Albany
has not seen the testimony. although he
talked with District Attorney Jerome about
the matter. There Is considerable curiosity
on the part Of mBny members of the Legisl-
lature 10 learn the details Of the testimony
There was no conference on excise mat
ters here to-day in which Gov. Higgins
took part Chairman HaIpin having re-
turned to New York when hc learned that
his political chief Mr. Odell, had deserted
him without notice.
Gov Higgins talked with n number Of
members Of the Legislature to-day regard
ing the condition of state finances. The
indirect revenues are considerably below
the annual expenditure. although there 's
a sufficient surplus i'm the treasury 'O carry
things along for a couple 81 vear- move.
II seems TO he the general opinion among
Republican leaders that Nithin two or three
wears direct tax will have 10 he resorted
10 il the barge canal pre- jeCt proceeds along
nrrsout lines There y talk also II still
furthe increasing the excise licenses.
The Republicans and Democrats ~ the
two branches Of the Legislature met in
caucus tonight 20 select candidates for