New-York tribune., 1905-11-24
PLATT URGES OLCOTT.
PRAISE FOR PRISONS.
No Wish to Resume Precisely His
old Responsibilities. "

zation While Congressman Herbert Parsons
only entered the race forty-eight hours ago. he
has shown a great deal of strength and many
politicians last night We're inclined to believe
that he would be the winner Candidates con-
tinue to crop up William Halpn the present
chairman, is still in the field: the friends OF
Congressman j. Van Vechten Ocott are
ceptonally confident; Mr.. Parsons has made
great strides; last night ex-Assemblyman
Gheradi Davis entered the race and there is
talk that General E. y. McAlpin may become
candidate
There was conference of the friends OF Mr..
olcott In the rooms of Senator Platt at the
Hotel Gotham last night This conference was
called by Senator Platt. There were several at
the conference who stated frankly that they
would support Halpin. Others were non-con-
initial. but the majority were for Olcott. Among
those present We're Senator Platt LemueI F.
Quigg. William Barnes. jr, Robert c. Morris,
Congressman Olcott and w NJ K Olcott The
following district leaders were present: Van
Cott of the 9Th; March, 9th: Rosalsky Sth
Eidman, 10th; Joveshof, 18th; Wanamaker
10th; Henkel, 18TH Gilman. 10Th; Gruber. 21st
Gunner 28th; Raymond. 33d; Reisenweber,
18th; Windolph. 11th; Newman. sd: Pegnam,
18th; Hackett, eth. and Neal of the Both
Senator Platt opened the conference by saying
that he thought the time had come when all
local Republicans should get together and try
TO do something to redeem the local organiza-
ton. He said that he believed every one should
speak freely. adding: And I suppose 1 might
as well start the discussion by reading you the
following statement which I have prepared and
which intend to give to the papers:
Senator Platt goes to Washington Saturday
to attend the opening Of Congress. In his state
ment he said
Before leaving for Washington there is a word
| ike 10 say IN tha
cans of New-York. high and low and of every
shade of party sentiment.
am too old man to wish to resume pre-
cisely those hard and trying responsibilities
which was once able and glad to discharge
but there is one duty at least that remains
to me- and believe il TO be in equal degree the
duty of every Republican Who wants his party
to be successful In thig state, or hereafter.
haVa Bean too much abused myself to take
any pleasure in joining in an outCry and carnor
against any other man merely because 1t is pop
ulaT to do so. and / shall not say one word OF
personal Ill will toward Mr. OdelL The party
organization throughout the State has been
transformed from a solid compact well drilled
and effective army into weak. dtgoor1ant dis
satisfied body, lacking confidence In itself and
distrustfuI of its leadership
The sole object of my activity in the New
York County situation is the recovery TO the
State organization of it's oldtime vigor and quail
ity- Mr. Odelrs retirement win be a necessary
consequence of his loss OF the New York County
machine, and there is not politician with half
an eye who does not see that this has been al
ready accomplished OF course, Mr. Oden will
throw Mr.. Halpin; but that cannot save him
now The choice Of the committee must lie be-
tween Congressman Ocott and some other man
who is as much opposed TO Odell and to county
organization subservient TO Odell as Oicott is
The election OF 0Ir- Parsons would bo Just as
fatal TO the survival of OdeIl's authority
the committee as would Mr.. OIeott'g and be-
tween them personally should have choice
except for two faets-ttrstr that Mr Olcott con-
scented to make the hight When We were looking
for a leader and second that he has much the
larger following The argument that Mr.. Par
sons makes for himself. that he represents the
home rule issue. that he will be independent
of me as OF Odell and that he viii conduct Iha
office irrespective of State or national influence
is weak on this account-that the Republican
party I'm NewYOrk County is a minority party
that it never has had real party opportunity
that IL never has against Tammany, except
by coalitions, which effectively deprived it Of
the fruits of victory and that its organization.
therefore, except through State and national
associations cannot command the resources with
which to wage war against Tammany- Mr.
ParsOnsS programme to stand alone and do
things all by himself is not feasible He would
not be in office overnight before he would be
turning TO the President to Governor Higgins
or to to all for support.
[ advise the election IF Mr.. OlcOtt therefore.
because, being man of equal character. in
egrity. personal independence and good reputa-
tion with Mr.. Parsons. with any other man
that could be named. he had the courage to come
to the front and make this fight possible. The
very announcement of his candidacy sounded
the defeat of HaDfn, or, rather the defeat of
Odell know. moreover, that Mr.. Olcott stands
high In the esteem of President Roosevelt and
hat he has received already assurances % sup
port from many district leaders and dele
gates render his election more generally
popular than would be that OF any other man on
whom the friends of reorganization could con-
,entrate
Three great Republican districts. the stu, ths
10Th 216t are evovyedly f6F him. and
he same sentiment which in those districts
seek reorganization is evidenced in the 23th
he 9TH the Goth and the 31st. by the candl-
lacy of Mr., PARSONS. the candidacy of Mr..
Davis. the resoute opposition OF the Goth te
1dlpn and the declaration OF the 3i5t for home
uIe. All this means the same thing-that these
sreat Republican constituencies demand the
,arty change that 1 have described. This is
he sole purpose of my activity in the matter
There ought TO be no difficulty therefore in
eartily uniting on the right man, and. as be-
ween equal in character. reputation and
'osition. nothing can be clearer than that the
light man Is the one VINO has the largest sup
Ort. Mr.. Olcott has this advantage. His
fdacy is not local. It's support comes from
II over the city. Whether my influence, or
ny other mans, is good one Is not the main
ueston- The service OF good cause always
equires men to harmonic differences in inter
ST and feeling ~ Mr. 0lGott,s character has
hat it will be for the benefit of the party and
0r the strengthening of its organization In
very district,
AT the end of the reading came a discussion
hat was general. The report OF what occurred
as not made public. II is known that some of
lose present said that they believed the time
ad come for the local organization to settle
s own affairs. Some declared they would sup
ort HaIpin- windolph said that ne would vote
IT Haipin if Halpin a candidate. although
3 had urged him not 10 mAks hght for the
lace The conference lasted until late in the
gening.
Herbert Parsons and his friends were excep-
onaliy confident last night. The statement of
overnOr Higgins relating to the candidacy OF
II. Parsons was construed a tacit indorse-
ent OF his position. and this helped wondeET
lily The friends of Congressman OlcOtt said
lat they had about three hundred votes
edged. William Halpin would not discuss the