New-York tribune., 1905-12-19
ROGERS OUT OF FIGHT.
~
ODELL MEETING TO-DAY.
MaLby and Merritt to Consult E1-
Gouernor on Speakership.

ana others at me F1tLn Avenue ftOtel
from the speakership contest. 1t is said that
they viii throw their support to James W.
Wadsworth, jr.. whose candidacy was an
nounced yesterday by Governor Higgins.
The possibility of a vigorous contest over the
Speakersfip OF the Assembly and the control Of
the county committee of New-York County de-
pends the result of a conference to-day at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel between State Chairman
Odell, Senator George r. Malby and Assembly,
man Edwin A. Merit jr. If Assemblyman
Merritt. after consulting State Chairman Odell,
decides to make a fight for the Speakership, he
will have the hacking of Mr. Odell and his
friends
If Mr.. Merritt decides not to make any con-
test. then Assemblyman James W. Wadsworth,
jr., OF livingston County, named yesterday by
Governor Higgins for the Speakership, will be
elected to that office, probably without any con-
test, as all the other candidates disposed to
withdraw from the race.
If there is a fight over the Speakership, and
control of the State organization is taken away
| from State Chairman Oden, there is a strong
probability that Colonel George W. Dunn, of
Binghamton, will succeed Ex-Governor Odel as
State chairman.
State Chairman Odell sent word to friends in
| town last night that ne mould be at State head
| quarters to day. Senator Malby and Assembly
Merritt are due here this forenoon. All
the members of the. Legislature known to be
either strong sadherents of Governor Higgins or
the state chairman are due in town. having
been summoned for the general roundup.
Assemblyman Wadsworth sent word that he
would be at the Hotel Manhattan to-day to
stay here for a week two if necessary. until
the question of the Speakership is settled
The Wadsworth men said last night that there
would be such a showing of strength to-day at
the Hotel Manhattan in behalf Of Assemblyman
Rogers that the Merritt would give in
Some of those who will take part in the confer
ence, it was said last night are Colonel George
w. Dunn, ex-Congressman L. E. Quigg, Con-
gresham ]. Sloat Fassett, Congressman Wads
worth, father of the candidate; Assembyman
Moreland, Assemblyman Cox, Congressman
Parsons, the anti-OdeH candidate for president
of the county committee, and various federal
and State officials
Colonel Dunn returned last night from Wash
ington, where yesterday afternoon he had
| luncheon with the President. When he reached
the Fifth Avenue Hotel last night there were
waiting for him Congressman John w. Dwight,
Assenlblyman Moreland. of Chemung, and AS
semblyman Cox, of Buffalo. At about the same
time Assemblyman James T. Rogers, of Bing-
hampton, reached the hotel
Following the conference al the hotel, presided
over by, Colonel Dunn. the Colonel at II
o'clock said:
'Assemblymen Rogers and Moreland have
withdrawn from the Speakership race. In view
of the repeated declarations of President Roose-
welt and other leading Republicans that for the
welfare of the party it is necessary that there
should be a thorough reorganization in this
State such as has already been begun in this
city and in view of the excellent character and
standing of the candidate for Speaker suggested
by Governor Higgins, Mr.. Rogers and MI More
land have withdrawn from the race, and
nounce their hearty sympathy with the plans for
reform suggested by Governor Higgins and
others.
1t was learned last night that Congressman
Wadsworth, father OF Assemblyman Wads-
worth came to New-York Monday of last
week and conferred with State Chairman OdeH.
At that time he suggested that Governor Hig-
gins and others would be willing TO unite on
AssembIyman Wadsworth for the Speakership.
1t was said last night by the Odell men that the
State chairman told Congressman Wadsworth
that while he had the greatest respect for the
Assemblyman he could not see his way clear to
indorsing him for the Speakership urge his
friends in the legislature to do so
In view of the statement OF State Chairman
OdelI on Friday of last week, before starting for
his home in Newburg that he thought that Gov
ernor Higgins ought to have the naming of the
Speaker, it was predicted last night by the
support any one in opposition t the Governors
choice On the other hand. the State chair
mans friends said last night that he being
crowded to the wall and that he must fight
be retired from the cha1rmensnjp of the State
committee.
1t was said by the State chairmans friends
that he had conceded the presidency of the
county committee to Congressman Parsons, in
the hope that it would end the attacks on him
FI,-r,
ever by his adversares and that it now is
question of fight to the last abjectly sur
render on this hypothesis ii was predicted by
the OdelI men that there would be bitter fight
for control of the county committee on Thursday
night of this week. Congressman Parsons has
been agreed on as the candidate for president,
and it is assumed that he will also be the chair
man of the executive committee.
This was much the friends of the State
chairman were willing to concede to him. They
had planned to re-elect Tax Commissioner
Strasbourger as vice-president of the committee
and Ambrose O. Neal as secretary. Mr. Par
sons says that in order to have his policies up
held in the committee he wants Senator Alfred
r. Page for vce-president and Henry E.
O'Brien of his own district organization as sec
retary of the committee. This has created a
clean cut issue for the control of the committee
and the election OF Thursday night promises to
be spirited
The Odell men were in bad humor last night
If they carry out their plan of battle, they will
advance the argument to-day that the election
of Mr. Wadsworth for Speaker will be victory
for the Ryan interests in this city. They allege
that Mr. Wadsworth and Payne Whitney mar
ried sisters. and that the influences which pro-
mugated the candidacy of Congressman Olcott
for the presidency OF the committee are back of
Mr. Wadsworth, and that the aim sought is
prestige with the State organization for the
Ryan interests both in this city and at Albany.