New-York tribune., 1905-11-22
HIGGINS THE MYSTERY.
HIS ATTITUDE Il PUZZLE.
Plat and OdeU Say They Have
AdUantage an Fight.

The contest beteween Senator PIatt and ex-
Governor Odell for control Of the Republican
county committee has caused the greatest ac-
tivity in the local Republican camp. Chairman
Odeu at headquarters yesterday saw and talked
with many leaders The Odell leaders conf
IDENTIFY assert that they still hold the winning
position In the contest. Senator Patt and hi.
friends equally confident in their asser-
tons that they will win in December. The
greatest interest is being manifested in all quar-
ters TO what Governor Higgins will do
Senator Platt at his Office yesterday
morning just before starting for the City Hall TO
appear witness before the insurance COM
mittee. When asked about the Governor Hig-
gins interview in Washington, he said, 1ok-
ingly:
Have you read 1t carefully? Well, if you
have, you know just as much now you knew
before he gave it out. 1t is essentially Hig-
ginesque."
DO you think that the President will favor
some other candidate than Mr.. Olcott or Mr..
Halpin?" was asked
= Il do not know" said the Senator "AlI can
say is that the President assured he wanted
q clean. able, high class man, and you can rest
assured such a man Will be elected president of
the county committee. I believe that Mr. Oh
colt fills these conditions
Mr. Ode1l talkatve than usual He
quoted at length in the evening papers
and later when asked if these interviews were
correct he read one report and said We'll. that
is about as near as the newspapers usually get
things" When asked if he would make any
corrections. he said. mo, let it go at that"
Mr. OdeH was asked at the outset If he had
heard of the visit of Governor FIggiIs to the
President and replied
"I have read the Washington news. have
read about the President being solicitous about
the political conditions in New-York. My COM
ment is this: If the President does not think
that Mr.. Halpin sizes up chairman of the
county committee he should send for Mr Hal
pin, and ask him to retire. IF he adopted that
course I have no doubt that Mr.. Halpin would
al once acquiesce. I sure he would That
Is the way would go about it if I were Presi-
dent and desired change in the chairmanshlp
of the county committee. I would ask Mr.. Hal
pin to get out, and I would not get up fac
tional quarrel. quarrel will not help reorgani-
cation.
However. do not know just what the Presi-
dent desires. I have not been invited to Wash
ington to consult with him. Senator Platt has
stated that the President desires the election of
]. Van Vechten Olcott as president of the
county committee. Governor Higgins declares
that the President is not for any particular
man. I cannot tell, therefore. what the Presi-
dent wants.
is it true that Governor Higgins would be
with Senator Platt in a factional fght?' was
asked.
1T is Governor Higginss privilege to take
sides as he pleases," Mr.. Oden replied "I have
not discussed the matter with him"
do you think there is anything in the reports
that Thomas F. Ryan is backing Platt in this
fight to get control of the Republican Board of
Aldermen" was asked.
"T not in a thinking mood to-day" was
| the reply.
What is the matter with Mr.. Barnes. of AL
bany?" was asked.
Ambition that's ALL"
But" was suggested. "NTr Barnes is saying
in his paper every day that he does not want
the State craftsmanship; he casts aside the
crown"
"SC did Julius Caesar" Mr.. Odell replied you
know what happened to Caesar. He got it In the
neck"
Tax Commissioner Strasbourger said yester-
day that he could not understand why the move
ment begun by the Republicans of the 31st AS
senbly District for the autonomy of the county
committee should persistentIy be referred to as
an Odell movement or strategy unless 1t was
to discredit il. He declared most emphaticaIly
that neither Senator Platt nor Ex-Governor
Odell had anything TO do with the movement
He insisted that the movement will not recog-
nize any faction candidate of any faction for
chairman of the county committee. He con-
tinued:
For the purpose of Strengthening the Republ-
can party, which is the sole object in view, it
is just important to obliterate factions it is
for the Republicans of New-York City in county
affairs to have home rule. Mr.. Olcott, having
been made factional candidate, and 1t being the
general belief that he is Quigg's man. seems an
impossibility chairman. Quigg has said for
four years that he is Of politics. and the peo-
pie know that he is in the employ of the Met
ropolitan Street Railway Company. They are
in hunor to be led by any such interest.