Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-01-05
eoodby, Bonnie,

Two notable events happened last
week, one in pugilism, the other in pol
itics-Bob Fitzsimmons was eliminated
from the ring and Ex-Governor Benja-
min B. Odell of New York was elimi-
mated from politics. Bob accepts the
inevitable and retires with the good
will of the American people. BE says
he was fairly trounced and that youth
will be served. Benjamin is bad
loser ana makes a mighty roar->a roar
which will not bring him any sympa-
thy or make him a friend. His eoaduct
as governor, boss and chairman Of the
state committee has not been such as
to render him popular, Senator Thorn
as Collier Platt, the erstwhile "easy
boss" created Benjamin, and then Ben
jamin, concluding that he was greater
than his creator, unceremoniously roll
ed the seaile Plat. The latter babbled
much In the King Leap strain about
the serpent's tooth. Later on 9deii gre
ated Governor Higgins. Now Higgins,
following Odell's example, concludes
that he also is bigger than his creator
and sends Benjamin to the bottom of
the sea la the late Mr.. AIeGinty. If
Odell were wise he would sc Quietly
about his business selling groceries and
wait for another turn of the wheel, but
he is wFoth and is making the welkin
ring with sermons from the housetops
on the King Lear line. The role does
not become him so well as 1t became
Senator Plat, for both Plat and Lear
were we'll stricken 10 years while de-
liveripg their homilies on ingratit4de,
but Odell Is a ramhunetious man in the
prime Of life. Consequently his lamen-
tations are provocative Of laughteg
rather than of tears.
Evidently Odell in his anger and de-
sire for revenge is in frame Of mind
to follow the example Of Samson in
pulling down the pillars Of the temple.
Inter ALA he remarks:
II President Roosevelt had the good Of
the party at heart he could have Hept for
me at any time, and I would have been
glad to confer with him for the sake OF
obtaining harmony in the party. If that
had been done all this trouble would have
been avoided WITHOUT warfare.
I charge Mr.. Rooseyelt and Governor
Higgins with deliberately trying to wreck
the party in this state for their ewn per-
sonal ambitions. II this means party dis
aster. they, not 7 and my friends. are
responsible. They. and not I, are to
blame.
SO far as gratitude is concerned. Gov.
ernor Higgins certainly owed me some
thing. Instead Of putting out the hand
Of friendship he chooses to threw stones
at those who have been his friends. Hig-
gins could have told me that he did not
but instead he thrpWs stones
II the president wanted reforn, was
friendly. and they could Have had It..
charge him and Governor Higgins with
injecting their personality into this mat
ter. Their harmony consists of knock
support Of District Attorney Jerome in
the last city election. but never said q
word tor Iving There was no cause for
friction. Mr.. Halpip, chairman of the
couaty Republican committee, was willing
to go to Washington and see the press:
dent They have done the damage an
will have to take the consequences.
Speaking of the candidacy of Con
gresham Herbert Parsons for presi
dent Of the New York county commit
tee, Mr.. Odell said;
Parsons idea of party harmony Is I!
throw bricks at my friends. There wa
no talk of OdoY or anti o6ell in the coun
ty committee. The trouble was all duo t
Mr.. Fassetf. lie changes oftener thai
the tides. We are In for harmony II W
have to fight for It.
If the Democrats do not carry Ney
York in 1906 1T will be their own fault
for certainly the Republican leaders i
that state are doing oil that Y tier