Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-01-06
ODELL'S HOT WORDS
Roosevelt, Higginsand Parsons
Denounced by Elk Governor.
FIGHT TO FINISH FOR SPEAKERSHIP
Higgins and Taft In Conference--scc-
rotary of War said President Was
Not Interfering In State
Politics.

NEW YORK. Dec. 29.-Ex-Governor
OdelI was at the Republican club, and
after a conference with Assemblyman
Merritt, his candidate for speaker, he
let loose another TRADE of abuse and
denunciation of President Roosevelt,
Governor Higgins, Congressman Par
sons and all others that have opposed
his candidate for the speakership Mr..
0dell said:
The man up at Albany who is doing
so much talking has evidently had
some starch injected into his spine by
one Theodore Roosevelt. But If the
steadfastness of Governor Higgins
could be listed ON the stock exchange
while / know nothing about that
place. l should advise all my friends
to sell the stock short. 1t is well
known that Higgins never had any
backbone in the past. When he talks
it is the voice of Jacob Higgins, but
the hand of Esau Roosevelt"
When asked about the speakership
fight Mr.. Odell said:
1T is a fight to a finish in the eau
Gus. Mr.. Merritt will not retire, and
so far as l know there will be no third
candidate. Merritt is in the race to
fight it out in the caucus"
OF the local situation he said;
young Mr. Parsons has whole lot
to learn In the game of politics"
The ex-governor said that President
Roosevelt was not fooling any one by
his denials that he was interfering in
state and local politics in this state,
Ohio and Pennsylvania. He said that
old politicians could not be caught with
such salt
Assemblyman Merritt was still
hoarse and could not talk at length.
He repeated his statement that he was
in the fight for the speakership to stay
to the end.
Politicians are already discussing q
successor to Mr. Odell as chairman Of
the Republican state committee. 1t is
not thought that he will resign. but it
is believed to be certain that new
man will be elected to the post.
Some OF the men mentioned for the
place are John III. O'Brien, secretary Of
state; William Barnes, Jr.. the chair
man of the executive committee of the
state committee; Railroad Commission
er George W. Aldridge of Rochester,
Congressman J. Sloat Fassett of Elmi-
IA and Nicholas V. Franchot, state
superintendent of public works. Among
the leaders who discussed the matter
Mr.. Aldridge seemed to have the most
friends.
Governor Higgins and Mr.. Odell were
in town, but did not meet.
Governor Higgins reiterated his an
nouncement that the election of AS
semblyman James w. Wadsworth to
the speakership was certain. The gov
ernor said that he would have good
majority in the caucus at Albany on
Tuesday night. The governor was ask
ed about the threats of reprisals In the
legislature made by Odell and Merritt.
Eyes, have read that there were to
be attacks" he said. 1.-THE whole sit
uation is one which must be left to the
people"
Secretary Taft had long talk with
Governor Higgins. Both were here to
attend the prison ship martyrs com
mission. 1t was reported that Secre-
tary Taft bore message from the
president to the governor. but this was
denied by Mr. Taft. The secretary
said that the only message he had for
Mr.. Higgins was that he hoped if the
governor was impeached he would es-
cape the fate of Charles l. When ask
ed about the charge made in some
quarters that President Roosevelt is
interfering in state politics Mr.. Taft
said:
81 can speak only for Ohio. | know
that the president has not interfered
in Ohio He consults the senators
about all Ohio appointments, and
whatever he does is the result of an
amicable agreement with the sena-
tors"