The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-08
YREELAND WILL NOT ACCEPT.
NE FLATLY REFUSES TO BE MADE
STATE CHAIRMAN.

Saws lie Fayors ElectlnB q Man In Place OF
Odell rs One Of the Necessary Steps n
the Republicans Are TO Hold the State
CONGRESSMAN Dwight Again Named.
WASHINGTON, March New York Re-
publicans will be obliged to look a little
further for a chairman Of the State COM
nittee in place OF ex-Gov. Odell. Just
when the matter was popularity supposed
10 have been settled, tentatively at least,
nv an agreement upon Representative
Edward B. vreeland for that position, the
whole situation has been upset by the fiat
refusal OF Mr.. Vreeland to be considered as
n candidate, and by his statement that he
gees no reason which would induce him to
accept the post If it were rendered to him.
Mr.. Vreeland was asked several days
AGO by those who advocated his selection
20 consider the matter. In the hope that he
would agree to accept the craftsmanship.
He has done 80 and has now notified his
friends that he is no longer to be considered
as a candidate; that he does not feel that he
could accept the honor, and that hereafter
his name must be eliminated in the discus
sion OF q candidate to succeed 0dell.
II am not and never have been q can
djdate for the Craftsmanship Of the State
committee, " said Mr.. Vreeland in discussing
the subject to-day. Il was absent from
Washington investigating hazing condi-
tons at Annapolis for two weeks and some
Of my colleagues here, without consulting
me, proposed my name for chairman. l
am plea sed that my associates from New
York would favor me for this place, but
I know Of no reason which would Induce
me to accept 1t If it were offered. My con-
~ftituents in the Thirty-seventh district
have been kind enough to keep me in Con-
gress until at present, by reason OF ex-
~perience, I can better serve their interests.
With this my ambition is satisfied. l do
not think I can properly perform my duties
here and act as State chairman.
Il am in favor Of electing a chairman
In place OF ex-Gov. Odell, and l say this
with no feeling against Mr.. 0dell. lrecog-
nize his skill and experience as a political
leader but / consider it one Of the neces-
sary steps il we are to hold the State. The
sentiment of the rank and file OF the party
as far asI can determine Is strongly against
Mr.. Odell as chairman. Their reasons
may be right and they may be wrong.
1t is easier to change a chairman than 1t
is to convince the party that 1t is wrong.
The record Upon which we can elect the
next Governor is still to be made. Any
serious ak about who shall be nominated
is at present premature. h people OF
cur State lave been more shocked by the
insurance disclosures than by anything
- l. II-1o,a $50 1aria-
lation TO meet conditions shown to exist
our prospects In the State will not be promis-
ing. l do not mean avs which will injure
the companies, butsuch laws as shall safe
guard and protect them so far as is possible.
The record which the party makes this
winter will have much greater influence
on the election next fall than any skill in
managing the campaign or the amount OF
money spent in 1t.
If the record of the Legislature is salts
factory l think Gov. Higgins should be
renominated. He has shown himself to be
honest and independent during his term Of
office. l am a strong supporter of the
Governor for denomination. This is reason
enough why l should not be chairman.
We must select a man who is not strongly
identified with a faction and is not strongly
committed to the political fortunes OF any
man. We want a leader and not a boss"
MIR. Vreeland is in favor Of having the
State committee meet within two weeks
after the adjournment of the Legislature.
Il believe" he continued, that a fight
over the chairman may injure the passage
of legislation at Albany AT any rate it
would take time and energies both at Albany
and Washington which should be given to
legislative matters. During that time an
agreement can be reached upon a chairman.
If not, let a majority Of the committee
decide it. You may state that | positively
decline to be a candidate for State chair
man. / have been asked to wait and think
it over. | have thought 1t over and that Is
my conclusion"
The refusal Of Mr.. Vreeland to allow
his name to be used in connection with the
State craftsmanship comes as a sore disap-
pointment to New York Republicans in
Washin gton who believed that an ideal man
had been suggested when he was mentioned
for the place. MIR. Vreeland would have had
the active support OF all New York Repub-
leans here. His refusal again opens up
the discussion OF the subject. Representa-
tive Dwight is again talked Of, and 1t is
the opinion Of many that he would consent
to accept the place II it were rendered to