Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-23
ODELL LCOMEST TOT0WN
Talks With IN. o. NJ" About
New York Row.
GOV. HIGGINS BACKBONE
The Boss Indicates It is Just India
Rubber.
REGULAR KILKENNY FIGHT
Among the Democrats-odell's Two
Great Ambitions - More
Cats, More Fun.
IR KILKENNY FIGHT
REGULAR


NEW YORK. August 23.-State Chairman
Odell, the boss of the republican party in
New York, came to town today on a flying
visit, and at state headquarters in the
Fifth Avenue Hotel. talked to the news
paper men on the present interesting politi-
cal situation in the Empire state. Just at
this particular moment the republican lead
ers are resting on their oars watching the
outcome of the remarkable mix-up in the
democratic situation.
Chairman Odell has two ambitions-one
to defeat the denomination of Gov. Higgins
and the other to secure the election of
republican governor and legislature. The
Kilkenny fight now going on in the demo-
cratic party will hardly affect his first aim,
but may have far-reaching and vital infiu-
ence upon the second. Chairman OdelIs
great concern at this time, as well as that
of other republicans, is whether Mr.. Jerome
Will run as an independent candidate in
case Mr. Hearst captures the democratic
state convention.
In the course of his interview with the
newspaper correspondents today, at which
l was present, Mr.. Odell was asked what
he thought of the possibility of Mr.. Jerome
running as an Independent. Frankly, I
cannot prophesy," he replied. "Old meth
DDS seem to be changing and old landmarks
Tor political guidance appear to be disap-
pearing'
The Boss Just Smiled.
1t was suggested to Mr.. Odell that the
rumor was current that if the democrats
should nominate Mr.. Hearst the republicans
might fix upon Mr.. Jerome as their candi-
date for governor. II think 1 can safely
say remarked Mr.. Odell with one of his
grim saturnine smiles that such course
Is hardly likely to be followed. The only
wi Mr.
point is that he is a democrat
In the course of the conversation Mr..
Odel took no pains to conceal his opposi-
ton to Governor Higgins. 1t is well
known, Of course, that he is working
might and main to prevent Mr.. Higgins
denomination Mr.. OdeH was asked whetn-
er he thought Governor Higgins would
have the backbone" to make an open
fight in the state convention. But Mr..
Odell declined to commit himself upon any
estimate OF Governor Higgins backbone"
1T has been said,' remarked one OF the
interviewers. that Governor Higgins never
makes up his mind till he has his back
against the WALL.
He does not always do it then, does
he?" snapped the ex-governor, the man
who made Governor Higgins in the last
state convention.
Mr.. OdelPs attention was called to
statement made yesterday by "a republican
close to President Roosevelt and generally
attributed to National Chairman Cortelyou,
to the effect that President Roosevelt would
keep hands off the state convention and
would not interfere in the choice of a can
didate for governor.
An Open Convention.
II have no doubt that is correct" said
Mr.. Odell. You know this is going to be
an open convention. Oh, yes, an open con-
vention." And then the republican state
boss laughed. His mind probably ran back
to the celebrated open convention which
his neighbor, Boss Penrose, pulled Off in
Pennsylvania some time ago. That kind of
a convention is said to be Boss Odelrs ideal
of an "open convention"
The republican lieutenants are all at sea
as to the probable choice of the candidate
for governor. They are very much disap-
pointed that the democrats are not to hold
their convention ahead of the republican
convention. and the fact that the two are to
be held on the same day is causing serious
inconvenience.
The best that can be done now, they say,
is to watch the progress Of the deadly mix
up in the democratic camp. Mr.. Odell was
asked what he thought of the scrap among
the democrats.
You remember what Ben Butler said
about the cat fight, don't your he replied.
THE more cats the more fun" Only that
is not quite the way Ben Butler put It,
N. 0. NJ.