Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-14
PARTY NEAR TO RUIN.
Republicans Are in Bad Shape, Says
OdeI1

dispatch from New York saws: Prais.
ing W. R. Hearst and attacking President
Roosevelt. B. B. Odell, jr, who was forced
out OF the Craftsmanship of the republican
state committee after his defeat at the re-
publican primaries, came down from New.
Durg yesterday and freed his mind regard
ing the political situation. Mr.. OdelI char
acterized the policy of his successors in tn.
management OF republican affairs as "asi.
nine, and asserted that the entire republi.
can state ticket would have been eiected
with proper effort.
He admitted for the first time that he
Alaoe mistake when he used his power
as governor to make himself chairman of
the state committee
Louis F. Payne, under whose manage
ment Columbia county gave a larger Min.
Talty 1or Hughes than it gave for either
Roosevelt or Higgins, said that the republi-
can party In the state would be wiped
out OF existence unless there was change
In republican policy and the enactment ot
a new ballot law, which would prevent the
name or a nominee from appearing more
than once on the official ballot
Il think the result is a defeat for the re-
publican party Mr.. Odell said There
Is no doubt that Mr.: Hughes was elected
that the entire ticket would have been elect
ed with proper effort. There was no cam
paign, no canvass made.
At least, we didn't see anything of a
y,
same thing from the other counties I'D the
state. l was not asked to help. l was not
consulted during the campaign, and so far
as my county is concerned, we didn't know
that there was state committee. From
my observation the state committee didn'
know where. It was at most of the time
How does the result leave the republican
party in the face of the next presidential
campaign he was asked.
1T is left in bad shape. 1t is apparent
that the party was not united during the
campaign, and if the present asinine policy
is continued it will not be reunited. 1 do
So far as my observation extends all the
upstate leaders supported the ticket
loyalty. But the fight was between the
personalities Of the candidates. No issues
were raised. The grand record of the re-
publican party was not even touched on.
What work was done was put ebn the
shoulders of Mr.. Hughes himself. Out
side Of his trips there was no campaign
made.
II understand the asinine policy is to be
continued in the making Of appointments
/ have been Informed that to carry out
the deal with George W. Aldridge of Mon
two of the most important places in the gift
of the governor are to go to their hench-
men. l am told that Winslow NJ Meade,
Aldridge's man, is to be made superintend-
ent of public works, to succeed Mr.. Fran
chot, and that Ray B. Smith of Syracuse
is to displace Colonel Archie Baxter as
clerk Of the assembly.
That is slap in the face of the Grand
Army men, who are represented in Bax-
ter's appointment. And Mr. Meade, l be-
lieve, was with Aldridge during the canal
work which was so much criticised during
Governor Blacks administration.
DO you think the party can be put in
shape to win the next presidential contest?'
Il do, but 1t must be done by mutual
consideration and -forbearance. and the
recognition of all elements. Furthermore,
the party must recognize some of the things
for which Mr.. Hearst stands and which
made him such a. formidable candidate
Now, am not knocking, but am greatly
interested In the future of the party, and
want to see 1t again united and victori-
0us''