New-York tribune., 1906-08-17
THE REPUBLICAN, SITUATION.

By clever generalship and through fOrtuitous
circumstances Ex-Governor Odell managed to
win victory over the friends of Governor Hle-
gins in the state committee. 1t is such victory
as an opposition sometimes cOntrives TO gain In
parliament by Outvoting the ministry on snap
division But it does not really change the
political situation In any but merely sent-
mental way. The committeeman in many cases
do not represent the votes of delegates to the
state convention. If the delegates from every
Congress district voted in the state convention
as their representatives voted In the committee
dividing the New York and Buffalo vote IN pro-
portion to the division OF the committeeman
from those cties) Governor Higgins would stlll
have a majority. Moreover, parts Of some dis
tricts. for instance, that of Mr.. MOngin, are
friendly TO the Governor though the committee
man stood with Mr.. Odell. So it is clear that the
vote settles nothing. The old issue raised year
ago still remains, and the party organization
must decide whether it wishes to work IN mar
mony with the sentiments of the rank and file Of
the party voters or to defy them.
The Tribune has never Joined i'll the rancor-
GUS Outcry against Mr.. Odell. We think that ne
made an able and in many respects excelleht
Governor We believe that he has been the vic
tim Of much undeServed denunciatiOn. Never
theless, it is evident to all men that justly or
unjustly Mr. Odell has lost the confidence OF the
great DOuy OF RepuDllCdu NOlSLS' -NOlHlAl5 NOuAu
be more emphatic than the popular expression
in favor Of his retirement has been. Last year
that feeling manifested itself in decisive defeat
of the party where his management was most
conspicuous 1t Is clear that so long as he is at the
head Of the organization it will be impossible to
secure the favor Of thousands of Republican
voters not to- mention thousands of independ-
ents whose support it would he folly to forfeit.
The state craftsmanship should not be considered
as a personal prize. and the party welfare should
not be sacrificed to any individuals desire to
retain political power. however natural that de-
sire may be-
No doubt, even if Governor Higgins consents
to be a candidate and is nominated Mr.. Odell
should he retain the chairmanship, would give
efficient and loyal support 10 the ticket; but
campaign under his management in the present
state Of popular feeling, would be greatly handi
capped. On the other hand, no distinctively
Odell candidate even if he could be nominated
would enter upon a hopeful campaign. Mr..
Odell's friends. when they suggest a candidate
couple with the suggestion the hint that his
nomination would mean the retirement of their
chief. In the case of Mr.. Hughes it certainly
would. He never would run except the can
didate Of the whole party and as the representa-
tive of an honest and unselfish reform policy
Whether Governor Higgins himself. or Mr..
Hughes. or Lieutenant Governor Bruce or some
other man, is the candidate. it is evident that a
successful Republican campaign must be based
loyal adherence TO the high ideals main
tanned by Governor Higgins. and must be con-
Quoted by some manager who enjoys popular
confidence.