The Washington times., 1906-12-24
GOV. HIGGINS OUT,
Mr.. PLATT NAY GO
Report That He viii Resign
At End of Present SeS-
sion of Congress.

Renewal OF reports Of the early
resignation OF Senator Platt of New
York have aroused deep interest IN
Washington and throughout New YORK
State
Some weeks ago may stories were
ahoat that the resignation Of Senator
Platl would soon be forthcoming. In
answer. Senator Platt let it be known
he had no intention Of resigning so
long as Governor Higgins was in office
He did not propose, if he could avoid
it giving Governor Higgins chance
TO name his successor.
Platt's Reported Plan.
Now. it is said, Senator Platt con-
templates going out OF office at the end
Of the present Congress, March +, lsJ3, or
a short time thereafter. Despite Official
reluctance 10 make any admissions 10
this effect. Senator Platt is understood
TO have informed friends that he In
tends to take this course
Ia case the resignation comes, a great
fight over the succession viii follow IN
New York State. Should the resigna-
ton come while the Legislature Is IN
session AZ Albany. a contest would be
ieng the session indefinitely Should
Senator Pl0tt wait until after the ad-
louTnmenJ OF the Legislature. Governor
Hughes would have the opportunity OF
making an appointment 20 MI the
vacancy.
Should 1t be necessary for the gov
nor TO make an appointment, there viii
De no end of pulling and hauling on
the part OF powerful interests and in
duenual friends Of strong candidates 10
1Itet the governors S decision
Root as Possibility.
Secretary Root is regarded as one of
the possibilities. whether the succession
is settled by the legislature or by ap-
pointmCnt. Secretary Root IN some re-
spect4 would be unwilling To give up
his place rs head of the State Depart
meut- He has projected various move
ments of worldwide Importance. and he
would Doe unwilling to abandon these.
At the same time the senate field would
offer him chance for great usefulness
and he would unquestionably be one OF
lJs commanding figures.
one Or the projects that Secretary
Root would dislike most of all 10 aban-
don IS the one lie has inaugurated for
closer relations between the United
States and the countries of Latin Amer
lea To a degree that few American
statesmen have enjoyed. he possesses
diplomats of the South American and
Central American countries. He has
always Insisted on showing these coun-
tries every consideration TO which fair
ness and courtesy eptitle him. More
than any other man, he has insisted on
this country going slow in regard to
Cuba.
But while the interests the Secretary
Of State has in his department are large.
and while he feels them keenly, he
could DO much to carry forward the
policies he believes In. so far as for
eiEn relations are concerned. If he
We're a member of the Senate.
Many Would Like Place.
Various other prominent men are
mentioned for the shoes of Senator
Platt. Timothy Woodruff. state chair
man. is one of them. Representative J.
Stoat Fassett is another. Representa-
tive Herbert Parsons has many ad-
mirsrs. who would Ike 10 see him In the
Senate. Ex-Governor Black and Jo-
seph Choate, former ambassador to
Great BTiLaH., are prominent New York
figures who would be considered.
OF particular interest in connection
with the renewed reports of Platts in
tention 90 retire are the stories now
commanding wide notice in New York
that former Governor Odell, with the
backing of Harriman's millions, has set
out 70 regain his grip on the Republican
V4litie1 of fha State