Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-24
MURPHY NOT AN OGRE.
How New York Democrats Regard
Their Chairman, Who Is
NOW A CANDIDATE FOR SENATOR.
Mr. Cleyelands Opposition Gives the Con-
test Wide Interest.
NEW FEATURE OF AMERICAN POLITICS
irRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

NEW YORK, Dec. 23-It is very evident
from the tone Of the Cleveland press and the
no less positive uttersnces of the Demo.
cratic leaders in this State that the meeting
of the Legislature will also be the opening
of partisan fight that will extend to
Washington City, and will have no parallel
in intensity this side Of the historical Gar
field -Conkliug imbroglio that led to the res
ignation of both New YORK Senators.
In the Garfield Conkling- Robertson row
the issue was merely one of spoils Behind
the question of spoils was scarcely visible
the shadow of official prerogative. The
President claimed the right to make q GER
tain appointment, that of Collector of the
Port of New York, without dictation from
the Senators of this State and regardless of
their feelings in the matter. The latter de-
MED this right, and coupled their denial
with active opposition in the Senate
chamber. They exercised all their influence
among their colleagues to prevent the con-
tirmation of the Objectionable appointee.
The result of that remarkable controversy
is familiar history. The President tri-
umphed, the New York Senators RESIGNED
and the whole country was stirred to its
political foundations. And, looking back
calmly to that exciting period. it now seems
the height of political impudence on the
part of two members of the Upper House of
a coordinate branch OF the General Govern
ment to atte1npt to exercise powers express
ly conferred upon the Chief Executive.
Admitted to Be an Act of Folly.
That is was an act of folly would now be
admitted by the participator yet alive. As
for the President, the whole country
quickly responded in sympathy with his
position; and it has had no occasion to
change its opinion.
While the impending difficulty, between
the President of the United States and the
Senators from New York has been alluded
to as similar to that which prompted New
York to retire from the Senate, it is only
SO in that it involves serious controversy
between the President and the New York
Senators in which the entire country will
be interested. The relations of the parties
to the controversy are quite different. In
stead of q couple of Senators attempting to
dictate the policy of the President in the
exercise of the appointing power, we have
a President-elect attempting to dictate to
a great State what manner OF man 1t shall
and shall not send to the Senate OF the
United States. I presume no man will dis
pute the statement that Mr.. Cleveland is at
systematic war upon the evident choice of
the Democratic party in this State tor
United States Senator.
Not only has Mr.. Cleveland publicly e1-
pressed himself oL this point, but he and
his personal following have set to work all
the influences of modern partisan machinery
to accomplish their purpose. The power,
none the less great because intangible, of
four years of yet unbestowed federal offices
is behind these efforts. 1t may be fairly
assumed that in fight like this no vantage
of position will be left unused. The result,
problematical, will be OF intense interest to
the rest of the country while it will turn
things political here upside down.
An Analysis OF the Situation.
Without going into the merits of the can
didate for United States Senator from this
State against whom all this influence is di
rected, let ue coldly analyze the situation
which makes such q struggle possible, for
it is one which concerns the whole people;
In the first place, it is now generally con-
ceded that the political complexion of the
United States Senate will be of such char
acter that Senator more or less one way
or another will be of the utmost import
ance It is not only possible, but probable,
that single Senator may be necessary to
the President in order to assure him the
support OF the Senate. But if the Senator
thus required should happen to be a man
whose whole record is one of personal hos !
tility to the President, the situation would |
be decidedly anomalous. That is just ex |
actly what may be the case should the New |
York Legislature send Mr.. Edward Muir |
ply, Jr., to the Senate.
Such situation would be very distasteful |
to any man; to q man constituted as is Mr.. |
Grover Cleveland it would be gall and |
r0rp1Unnd hofh NV
in the Senate, practically clothed with alb
solute power SO tar as party questions are
concerned, Mr.. Cleveland must make his
peace with the New York Democracy or be-
come at once involved in quarrel with the
Senate from which the most stout-hearted
executive might we'll shrink. To make
that peace the President must abandon the
New York Mugwumps He must confne
the distribution of patronage to friends of
the regular party organization. That Or
ganization is represented in the person of
Mr.. Edward Murphy, Jr. 1t is q singular
of circumstances, but it is
Mr.. Cleveland must face if Mr.
Murphy is sent to the Senate.
The Force of Circumstances.
Mr. Cleveland was accepted as the favorite
of the country at large, and as such was
loyalty by all shades of the
State Democracy. The end having been
Mr.. Cleveland is the first
man to return to the ante-election situation
1t must be said, in Justice to him, that he
was compelled to do so by the wing of the
party he more accurately represents They
are clamorous crew and with the happy
political faculty of making more noise in
proportion to their numbers than the party
in actual control.
But they are Mr.. Cleveland's tried
personal and political friends and no man
,an deliberately throw his best friends over
board and as deliberately do the behest of
MS former enemies without forfeiting the
respect of all parties. Nor is Mr.. Cleve-
and the man to try it. To avoid the latter
ssue, therefore, he is seeking to defeat the
candidate. In doing so it is |
represent the Democracy OF New York. |
The plea is that he does not represent Mr..
Cleveland.
And then the ''machine"-which means
he regular and only Democratic party in
New York-is threatened with all sorts of
punishment if the thing isn't run to suit
Mr.. Cleveland. 1t shall have no patronage.
It shall be fought in every election precinct
n the State. War it shall be-war to the
Znife
Anew Feature of American Politics.
This is an entirely new and therefore
feature Of American politics
And what do you suppose the Democratic
N a committee to ME. Cleveland and ask
much. 1t is more likely to go into imme-
late caucus and nominate Mr.. Murphy for
United States Senator. 1t is q Legislature
hat ranreeents the neonIe of New York