New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-22
A DEMORALlZED DEMOCRACY
DIVIDED AND FIGHTING IN ERIE
COUNTY.
THE CLEVELAND AND sHEEHAN FACTIONS WIDE
APARr-PRoGREss OF THE STRIFE SINCE
THE SYRACUSE CONVENTION.

THE SYRACUSE CONVENTION.
lrY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBuNg.l
Ru1alo Oct sl.-In no county in the State 10
the decentralization of the Democratic party In
the present political campaign more evident than
in the county Of Erie Divided on many nominal
tions. divided in counsels. and separated into Two
strong factions the Democrats Of the county
must approach Election Day with no hope IN
their hearts.
David B. Hill early in September. with the SELF
ish purpose Of fufthering his Cwn reelection as
United states Senator In 1897. promised the lnce-
nendent Democrats Of the State that II tney
would attend the Democratic state CohVeni""
to be held later In the month at syracuse 'heS
should receive liberal share OF the Represents"
ton in the convention and consioerapie huhioe'
of seats in the Democratic State Committee i"e
rndanendenr Democrats accepted this invitation
to attend thc convention with msgivings, TOT
they doubted il the four men who controlled tne
machinery of their party-Rchard Croker. Hugn
Mclaughlin. William f. Sheehan and EDWARD
Murphy jr-would make the surrender OF party
power which Mr. Hill desired them to make III
his interest For a time. however. II seemed as IL
Mr. Hill would be able 10 make the concessions
which he had promised. The Shepard Democrats
of Brooklyn received one-third representation !"
the convention, and apparently Boss McLaugh-
lin intended to cooperate zealousy with MI MN
in his execution of his harmony" plan. Char'es
s Fairchild and Maurice ]. Power thought they
saw evidences that Boss Croker would sur
render to their followers part OF the control
of the Democratic partys affairs in New-forh'
BOSS" Murphy remained quietly at his home In
Troy TO allappearances acquiescng IN MI faAa
scheme
TuPNED DOWN AT SYRACUSE
Here in Erie County those eminent Cleveano
Democrats Wilson s. Bssell and John u Ni-
burn. consented to act delegates to the con-
vention. william f. S.eehan had continued "''
grin unon the machinery OF the Democratic party
in the county although resident or w-forN'
but it did seem as though he had decided to grant
to Mr. B!sseu MT Milburn and to Franklin ID
Locke and his followers good share of the con-
,roI Of that machinery But sooner had the
Democratic State Convention met than IL was
annarent that Messrs. Croker. Murphy, Sheehan
and Mel cIaughlin were Of an unyielding spirit ana
did not intend to surrender to the Independents
Democrats any actual power over the organna-
tion of the Democratic party. and that MI Hilis
suggestions therefore would be rejected Croker
had the convention put the stamp OF regularity on
mis- Tammany Hall organization Mclaughlin
followed his example and gave the badge OF reg
ularity to his Bell Democracy. Sheehan not only
hold the badge Of regularity previously conferred
lpon his organization in Erie County. but seized
for that organization every seat In the Demo-
cratic State Committee, and as for Senator Mur'
phv he took plea in hwarting all the plans VI
Senator Hill.
The consequences or this action ~ Murphy
Croker Sheehan and Mclaughlin are now ap-
parent In Brooklyn there are two Democratic
lie rtt
candidates for the Senate and the Assembly. In
New-York there is also division In the ranks Oh
the Democratic party on the local ticket and on
the Legislative ticket David B. HILL after week
of hard work. has found it impossible TO unite tho
Democrats upon one sci OF Senate candidates In
New.York City. He did not turn his attention to
Erie County If he had one glance would nave
heen sufficient and he would have remained In
Albany.
SETTING Up AS INDEPENDENTS
Returning from the Democratic State Conven-
ton the Cleveland Democrats. headed by Mr'
B.ssell. Mr.. Locke and Mr.. Miourn' set 10 "orN
TO establish in Erie County an entirely new
Democratic organization. with no connec''o"
whatever with that controlled by Mr.. sheehan.
This was not pleasing. OF course, 10 MT S"ee
han He had put his former law partner. John
and now he made him the ostens:ble leader OF the
Sheehan Democratic organization in Erie
County Every one in politics smiled when TINS
was done. for all were aware that Cunneen was
but a mask for Sheehan. as Lawrence Dei'ho",
in New-York was but a mask for croker anu
lanes D. Bell was but mask FOR Hugh NC
Taugbiin Mr. Sheehan through Mr.. Cunneen,
substantially said to Franklin ID. Locke. tne
head OF the Independent Democratic orgahizA'
ton formed here: 49,,
fall in Erie County. but ! shall hold on to the
machinery Of the organization. .,,r Currss,
II IL so pleases you you may indorse our cam
djdates for Senator, Assemblymen and Tor city
and county offices. but as to THIS matter OF or
ganzation. in my Judgment. yours is WORTH
Leg one because IL does not represent the
Democratic party, and shall form an organiza.
lion OF my own. demonstrate Its strength, ano
demand admittance for II 10 the next Dehi~
cratic State Convention.
A FULL ANTI-sHEEHAN TICKET.
Mr. Locke and his companions then nominated
a full set Of Senate, Assembly and city and county
candidates Mr.. Cunneen in several notable
cases has refused 10 iadorse this ticket put for
ward by Mr.. Locke notably in the case OF sew
eral candidates for Assemblymen. Moreover. the
candidates for State Senator were suddenly
chosen that sufficient care was not taken ana
men OF no political strength were selected. There
was also "A muddle on the nominations for Alder
men since the day expired when trey could be
nominated as Regular" candidates. and thus
their certificates Of nomination were filed after
the legal date.
Further difficulty in the Democratic ranks mas
heen caused bv the announcement or the Locke
Democrats that they will hold mass-meeting
tomorrow night at Music Hall II take steps 10
perpetuate their organization Inc cail TOT ,ntS
mass-meeting is direct attack upon Mr.
Sheehan since it dwells upon home rule ana
this criticises Mr.. Sheehan for attempting 10
control the Democratic organHa'oh al r'''
County from New-York City. Ii says:
Believing that the interests OF the Erle .ounty
Democracy AMI the pubic demand the termination or
all fact!ona differences arising from party str'te N
tha past and convinced that the surest and most
effective OF attaining this end II the estao'lsn-
ment OF a and thoroughly representative organi-
uatinn OF fhe marty ON the basis OF home rule IN