New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-16
RACKING FIRE FOR SHEEHAN
DRIVEN TO THE WALL BY THE LABOR
LEADERS.
INSIDE VIEW OF TAMMANYs PLANS FOR 1907
wiGwAM BARGAINS WITH THE SILVER
TIES - INTERESTING FACTS FOR
SOUND MONEY DEMOCRATS
--cROKERs WANING
POWER.

POWER.
The labor leaders who have entered into a con-
troversy with John C. Sheehan to prove TAM
many's lack of sincerity as regards Its attitude
on the gold and silver issues. made public last
evening the series of questions which j. +. Dur
lacher. former ice-president OF the Progressive
Democratic League, recently submitted TO Mr.
Sheehan in his Broadway law office. Mr. Dur
laoher took with him as witness, Charies
Campbell, another labor leader. who was de-
voted to the League until Tammany Hall cap
tured the organization one Sunday afternoon
not long ago.
The questions. with Mr.. Sheehans answers
annexed have been dubbed by the free silver
ties OF the Progressive Democratic League who
refused to be led into the Wigwam reservation.
THE Tammany Hall Shorter Catechism" The
matters touched upon have gained increased I'M
portance through William C. Whitney's dinner
to fellow gold Democrats at the metropolitan
Club on Wednesday evening. at which ex-Lieu-
tenant Governor William f. Sheehan, brother OF
John c.. was present.
The catechism begins with Mr.. Durlacher's
question as to the men whom Mr.. Sheehan had
selected to COMPOSE the committee for arranging
the Greater New-York Democratic nominating
convention.
A SPIRITED DIALOGUE.
Taking the list from the drawer Of his desk
Mr. Sheehan read the names. This dialogue
then took place. 1t is said. between Mr.. Duriacner
and Mr. Sheehan:
Q.-How many of these gold men and how
many silver? ALL are silver men,
OIL see the name Of James ]. Martin and also
James w. Boyle on the list. Are they silver
men? A-They are both organization men. ana.
as Tammany stood on the Chicago PLATFORM Oh
1885, and TO be regular must remain there untii
the next National convention, all organization
men must be silver men, or they are not regular.
There Is no room for traitors In the MANAGEMENT
Of the affairs Of Tammany Hail. and by traitors
I mean all men who bolted from and worked
against the nominees OF the Chicago Convention.
Odd all those who did not vote support the
Chicago platform and Its nominees openly and
fearlessly? A.-The organization Is on record
and has no apologies to make for the stand IT
took IN the last National campaign.
Q-Why is Gilroy back again as leader In
Tammany? Didn't you state to Mr. Hosey and
myself that no backsider would have any place
OF control In the organization? II so. why Is
Glroy on an Executive Committee? A.-Gilroy
is valuable because Of his thorough knowledge
Of local affairs. but he Is not In any place where
he can dictate, manage or control any OF the
affairs Of the organization.
The next question and answer are extremely
interesting, In view of Mr.. Whitney's avowed
purpose Of capturing the Bryanite vote as tall
IN. his Creator New-York Democratic kite for
1897.
Didn't you," Mr.. Durlocher asked, state In
a recent press interview that you heartily agree
with Bryan in his expressed Views. no concili-
ton. no compromise? II so. why do we hear
OF Whitney, Crimmins and men OF that class
having a say in the councils OF the organiza-
tion?"
sHEEHAN SAYS 1T IS FALSE"
Mr.. Sheehan's answer is recorded as follows:
"That Is false they have absolutely nothing to
say In the organization, nor will they be per-
mitted to- No traitor can come back and at
tempt to manage the organization, and least
of all those you mentioned Why, last fall. when
I approached these people for their campaign
donations they put me off from day to day. un-
til at last told our people that felt certain
they were joying me. And was correct. for
on the last day they refused pointblank to con-
tribute one cent, and when our boys went to
Albany. instructed them not to grant a single
favor to the Metropolitan Traction Company
That's how much they are In control Of this
organization"
Mr.. Durlacher returned to the charge, however,
and put the following searching questions:
But Mr.. Sheehan, isn't your brother on the
counsel for the Metropolitan Traction Company.
and is not Hill also? And. Furthermore. isn't
William F. Sheehan still in your confidence and
your political counsellor, and. this being the
case. isn't It rather strange that he should meet
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Danforth In conference at the
Normandie Hotel, when Hill was here last week,
to talk over the plan Of campaign and probable
nominees? And yet you claim your brother did
not represent your"
Mr.. Sheehan hedged some In replying. but he
came up smiling.
EVERYBODY KNOWS" 1T.
Why" he replied, Everybody knows that Mr..
Hill and I are not on the most friendly terms;
but that is no reason why my brother should not
be. and his visit to Hill was not in my interest.
nor that Of Tammany. 1t purely a social
visit. The fact Of nv brother being one Of the
Traction Companys lawyers does not affect his
political standing with me- He is only their
representative. like any other lawyer would be
when retained at much case"
But such legal representative" came the
question: 'is 1t not to be supposed that he Is
also looking after their interests politically. as
well as legally and Is II not to be presumed that
he Will not jeopardize his own interests fnan-
cially by opposing them potically|'
Mr.. Sheehan answered his labor friends pat
ronizngly. and continued to defend his brother.
saying: He is only their legal representative
when called upon like any other lawyer. and
has nothing to do with their political affairs"
Then Mr. Duracher struck at the milk in the
cocoanut. asking:
Can you give positive answer as TO
what Tammany will do about reafrining the
Chicago platform. and will she nominate only
such men who earnestly and faithfully supported
this platform and it's nominees last fa?'
Mr.. Sheehans answer is worthy OF an astuter
Tammany politician Of Buralo importation.
II can only answer for mXSelf.' he said: