The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-27


mugwump votes.
When Richard Croker returned from
Europe shortly before the state conven-
tion of 1895, the first political news he
heard was that Hill was going to have
the convention divide the city delegates
between Tammany and the state democ-
racy. The state democracy had secured
score of good offices from Mayor
Strong, and was stronger than ever be-
fore in its history.
Tammany was then without an acting
leader, and the braves had about made
up their minds to submit to the Hi pan.
Mr.. Croker heard what was to be done,
and four days before the convention he
went to Saratoga to see Senator Murphy.
The two had long conference, at
which 1t was agreed that Murphy.
through his friends and delegates at
Syracuse woud help Tammany fight Hill
and The state democracy, and Mr.. Croker
in return agreed to make John C. Shee-
han leader of Tamamny.
Tho day before the convention met
Lawrence Delmour arrived in Syracuse
with the news of the agreement, and the
Tammany braves were happy. HILL con-
trolled the state commib tee and the
temporary organization of the conven-
tdon He made a hard fight personally
for division of The New York city del
egation, one-half to go to the State DEM
ocracy. s.
The TammanyMurphy combination
ascertained that the delegates led by
Charles S. Faircfild would refuse to ac-
cept less than half the represe
from this city, and to avoid an open rup-
turel they had the committee on creden-
ttals report i'm favor of giving ito the
State Democracy one-fifth of the dele
gates This was rejected and the State
obligation marched out of the convention
hall in a body.
When the Democratic State Conven-
tion met last year John c. Sheehan. who
was acting header of Tammany while Mr..
Croker was in Europe did not oppose the
nomination of the candidates selected by
Hill.
Senator Murphy had advised the 10y
al support Of the Chicago platform, and
when John Boyd Thatcher. HIS candl-
date for Governor refused to accept the
money plank, John C. Sheehan sent to
him a long telegram demanding that he
stand squarely on the platform or get off
the ticket, Thatcher was forced to retire
from the head of the ticket.
Hill kept silent during the campaign,
Mr. Croker remained in England, but
Senator Murphy who was i'll ait Long
Branch told all his friends to support
the Chicago platform and ticket
When 1t came time to prepare a plan
of campaign for the fight to get control
of Greater New York. John c. Sheehan
and other Tammany aders went to
Long Branch and consulted Senat tor
Murphy. 1t was then and there agreed
that the Chicago platform should not
be mentioned by the state committee
or the city convention.
When the state committee met in Sep
TENDER, Senator Murphy was at the
Hoffman house with a letter from Chair
man Jones, OF the democratic national
committee, auithorizing the static COM
mlttee to ignore the Chicago platform.
This is a brief history of the Croker
Murphy political alliance, now publicly
admitted for the first time by Mr. Croker
whsn he says that the senator is the par
ty leader.
Mr.. Crolxefss statement that Senator
Hill never was the state leader caused
much surprise today among democrats
in this city. Those who would discuss
it said that Mr.. Cookers announcement
meant the hottest fight within the ranks
of the democratic party ever known in
the history of state politics.
Mr.. Hi has very few political fri mas
in this city, particularly meme in Tam
many hall, but it is said that he is still
a power up the state. The local demo-
Gratis who talked of the, matter today
said that the present state committee,
with the exception of twelve Tammany
members, was the creation of Mr.. Hill.
This committee remains the state organ
i: alton until the state convention of 1898
is organized, and it can direct and Gem
troll all the preliminary work of the next
campaign.
Elliot Danforth, the chairman of the
committee, was selected for the place by
Mr.. Hill and is supposed to be loyal to his
chief Danforth has been mentioned as
a candidate for the nomination for gov
ernor next year. John B. Stanchfield, of
Elmira, a HIN man, has already entered
the race for the democratic nomination
for governor, and made a bid for Tam
many support by coming to the city and
making speeches in the last campaign.
Ii hsSSis. OIeiher ana Murphy pan 10
make Hugh j. Grant thslr candidate for
governor next year, the situation may
resolve ITSELF into a fight between the
city and the country. This democratic
politicians who discussed the matter to-
day agree that a battle royal may be ex-
pected next year. The friends of Mr.
Hill say thar he likes nothing better
than a coed scrap within the party. and
they predict that he will not give way 10
Messrs. Murphy and Croker without
struggle. 893
Clicked TO Death.