Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-30
Tammany's Action Tonight Will
Clear the Political Atmosphere.
MAY CAUSE LOWS WITHDRAWAL
Then aStraight Party Fight Would
Probably Be the Result.
VIEWS OF THE LEADERS

Special From STAFF Correspondent.
NEW YORK, September 30-The action
of the Tammany convention tonight may
have some influence upon the course of
Mr.. Low. If a very bad ticket is put up
by Tammany. one that the Citizens Union
think cal not be elected by any possibility,
it will tend to strengthen the purpose of
Mr.. Low to remain in the race, with
the belief that he may be elected.
1T Tammany puts up d reasonably good
ticket, ore which will tend to unity the
democratic forces. the assumption will be
that they will win. if both Low and Tracy
stay in the field The tendency of such
course on the part of Tammany would
be TO force unity among the factions of
the opposition.
The sentiment of the people of Greater
New York is against turning the city gov
erEment over to a set of men who would
be nothing but the creatures of Croker
and who would do his bidding without re-
gard to the public welfare. Mr.. Croker
would defy this sentiment as far pos
sible. and have the ticket made up of men
as nearly under his control he thinks
could be elected. To this end he is
guing that Tammany can't be beaten; that
they can elect any ticket they nominate,
and should, therefore, consult only their
own wishes in making the nominations.
Senator 1Iurphy's Views.
The failure of the Platt and the Citizens
Union forces to harmonize at present
strengthens his position. Senator Murphy,
on the other hand, contends that there is
such thing for Tammany as 70
warrant them in being reckless about
making up the ticket. He insists that they
should go into the canvass as If 1t were
the fight of their lives. should put up the
-. III
sible to unite the democratic forces, if
possible satisfying both the German re
formers and Henry George.
John c. Sheehan, the head of Tammany,
iEclineS toward Senator Murphy'S position.
The character of the nominations tonight
will depend upon how strong hold on
Tammany Mr.. Croker still maintains. This
does not mean that there will be a fight be-
tween Croker and Sheehan, but simply that
Croker will rot press his point If he does
not know that he is still the boss of Tam
many.
Senator Murphy is trying to impress upon
the Tammany leaders that they cannot
count confidently upon MIR. Lows staying
In the fight, and that they must not reckon
on this in figuring out the result.
The fact is that if Mr. Platt knew that
Mr. Low was going to retire he would not
want the announcement made until after
the Tammany convention. The republicans
want Tammany to make up their ticket
with the idea that they nave a sure thing
of it. 1t will be easier to beat such a ticket
when the anti-Tammany forces harmonize,
if they do harmGnize.
Sheehan Agrees With Murphy.
Senator Murphy sees this, and it Is be-
lieved that Mr.. Sheehan does. 1t is pretty
hard, though, to make the Old TamInany
workers satisfied TO step aside for better
men when they do not feel that the sacri-
flee is necessary to success. Therefore Mr..
Croker's contention is more in accord with
the wishes of the lesser bosses. There is a
good deal of plunder in sight. Tammany's
chance of success depends much upon its
degree of self-Control
The anti-Tammany forces have time
enough in which TO effect their compromise
after the Tammany nominations are made,
if they can agree at all.
Under the new election law a candidate
may retire any time up TO twenty days
before the election, and not after that.
This gives Mr. Low until October 13-thir-
teen days after the Tammany ticket is
nominated-to get out, if he decides 10 re-
tire in favor OF Cen Tracy. But if new
candidate is 10 he chosen as compromise,
roth Low and Tracy reuring. there are only
eight days for the deal. for the reason that
no new nomination can he made later than
twenty-five days before the election. All
nominations must be certified by October ).
The republicans nave hopes that within
that eight days both Low and Tracy may
be retired and new union. anti-Idmmany
candidate put in the held
Schroeder IA Compromise Candidate.
Mr. Frederick \. Schroeder Is now the
most likely compromise candidate if
compromise be effected The Plat
leaders insist that the refusal OF inc Cit
izens' Union to talk compromise now does
not necessarily meaE that they will not be
re&dy TO go in for harmony after the Tam
many nominations made.
1t is understood among the democratic
leaders that Tammany can keep Henry
George out of the field, without making a
very great sacrifice. if they want 10 do so.
II they were willing to make George their
candidate little doubt is expressed that
they could elect him, but ii would only lie
u feeling of desperation that would drive
them to accept him If George runs against
the rammany candidate IL is believed that
he VIII get more votes than Low will get
II he remains candidate. But. as things
stand. George is a much easier man to
deal with than is Low. but If the Tamnany
candidates are not acceptable to him he
VIII he a much Ecore dangerous force TO
Tanmany than will Low ne To th,. reDunli-