New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-26
CROKER AND MURPHY.
TALK ABOUT THE REPORTED NEW
COMBINATION IN THE STATE
SHEEHAN'S POSSIBLE
WITHDRAWAL.

sHEEHANS POSSIBLE
WITHDRAWAL
Tammany politicians gossiping yesterday
about that mysterious dinner which Surrogate
Fitzgerald is said TO have given for number Of
big Tammany chiefs Wednesday night Among
those present at this dinner so 1t is said were
Richard Croker. Senator Murphy. Norman L. Mack
OF Buffalo; Mayor-elect Van Wyck and others
John c. Sheehan not present Those who were
at the dinner declared yesterday that 1t was OF no
political significance. and pointed TO the fact that
John c. Sheehan not present to substantate
their assertion. IT said that the dinner in
formal end only lasted short time. and that poli
tics was topic not touched upon.
Some inclined TO take another view OF t.
They asserted that John c. Sheehans absence in
stead OF proving that the dinner a pot.-
cal one was significant fact In itself They said
that Mr.. Sheehan was not identified with the new
combination that had been formed control the
party In the State. and that he was not asked TO
be present. They further argued that It forecased
the Withdrawal OF Mr.. Sheehan from his position
In TammiEy Hall and the substitution Of another,
who will take his place and act as deputy boss
for Richard Croker. The understanding between
Senator Murphy. ex-Mayor Grant and Richard
Croker is said to be complete and the plan outlined
is a most ambitious one
IL Is pretty well understood in Democratic circles
no" .ha' thls combination has been effected TO
complish the overthrow of ex-senator Hill In the
Paiy ana 10 place the entire party machinery In
the hands Of the new corporation. Seven years ago
Mr.. HILL then Governor OF the State took the con-
troll OF the State Committee away from the very
men who are now banded together 10 overthrow
him and regain the whip hand in the State organ
ization AT that time Mr.. Hlll aided by Hugh
Mclaughlin. OF Brooklyn: John c She.han Of Buff
fao; Patrick J. Gleason, OF Long Island City, and
others There was little friction at that time. Now
Murphy and Croker see their way clear 10 regain
control OF this State Committee which was prac-
ucally a creation Of Ill., In this contest 1t is
understood that they will have the assistance OF
Norman e. Mack. OF Buffalo: Smith NJ. Weed. of
PattsDurg; John 7. Madden. OF queens; Norton
Chase, Of Albany. and others The attitude Of Mr.
sheehan is said to be probematical. sheehan has
been FESTIVE under Mr.. Cookers dlctaton, and Is
sald 10 be more than lukewarm toward Mr.. Hill
1t Is minated. however that he will take part
In the struggle. II "a averred that he will retire
from politics altogether He has been successful
in his business contractor. and Is represented
Ike his brother. "Blue-eyed Billy" TO he anxious
TO get out Of politics altogether and attend bust
ness.
The object OF the new clique within the party is
TO control the next State Convention. and through
It the next State Committee. And In this task,
shrewd Tammany say, they have outlined for
themselves about tough a struggle any peace
hating Democrat could generate. While Mr.. Hin
is practically unaidod by any influential Democrat
in the city proper. yet he is not alone by great
deal He is stll power within the party UP the
State. and Hugh Mclaughlin. OF Brooklyn. has
publicly declared his allegiance to him. Should the
Murphy Croker-Grant combination gain control OF
the next State Convention. II will mean. so II is
SAID. the nomination OF Hugh j. Grant for Governor
next year. and In the event OF Democratic Legs
.ature being elected. the return OF Mr. Murphy to
the Senate II the party wins and this combination
IS able TO dominate It within the State. they
TO the next National Convention a stalwart
power, hoping TO dictate tho nomination FOR Presi-
dent.
There a story afioat yesterday 10 the effect
that the combination meant more than the mere
control OF the party in the State. Senator Muir,
phys health has been poor OF late. and II Is Sa!d
By some who are In his confidence that he
has no further desire FOR public life. but j. IN
tensey ambitious for his son-in-iaw cN-Mayor
Grant WIZ thia osiect IN view IL Is de gar ~
Mr.. Croker whereby. IN the event OF party success
.or Governor. In case OF Democrailc success Mr
Murphy Will then retire from the contest FOR hls
his aid Of Mr. Grant by throwing MS influence TO
Mr. Croker's selection as Senator. This
There f. a erea; deal Of tank that John g. shee-
han will retire from Tammany Hall and while
it is nevertheless understood that their relations
severely strained and Mr.. sheehan's abdica-
roll 10 be the one most generally regarded
Mr.. Sheehans successor In the event - such
Fea,herson has been mentioned. Mr.. Carroll has
been forging 10 the head IN Iammany ie,i OF ae
ton yesterday He took a drive in the Park in
the afternoon and dined with his family In the
evening. lie intends to go 10 Lakewood TO-DAY
10 remain Sunday. Mayor-elcct Van WICK
Colonel Gardiner. John + Carroll Randolph "us.
genhener and others ar" expected 10 De N the
party. II H. announced from all sources IN TAM
many Hall that the first iukiing oi appointments
will come from Mr. Van WICK, rand until ne says
the word nothing will be known. was SAID ycstcr
day that Henry l.. Muianey would probably De
Underestimate. He Is Al present IN the Shei'H
office having been retained by Tamsen:
The story that Mr. QUigg Il 10 be Police Con-
missioner j. not taken seriously In the hrst place
II IA said that Mr. Van Wyck would not appoint
him and I'm the second word comes from MI;
Qulgg tina, he does not want the place and would
not have It. ,, .,.tt,.
Tammqny circles last night WAS to the eject that
Elliot Danforth. chairman OF the Dtmocrdtlc stat,
Cornrnittee had deserted Senator HI and Joined
hands with the Croker Murphy combination, de-
string tho nomination for Governor. The knowledge
mai Senator Hi had decided TO give that honor
IN John b. Stanchheld IL said 10 have embittered
Mr. Danforth and Of late he has been talking WIN
friends in way that has led them to ini,T ma
he and the ex-senator had come 10 the parting OF
the ways Mr. Danforth could not be round list
ri0ht but II is said upon excellent authority thdt
g. 10 Gaming contest FOR the control OF tho state
machinery he Will be found In the Croker-Murphy
corner.