New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-24
A FARCE TO EXPEL COFFEY
NOT AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE WHEN HE
Is READ OUT OF THE PARTY.
HE EXPECTS TO WIN AT TUESDAYS PRT-
MARIES-CHAIRMAN MoFFETT GETS
BADLY MIXED

In their haste to railroad Senator Michael J.
Coney of the party the Democratic County
Committee last night or rather the leaders. unwit-
tingly showed their hand. and James Moffett, the
chairman declared the report of the investigating
committee recommending Senator Cofey's expul-
sion from the committee adopted without having
received a single affirmative vote. He became so
ratified that he absolutely refused to listen TO the
motions Of Of the other leaders VINO at
tempted straighten matters out, and summary
declared the meeting adjourned. AS il stands Sen
ator Coffey stands under expulsion from the Elk
and from the County committees of his
party. The action had been discounted for some
time, ard the did not seem to disturb the
Senator much He remarked:
III they should fire out. of the committee
twelve times in a year I would come back smiling
a thirteenth time. / shall show them my strength
a the primaries Tuesday
The primaries are those TO select delegates to
the Assembly district conventions. which to
name delegates TO the State Convention. Senator
Cofey's colleagues in 1he,conunttee from the 1Xth
Assembly District not expelled, getting on
with simple censure.
Luke u Stapleton associate counsel with Isaac
NJ. Kapper for Senator Coffey. Monday will ask
the for a writ of mandamus, to compel the
secretaries Of the Executive and County commit
tees restore the names of Senator Coffey and his
colleagues the rolls of 'ther' respective commit
MEMBERS AFRAID TO STAND ALONE.
Il was a short session. but lasted long enough
10 display the fact that most of the members of
the committee afraid to- stand alone in the
matter. and not one dared vote TO accept the
report before his neighbor The reports of the In
Vestieating Committee. which for many weeks has
been holding farcical sessions under the guidance
OF its chairman, John Mcguire. found Senator
Coffey guilty on eleven counts and recommended
his dismissal The report was frstsaccepted by the
Executive Committee in executive session.
When the County Committee called TO order
Warden Patrick Hayes and others OF Coffey's
friends declared that quorum present. Mr..
Moffe he chs Hsfe q
John /. Shea. the chairman of the Executive Com
mittee, then moved that the report adopted by
that committee be accepted by the County Com
Inittee.
Luke d. Stapleton then made long speech
logistic Of Senator Coffey and asked for adj
journment on the plea that Mr.. Harper. shown
by a docsor's certificate that presented,
i'll be present. Mr.. Kapper. he said. wished
go over the evidence with the committee and
that he could convince the uonlmittee that
the report should not be adopted If they were in
any mood TO be convinced. This is a dangerous
precedent that you establishing" said Mr.. Sta
pleton 1T is Cofey's turn to-day Init 1t may be
yours tomorrow
Mr.. Moffett refused adjournment
after Senator McCarren had said that there would
be in trying to open the case after ii had
been decided by the investigating committee. Mr..
MofTett then said:
+'AlI who are in favor of adopting the report say
AYE"
NOT A WORD HEARD IN REPLY.
Not word was heard IN the room Every one
seemed rooted 10 his chair, and each waiting
for his neighbor open his mouth first. Mr. Mof-
felt then instantly called for the noes, and in
second. before Warden Hayes any other Cof-
feyite had a chance to respond he declared the
question carried
What cried Warden Hayes, he eaped
his feet. Without a single vote in the affirma-
tiVeI'
Senator McCarren and Mr.. Moffett visibly
ratrled. John Mcguire got up and asked for roll
call Mr. Moffett declared that was contrary TO
the bylaws.
Oh do hope that have that by unani-
nous consent said Senator McCarren, in a plead
tone. but the chairman at once declared a mo-
ton adjourn in order, and in another minute
announced that the meeting stood adjourned. He
then quickly left the hall and could not afterward
be found.
When Senator McCarren asked about the
culiar procedure he replied
We'll. the chairman declared the motion carried.
and that all there is to it"
The charges against Coffey and his colleagues
from the IXth Assembly District were:
(A) They had not alone failed, but had wantonly
cratic county candidates such election
(B) That they had given their support to the Re-
publicans and candidates such election. and
had conducted themselves as traitors TO the organ
xzed Democratic party.
(C) That they had wilfuily refused to cooperate
with the County General Committee for the election
of such regularly nominated candidates on the
Democratic ticket
The report declares the charges sustained and
inpeaches his allegiance 10 the party in strong lam
guage.