New-York tribune., 1900-01-05
PAYN LOSING GROUND.
EX-SENATOR MURPHY's OPPOSITION
LIKELY TO INJURE HIS CHANCES.

Albany Jan. 4 (SpeciaD.-The conflict over the
office of Superintendent of the Insurance De-
partment is becoming more picturesque every
day, and Louis F. Payn, the present occupant
of the office. must enjoy the hubbub in the
political world caused by Governor Roosevelt's
resolution to oust him. That commotion among
politicians does not seem to be limited to the
lines of the Republican party, but to cross over
into those of the Democratic party. Mr. Payn's
supporters have been pointing to his retention
of Democrats in high places in his office as proof
Of his bipartisan administration of the affairs
of the Insurance Department and have been
declaring that the Democratic Senators as a
body would vote for his retention But this
hope deserted them to-day, when they learned
that Senator Boyce, Of Rensselaer, County un-
der the inspiration of Edward Murphy jr. ex-
United States Senator. would vote for any rep
utabe Republican as successor to Mr. Payn.
Mr. Murphy's hostility to Mr.. Payn, as Mr..
Murphy's followers in Troy frankly acknowl-
edge, is due to the Insurance Superintendent
having aided Ex-Governor Frank 8. Black as
they believe to choose progressive Democrat
Daniel E Conway who is hostile to the ex-Sen-
ator, Mayor of Troy. Mr.. Murphy's followers
in the departments of the Troy city government
are fast losing their places and progressive
Democrats are taking them and therefore he
does not have any love either for Frank S. Black
Louis F. Payn and no reason why he
should aid the latter hold fast his place as
Superintendent of the Insurance Department.
Ex-senator Murphy has such a close friend
ship with Richard Croker that there is natu-
rally suspicion that a large proportion of the
Tammany Hall Senators also will vote for any
able and honest Republican that Governor
Roosevelt may select for the post of Supern-
tendent of the Department although doubtless
II C,tIIi Will S1IS-
tain Mr.. Payn at all hazards. The Kings County
Senators of the Democratic faith also, in order
to show their independence of Mr.. Murphy, may
vote against the Governors candidate.
1t undoubtedly easy matter for ex-
Senator Murphy to decide to sustain Governor
Roosevelt. as their personal relations have
been exceedingly pleasant ever since the Gov
ernor was Assistant Secretary OF the Navy De-
partment and Mr.. Murphy was a member os
the United States Senate. Moreover, since
Theodore Roosevelt became Governor he has
had a chance to do some personal favors Of a
non-political nature for Mr.. Murphy. Added to
this. Francis b. Delehanty, a brother-in-law OF
ex-senator Murphy was appointed a member
of the Board of Mediation and Arbitration by
Governor Roosevelt, and another brOther-in-law,
Captain Delehanty, is a great personal friend or
the Governor.
Governor Roosevelt was asked to-day by the
newspaper correspondents here what truth
there was in the statement IN certain New York
newspapers that he had selected ex-senator
Cuthbert w. Pound, of Lockport. as his candi
date FOR Superintendent of the Insurance De-
partment. He replied that there truth
in the statement, that he had not even proffered
the place to Mr.. Pound, and that Mr.. Pound
was simply of dozen men whose merits
he was considering 1t is we'll known that be-
sides Mr. Pound the Governor has considered
the merits OF ex-Attorney General Hancock, of
Syracuse; of ex-senator H. II. Persons and
John r. Hazel of Buffalo A good deal of op-
position Mr.. Hancock's appointment has
come from Syracuse where the Republicans are
divided into ferocious political factions. and
notwithstanding his fine character and dlstin-
guished public service, Mr.. Hancock's friends
fear he will not be appointed. for naturally the
Governor would like to have the he selects
for the place heartily supported by the Repub-
licans of his home county