The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-09
ALL EYES ARE ON POLITICS.
CHINESE QUESTION rs TAKING A
BACK SEAT.

aud Murphy.
Washington. Sept s-whne the diplo-
mats ore putting up a time-kilnng game
OF international shuttlecock and battle
lore over China. the politicians are fore
.ug compaien issues into prominence The
Unsettled condition OF the Chinese situa-
lion and the realization that no definite
perlod Is In sight for a final adjustment
ot the conflicting interests there. has
crowded the Chinese subject OF OF the
front page OF the leading newspapers OF
the country and given the right OF way
60 national politics.
Here in Washington. the greatest In
terest ccnters around the contest In New
York Nearly oil the principal characters
IN both political parties In the Empire
state are well known IN public life at the
capital besides there Is q general belief
that New York will hold the balance Of
power In deciding whether Mckinley shall
continue to reside in the executive man
ion four years longer or whether he viii
he obliged 90 move back 90 his modest lit
tie home In Canton TO make way for
william Jennings Bryan and family.
washingtonisns are especially interest
ed IN the political fate OF the Hon. Ben
tamin Odell. nominated FOR governor by
the Republicans. During the latter's
Congressional career he displayed re-
markable tact. excellent Judgment and
managed 10 impress himself upon his as
sociates az a man OF more than ordinary
executive ability. While he seldom par
tcipatcd la the debates IN the House
when great party questions were IN
VOWED he invariably came 10 the front
with practical business suggestions and
assisted IN making them effective with
out making himself personally ohicious.
The New York delegation looked 20 him
for counsel and advice and but for his
quiet and transformations personality, he
might have been much more OF ma
tonal figure than he Is to-day. As
member OF the Committee on the District
Of Columbia he endeared himself 20 Wash
ingtonians by his STRAIGHTFORWARD. con-
servauve but strictly business methods In
dealing with local questions. sociniiy'
Mr. Odell and his family occupied high
position and they would have undoubted-
~ figured more consplcuously in official
circles while here but for the death OF
one OF their children soon after taxing
up their residence here. Mrs. Odel has
a large circle of admiring friends VINO
predict that she would make an ideal
and gracious mistress OF the executive
mansion at Albany. IL remains TO De
seen whether the voters Of the Empire
state consider Mr. Odell on his merits
or whether they will deal with him at
the polls as a mere understudy for Boss
PlatL
MN vs.. Murphy.
In Democratic circles unusual interest
centers around che contest between baNia
Bennett Hin and his former bosom Itleno
and associate. Edward Murphy. Jr. Whi'e
raeuibers OF the Senate. Mr.. Hill and Az.
Mummy maintained the most cordial per
e.alal relations up to the time OF theI
su5it over she German and Wilson tariu
bul Prior 10 that event they found much
Measure In each others society, aud We're
frequently seen dining together al the
CAPITOL, attending theatrical performances
Witnessing baseball games and indu'sing
ia other pastimes when nos engaged ~
their Official duties.
Although AIR. Hin does not possess the
same amount OF sporting blood" which
Mr. Murphy enjoys. 70 50 happened thas
both OF them were enthusiastic admirers
OF the national gamc-basehoA. During
the baseball season. Senators Murphy, hili
and Smith OF New Jersey. were regular
attendants at che league games. played
al National Park. 10 was the custom
for long time OF this distinguished trio
10 leave the capitol every afternoon about
o'clock for the ball game. They had an
understanding with n colored hackman,
who usually stood al the east front OF the
capitol The latters name was Alfred
Taylor Murray. and his regular employ
ment by Senator HIN soon gave him the
nickname OF Murray Hill'. Murray Is
a unique specimen OF the colored WASH
lngton cab driver. and he soon establish
ed confidential relations with the New
York Senators. IL finally resulted in
Senator Smith nicknaming him Murphy
HILL" a title winch remains with him 20
this day.
Discussed the Tariff.
One afternoon. while en- route TO tho
ball game. the three senator's were dis
cussing the tariff fight then 10 progress in
the Senate. Murray followed the con-
versations closely and soon discovered
that Senators Murphy and Smith differed
with Senator I'M on certain features OF
the bill. The discussion was carried OF
IN a good natured way, and finally Sena-
tor Hill playfully asked the dusky coach
man for his opinion on the tariff question.
You seem 10 be pretty well informed on
oil subjects. Murray" said Senator Hill
Now, what do you think about a duty on
corn bread and 'possum meat?'
Murray scratched his kinky head and
grinnlngly replied: Senator. hates to
consign myself on de tariff question
cause Il Is a subject which puzzles so
called Statesmen"
The humor OF the reply was appreciated
by all present and the result was a unan-
imous vote that Senator Hn should pay
the admission TO the ball ground and also
for the transportation furnished by Muir
ray. Murray stii drives his cab from the
east front OF the Capitol and as a me
mento Of his confidential relations with
the three senator snamed, he wears an
Old plug hat now weather beaten and
rusty. which Senator Murphy bestowed
upon him one afternoon after a summer
windstorm had waited Murray's head
covering 20 destruction. Murray continues
20 take an interest In New York politics
ana he has Ia stock a large supply of In
teresting "reminiscences picked up while
driving Senators hin and Murphy to ana
from the bail games.
Murphy for Governor.
The suggestion that Senator Murphy
may be named as she Democratic candi-
Gate for Governor 20 run against Mr.
odell gives additional local interest here
10 The New York campaign. While Sem
ator Hill made a brilliant record during
the debates In the Senate, his colleague,
senator Murphy. had more influence IN
Democratic counsels. and was regarded az
safer and more valuable adviser when
great questions were under consideration.
His committee assignments we're better
than those given 10 Senator Hin and. al