New-York tribune., 1901-08-23
Az OLD COLLECTOR OF THE PORT.
AND THE POLITICS THAT HIS APPOINT
MENT sHAPED FOR YEARS AFTERwARD.


From The Brooklyn Eagle
1he death Of Thomas Murphy, ex-Colector Of
the Port Of New York. memory a
OF stress ana storm in State and national politics
M. -1lrIEy cled IN Manhattan SATURDAY, al the
Was made Collector or the Port OF New-York 10y
P.uban !, ISanTn| rbo 80 9SorsyS 80 80, -
in Repubhcanlsm and in Democracy, have occurred
more dividing than The Conkling- -Fenton fight on
MurpEys appointment. = Reuben Z. FentOn was
[oulio!As out ms one term n tne senate. after
having been several times member OF the House
TO TIE Senate over Edwin d Morgan VINO had a
right 70 expect re-election. and who was narrowly
ent tce reelec,aa - b ne Ies,lT 9f the
manent retirement Of Reuben T. Fenton from pub
Thomas Murphy was an Irisshman Bom9n
1athone y hig an 4Dohuonlst 5 ana t a a hepao- @
Repqb.icans. Murphy's variation from the politics
bur the sustained success OF the Republican party
IN this state and in the nation brought to his side
McCord Bernard Eigiin and others Their ma
fionality their regio9s faith their political activ
ity and skill were recognized b. Chester A Arthur,
OF The COUNT Of New-York The detection from
Democracy which they caused among M tneir % kline, Kind
Of the party TO which they went was resented by
many Republicans, in whom "natvism was al
So when the head of their number. Thomas
shock was given 10 politics, 10 commerce and TO
Collector of the Port No professional politician
had ever before been made Collector OF the Port
though several merchants who had been put In the
Office became politicians. and skiiful ones. too.
King AugnstIs schen Simeon K Draper Henry
4. Smythe and men of their stamp figured on the
roll of Collectors. making the addition OF Thomas
Murphy 10 the list unspeakable surprise; Conk-
Iiug's grandoquent defence of Murphy las
who wore the white flower of a blameless life' did
TO Murphy more harm than good He had made
fortune as an army contractor. He was a rough,
bluff vigorous and not superhne MANUFACTURER OF
hats. He had a natural tondness Tor Poiitics and
the contentious OF politics were as dear TO him
when they physical as when they were other
Sf a biameIess life' meant as Conking himself
knew OF the restraints which are the secret that
We'll he became Collector, with the result OF pre-
criticism from Schurz and others In the Senate
and from The Tribune and Others in journalism
Arthur became his successor himself In turn be
forced out BY Hayes with the result Of his nomi-
P1es6en1ai II Duties on the death Of Gared MuT
phys nomination was the storm centre OF causes
boilers in 1872. which subsequently, alenated the
staiwart wing of the Republican party from the
defeated the nomination OF Grant for third term
and which stu later ed to the e r&eSignations & OF
Cleveland at the polls oyer James g. Blaine in
1854 Murphy was about the last Of & the factonists
youngster and now the leader Of the Republican
s9aixaTt sa5ifx GI Res RepGbIicans 5 at that time
After he was crowded out Of the Collectorship
His thoughts must have been intensely occupied
with the Republican feuds in which he did not
gage As already indicated. Conkling, Arthur.
GARFIELD and Blaine passed from the stage. With
the Pepubiicanisn Of Harrison and Mckinley that
publica nism in this State which exists his
tenure was only nominal If he was the first Of
the Arst he put UP a strong night the consequences
misfortunes of which will not soon be forgotten.