New-York tribune., 1902-02-12
JEROME RAPS AT SHEEHAN.
SENSATIONAL INCIDENT AT DINNER IN
THE LATTER'S HONOR.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARGES THE LEADER
AND GETS a PROMPT DENIAL

AND GETS 4 PROMPT DENIAL.
William Travers Jerome at a dinner gwen
by Democratic friends in honor of John I.
Sheehan at Sherry's last night, and attended
by Mayor Low, Controller GrOut and other city
officials criticised the organization and lnol-
viduaI members of it, and made an lndlrect
criticism upon Mr.. Sheehan, which the latter
resented 1t was nearly midnight before this
sensational episode occurred. Mr. Jerome was
the last speaker He said practically that the
Greater New-York Democracy was not as good
as il might be; that many members of 1t had
once faWned on Croker, and that when in the
organization they had not dared TO argue WIN
Croker. He cited instance when, he intl-
mated Mr.. Sheehan had been cowed. Sheehan
arose and said calmly that no such incident
as indicated had occurred. Mr. Jerome IN his
speech said:
thought that most Of the men who were elected @ s
tend this affair would have had important engage b+
Mayor Low is here have no use for men who
before election are all things TO all men ana are are
but who afterward when called upon 10 recognize
those organizations have important engas M t
support Of the Greater New York Democracy has
been acknowledge in such splendid manner
District Attorney Jerome said that he was
fond of saying that his real function was to
his friends had suggested that the oil he poured
out was vitriol oil He continued:
lam going TO follow out my traditions and pour
out some oil of vitriol here tonight. do not care
great deal about the Greater New orK IDeInOG V
racy, except it be better Greater Sew t 0Ik
Democracy. care great deal about greater
now that we are rid of the "grafters" who worked
for their own pockets all the time. a.. .o+ -,,oa,,
7enmbIicsn mn narfv Unless they stand for something
han /
fashioned school, and I learned there that the
of some outsiders against those on the inside
District Attorney Jerome said that, accord
ing TO his idea. Democracy stood for decentral-
ization and something vital in connection with
the relations between State and municipal gov
ernments. He said that he understood Democ-
racy to stand for the recognition Of the rights
OF such large cities New-York and Buffalo
for instance. at least to the same degree as
those of Canandagua-
Il thought Democracy stood for the discon-
tinuance OF protection for such infant indus
tries as are being nourished in Homestead" he
added.
Judge Jerome told the guests that the Demo-
cratic party had 70 get rid of the cranks and
demagogues who had dominated it for the last
year. and return its old historic principles.
Il do not stand for non -partisanship" he con-
tinued. I have always believed that the city,
as well as the State, can be best governed by a
great party TO the dictates Of which all the
members are willing to subordinate themselves.
except when such great vital questions Of right
and wrong arise about which there can be no
difference between honest and decent men,
u see here men who kissed the feet OF the
dictator and crawled before him in the dust
until they were cast into outer darkness Vic
tory and success bring lots of sycophants and
followers which failure does not bring. l don't
mean that your leader was not actuated by
right motives. 7 do not think can be sus-
pected OF any particular leaning toward Tam
many Hall. but there men in that organiza-
ton who are willing 10 do what is right and
honest as much we are. In discriminating
criticism never does any good.
I'm 1898 the leader who is defeated re-
turned and called together the finance COM
mittee of Tammany Hall the district leaders
gathered about him. and the grim old chieftain
said to them I understand that you are dis
satisfied. and demanded a 'cinch. This man
whose life had not been pure, by any means,
but who possessed a court of honor Of his own,
in some respects superior to that of those around
him, stood and looked into the eyes OF those
same leaders and there not one Of than
who dared TO speak"
District Attorney Jerome concluded his speech
by saying that the way open for the Greater
ter Democracy by devotion to integrity, honor
and the great historic principles of the Demo-
cratic party.
There a chilly silence Mr. Jerome sat
down. Hardly any applause at all heard.
On the contrary, there were some Jeers and
cries of Shame! Shameg'
Mr.. Sheehan. the guest OF honor, whose face
had shown traces of great emotion during the
latter part of Jeromes speech jumped to his
but he spoke very calmly.
Il am sorry to take issue with Judge Jerome"
he declared. Il at the meeting of which he
speaks, and no such incident occurred. l re-
member it all very distinctly. Mr. Croker came
10 Tammany Hall at my request. He did not
speak at all, for he was not member of the
committee. All the speaking that was done there
done by me-"
This said, Mr. Sheehan sat down amid up
roarious cheers and applause from his followers,
Jerome appeared TO be perfectly serene.
The dinner arranged by Mr.. Sheehan's
Democratic friends Grouped around him at the
head of the table many prominent city of
fcials, including Mayor Low, Jacob A. Cantor,
President of the Borough of Manhattan; Con-
troller GrOut Charles V. Fornes, president Of
the Board of Aldermen; William Travers
Jerome District Attorney, and others The din
ner was an enthusiastic one. E. Ellery Ander-
presided 1t expected that ex-senator
David B. Hill would be present, but he sent a
letter of regret. After expressing disappoint-
ment at his inability to attend Mr.. Hill said:
Permit TO say that from acquaintance of
many years with Mr.. Sheehan l know his many
influential member of the Democratic party.
Those OF you who have been associated with him
in the many political campaigns in New-York city
with which he has been prominently identified have
had opportunity to observe his sagacty as a leader
his treless energy as an organizer and his loyalty
TO his friends both in and out Of politics. Hav-
ing rendered much valuable service to the Demo-
cratic cause, not only in party prosperity but in
its darkest days, his troops of friends whose
hdence he deservedly enjoys. honor themselves
well honor him in the complimentary dinner
which they courteously extend TO him.
When Mr.. Sheehan was introduced he was
greeted with prolonged cheering. reference TO