New-York tribune., 1903-08-20
ONLY A LITTLE GAME.
SO POLITICIANS THINK
Do Not BeHeve Either Murphy or
Smith an Earnest for CleUeIdnd.
IBv TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.

Saratoga, n. Y. Aug 19-The politicians in this
summer city spent the greater part of the day
specializing to the why and the wherefore of the
launching of the Cleveland boom. The letter of
ex-senator Smith. of New-Jersey. in which he
nounced that Charles F. Murphy. leader OF Tam
many Hall, had decided to support Cleveland.
caused widespread comment. Murphy's cautious
rejoinder that he had discussed Cleveland can
didate and regarded him favorably. but disavowed
committing the organization to Cleveland's sup
port also caused comment. The general impression
is that Mr.. Murphy and ex-senator Smith have
close understanding about this Cleveland matter
and working the game. quote a racetrack
term, both straight and place"
In the first place it must be understood that both
ex-senator Smith and Mr. Murphy bland, guile
less and unsophisticated politicians. They always
speak exactly what they without hesitation
circumlocuton or distortion of any kind The let
ter written by Mr. Smith and which leaked out
in Saratoga was supposed to be 4 private communi-
cation Odd, isn't it, that this letter. duly type
written and manifolded. was handed out to all
newspaper correspondents?
One of the reasons given for the ostentatious
reluctance IN making this letter public is the stu
alton confronting the Tammany organization in
greater New-York. Murphy is making mess OF IT
as leader He has not been able to win back to
Tammany many Of the oldtime Democrats who
went out when Bryan and Croker were doing a
ghost dance" with the organization. 1t is esti-
mated that anywhere from twenty to thirty thou
sand Democrats were alienated from the organiza-
leved by Murphy and his associates that ALL or
nearly all. of these Democrats are Cleveland Demo-
Gratis. Why not declare for Cleveland and win
them all back? Good. So the coy suggestion is
flung out that Cleveland is just lovely for words
that Tammany looks longingly toward him and
wants to support him. It is easy to shift after
municipal election and the Cleveland votes have
been over
Now, about ex-senator Smith. There are many
here who un5ind enough to say that Smith
isn't for Cleveland at all. They say he is away
palSner. organizer and promoter for Arthur Pue
German, Democratic Senator from MARYLAND.
eminent politician and turfman suggested tonight
that Smith had rushed Cleveland the front to
dates out, and then German would swing to the
front at the finish
How about HIP" suggested some one. You
cannot ma a man In Saratoga familiar with the
candidate 1t is learned here that from all parts of
the country Hill has received word urging him to
write the next national platform. Hill believes
thaJ ne can get the next Democratic national
hoping that he will be called upon to stand upon
it The impression here is that Hill is also making
a double entry race of ii. 1t is said that he is
aSsIduously pushing Chief Judge Parker. and has
placed himself carefully the rail trailer,
ready to rush to the front at the right moment and
grasp the nomination.
A great many politicians believe that the launch
ing OF the Cleveland boom will cause the Bryan
manger tactics. Up to date the Bryanites have
realized that Bryan cannot be nominated, and they
VIII agree to no one else. Cleveland is the most
mated or all by the Bryan people. and if they see
believed they will scamper to agree upon a com
promise candidate TO defeat Cleveland