New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-30
UTRPHTS WORD.

When. under strong provocation, Devery began
TO draw on his ample store of knowledge about
Murphy, the Tammany leader forthwith aban-
doned his suddenly acquired habit of loquacity.
Doubtless general rule Of reticence is judicious
in his case. but ii cannot be fear of Devery that
prevents Murphy from denying an explicit
charge which was brought against him by Mr..
Mclaughlin Monday and published at once
by all the papers. There was nothing in the
Brooklyn leaders statement 10 rufie DeveryS
susceptibilities. This is what Mr.. Mclaughlin
said:
may mention an incident which sheds some
light the very peculiar notions which Mr..
Murphy has of the common obligatio to refrain
from falsehood. After he had been twice at my
house, he DOT only denied TO the reporters for
the press that he had been there. but had the
audacity 10 call me up through the telephone
and ask me also TO join in the same falsehood.
1 have had many peculiar experiences in my
time at the hands of so-called leaders, but never
before had been requested by any Democrat of
distinction 10 unite with him in palfning of n
deliberate lie on the public The incident is
worthy of mention because of the bearing it has
on Mr. Nurphy's pledges TO the public for the
future Of the government of the city.
Among the elements from which Murphy de-
rives his power his denial that he had been at
Mr.. McLaughlins house and his endeavor to get
Mr.. Mclaughlin TO support that falsehood may
be regarded unimportant even creditahe.
Possibly even MesSrs. Mcclellan. Grout and
Fornes are in nowise disturbed or annoyed ut
the disclosure. But multitude Of citizens agree
with Mr.. Mclaughlin that il has bearing on
the pledges which Murphy's candidates are
making. He instructS them to declare that they
will faithfully serve tho public II they are
elected; that such conditions their opponents
say existed under the last Tammany admins
tration viii not be tolerated for moment, and
that the city government will be clean. econom-
ical and efficient. They don't quite dare To give
these promises in Murphy's name, for that
would make them. I'm their capacity as candi-
dates. contemplate and ridiculous. But as Mr..
Grout has proclaimed, Tammany candidate
must of necessity he subservient TO the organ
ization. What is the organization? 1t is Muir
ply at present. and will continue to be Murphy
if Tammany wins this election. The fulilment
of his candidates pledges depends therefore. on
Murphy. If he means the things they saw the
city would he safe i'm their hands, at least until
Tammany had risen in its angry dSappoint-
ment turned him out and put i'm another leader
Mr.. McIaughlin's revelation was not needed
by anybody who has taken the trouble 10 COM
prehend the character and career Of Cookers
understudy. but il cannot fail to enlighten a
good many citizens who have neglected to con-
slider or hesitated to believe the evidence under
their eyes. I'm the preliminary stages of the
campaign. when Murphy was hoping that Mr.
Mclaughlin would submit 10 his dictation. and
perhaps had not made up his mind what to do
I'm case the Brooklyn leader opposed him. he
was unwilling TO have the fact of their meet
ing at Mr.. McLaughin's house divuged. He
therefore not only bluntly declared for publica-
ton that no such interview had taken place
but stopped low TO solicit from Mr.. Nc
L3ughlin a confirmation which would have been
accepted Of his own worthless denial
Such is the man on whose trustworthfnesS de-
ponds the entire value Of the promises which
bis desperate candidates are making