New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-02
ASKED $4,000 OF M'KEEN
PRICE OF Il NOMIN4TTON.
Dady Tells about Discussion OCer
Campaign Contribution.

According 10 a story that leaked out last night.
and which may have considerable influence IN the
Republican judiciary convention. 20 be held IN
Brooklyn at noon to-day. attempt made
by a prominent Republican politician secure
a. promise from Assistant Corporation Counsel
James McKAen that he would contribute $4,000 20
the campaign committee fund II the nomination
for the Supreme Court bench should be given %
him. The proposition vas at once Indignantly
rejected by Mr.. McKeen.
The tentative offer Of the nomination was made
by a party leader who formerly held an Office
in the city government through a personal friend
OF the assistant corporation counsel The latter
and his friend both admitted last night that such
a suggestion had been made According 70 the
story. the leader referred TO went 70 Mr. Nc<eens
friend. and began talking aboUr the advisaoihty
Of nominating McKeeu for Supreme Court jus
tice.
DO you suppose M McEeen. n assured Of tne
nomination. would consent to do the right thing
by the party?' the Republican leader asked
Well 7 don't know just whar you mean" re-
Piled the friend
Il mean the leader is quoted replyins-
that we should Ike to know whether Mr. Nc
Keen would be willing TO pledge himself % max
a contribution Of $1,000 TO the campaign fund
We want that promise
The friend was astonished at the audacity 20
the proposition and said The next day ths
friend informed Mr. McKeen OF the terms
which he could have the judiciary nomination.
Mr.. McKeen told his friend that under no circun-
stances would he consider such a proposition for
minute and that while he would be willing -
accept such a nomination Internationally. ~
would make TO pledges or promises.
When Mr.. McKeen seen at his home IN
Henry-st. last night, he said:
1T is true that a suggestion Of thar characte-
made to a friend OF mine. ana communicated
by him me. always regarded the pledginS
Of campaign funds and giving Of rewards for
nominations a. the most insidious kind Of c2rr0p-
ton existing in American politics. nave AWAY"
ITon1nfiv ref,I5ad 10 he e anv nomination under
such circumstances and Z also declared that II
nv friends should rake any pledges OF any Kind
for me would refuse to accept the certificate of
il made plain that the contribution Would
have be a liberal one. know that the amount
mentioned to 2 friend Of mine
The friend is a well known on the Heights.
who hold a responsible position under the present
administration. He admitted the truth Of tire
story last night but would not consent 70 nc
fcfsed the proposition when made to him, ard
did not consent 70 be a party to any slch scheme
but had tod Mr.. Mckeen for the latters mtorma-
ton
Since Mr. McKeen's rejection OF the proposition
the leader referred to has been working against
Mr.. Mckeen's chances. 10 is said
When several Republican leaders were seen last
J. Dady. however. had something to say.
This is the first time I have heard this story
Mt. McKeen's name. you know. has for some time
been mentioned prominently in connection with the
nomina ton. Recently. in a company Of Mr. No
Keen's friends. including. relieve Colonel Wits
J. ogden. il suggested that Mr.. Nckeen was
not rich man. and that If he were to get the
nominate some Of his wealthier friends ought to
see to il that he did not lack for financial sur
port as 4 candidacy for the Supreme Court bench
been usual for a candidate for the bench 20 con-
tribute 5000 the Kings County campaign fund.
other counties in The Judicial district " prob
able that Nthe story you told ne grew our ~ ihe
Incidental mention Of these facts to friends Of Mr.
NCKeen- have not heard OF any enc Eoins q
that he should make pledge Of Sis'" - tn~ cam
Iaign-