The sun., 1903-08-16
MURPHY EXPLAINED TO HILL
ABOUT VAN WICK DOCK BOARD
AND OTHER CITY AFFAIRS.


cry to Defeat tho Txmmany Outnt
SARATOGA, Aug. l5.-Some Demo Gratis
expect Leader Charles Murphy to arrive
here some day next week. Cthers say that
he will not come, that II is not necessary. as
he is already proceeding ON n plan which has
been adopted after frequent consultations
with Democratic both inside and outside OF
Tammany and with others Of State and
national Importance.
"The mere kittens" said Samuel j. Til
den, years ago, speaking OF factional strife
among Democrats, meaning that the dis
putes usually resulted in heavy Demo-
cratic vote on election day. There are
several district squabbles for leadership In
Tammany which must be determined at
the approaching primaries. Mr.. Murphy,
incidentally, is giving attention to these
disputes.
1t became known to-day from nnques-
tionable sources that Mr.. Murphy recently
journeyed to Albany and had a long con-
ference with David b, Hill, the acknowl-
edged Democratic leader Of the state
Part of the conversat ion bet ween Mr.. Hill
and Mr.. Murphy had TO do with District
Attorney Jerome's investigation OF mayor
Van Wyck's dock board and the Keen m
terest OF Republican and Democratic
newspapers in the investigation.
MIR. Hill was fearful that the invesli iSatioh
might be used to damage Mr., Murphy as
leader of Tammany, but above and beyond
that it might be an instrument in the hands
of the Fusion forces TO defeat the Demo-
.nI,
the big chief Of Tammany. would be
potential factor in nominating.
Furthermore, reports had come to Mr'
Hill from New York city that 1t was the
intention OF Mr.. Jerome and his friends
TO bring the investigation OF the DOCK
Board to head just about the time the
municipal campaign was at It's height,
with possible presentments to the Grand
jury. Mr.. Hill was solicitous over the
Significance OF these reports and his con-
versation with Mr.. Murphy took serious
turn
Mr.. Murphy assured Mr., HILL it is de-
clared, that neither Mr.. Jerome nor Mr..
Jeromes friends could by any means con-
meet him with any ong-doing, and that
Mr.. Hill was as safe as a church in accepting
his decla rations in the matter.
Mr. Hill, like the Republican leader,
Senator Platt, takes a deep interest in the
politics OF the great city Of New York. In
times gone by several Tammany chieftains
resented Mr.. Hills interest in Democratic
politics below The Bronx. Evidently
these days have passed and for that matter
there Is no reason, in the opinion Of
w faaIinu
should continue to exist,
II was pointed out that the Republicans
of New York city oblitsratsd all sentiments
of that character against Senator Platt
years ago. Mr. Platt, like Mr.. Hill. is a
"hayseed," one living in Owego and the
other in Albany. 1t is sure that the New
York city Republicans resented at first
Mr.. Platts interest in their affairs, but
there ia any amount OF evidence to warrant
the declaration that gradually they got
over 1t, then began TO Ike 1t, and now can
not apparently get along without it.
There have been one or two points OF
difference in the makeup of the two men,
which, 1t is insisted, have delayed the recog
milton OF Mr.. Hills right to interest him
self in the affairs Of Democrats below The
Bronx, the principal one being Mr.. Hills
intense though laudable ambition TO be
the Democratic candidate for President.
This ambition first became known to
Mr. Hills fellow Democrats in 1883, 1t was
at fever heat in 1892. when the New York
delegation 30 a man signed a manifesto
at Chicago to the effect that Grover Cleve-
land, IL nominated, could not carry the
State of New York. and all, including Rich
ard Croker, chisftain OF Tammany at the
time declared Hill was the man to nomi-
nate.
Hon. William C. Whitney. Cleveland was
nominated and carried the State by nearly
10000 It has been this ambition. Demo-
Gratis declare, which has made certain New
York city Democrats difIldent a. to accept
ing Mr. Hills suggestions as TO tho manage
ment Of their affairs, insisting that man
with the Presidential bee constantly in his
bonnet Ia at times prone 10 consider his
own aims and purposes rather than the
welfare Of an individual political organi-
zation and its local needs
Mr.. Platt, on the other hand. before he
became United States Senator in 1881.
had for his highest ambition the port
folio OF Postmaster General, first IN Hayss's
and next In Garfield 8 Cabinet. He desired
to be Secretary Of the Treasury In Harrison's
Cabinet. In 1895 the Republican State
Convention held here insisted that he
take the nomination for Governor. He
rasolutely declined IL.
Looking over the careers OF the opposing
leaders OF the two parties, it Ia therefore
not difficult, 1t is averred. to explain the
recognition Of Mr.. Platt by the Republicans
below The Bronx long before the Democrats
Of that region decided to accept Mr.. Hill 9
suggestions, and this did not occur until
last fall, when Tammany and the vast
majority Of Kings County Democrats
wanted Chief Judge Alton B. Parker nomi-
mated for Governor, but bowed to the man
date OF Mr.. Hill that they accept Bird
8. Coler.
Mr.. Hill himself and his most intimate
friends have said only recently that, al
though a young man OF 80, the great
day has gone by for Mr.. Hill. and that
there Ia now no hope that he can ever be
nominated as the Democratic candidate
for President.
Mr.. Hill lis intensely interested in the
outcome Of the battle for Mayor of New
York city this fall. He will be the Demo
cratic leader OF the Empire State In the
Democratic National Convention next year
and the seventy-fve delegates at his back
will be q power in naming tho candidate
Furthermore, this array OF delegates viii
give Mr. Hill a prestige which may, ir
some degree, IL is averred, soften the sharT
criticisms which followed the selection anc
the defeat OF Coler, his candidate FOR Gov
ernor, in last falls interesting conflict
VIII John G. Sheehan, leader OF tbt
Greater New York Democracy, join handl
with Devery In the Ninth Assembly distric
the Goodwin-SmitR Tammany outfit IL
the district? This question was discusseS
to-day A year ago Devery beat botl
the Sheehan and the Goodwin-Smith forces
at the primaries. Should Devery repea