New-York tribune., 1903-07-12
c. F. MURPHY AT BAY.
TO ISSUE REPLY TO-DAY.
Wig1ram, Worried by Dock Board
Scandal, Forces Him to Talk.

Charles F. Murphy and his lawyers are getting
up another statement for publication. The
bricks and cudgels have OF late been coming Mr..
Murphy's way with such frequency and sud
denness that the Tammany leaders insist that
he say something. The plan is to release to-
night TO the local papers and the eighty daily
papers outside of the city of NewYork col
umn statement, containing a defence of the
old Dock Board and an attack District At
torney Jerome's Office. From Buffalo to Mon
tauk Point, the newspapers are printing edi-
torials and news stories about the old Dock
Board scandals. The drift Of the comment is
that the Democratic organization in this county
contains coterie OF political 'grafters" who
outshine anything that developed in the days of
Tweed. Kelly Croker.
The trailing of the spoils of four long. fat
years Of Tammany power to the doorstep of
Charles F. Murphy. the present leader of Tam
many Hall, is now in progress Every days
developments in the official inquiry make 1t
more certain than ever that Mr, Murphy's pres
ent af1uence is not indirectly connected with
his management of the Dock Department
Democratic newspapers all over the State speak
guardedly of Democratic prospects under the
leadership of Mr.. Murphy. They are saying
that II the Dock Board scandals had been aired
last fall the city never would have given up
ward OF 125 900 votes for Coler.
The statement coming from Mr.. Murphy to-
kIgnt is admission that the Dock board
rsuzations have grown to be overshadowing
p&ztical issue in the metropolis. AS the Demo-
cratic organization is weak outside OF this city
Mr. Murphy and his friends, prompted doubt
less by ex-senator Hill and Hugh Mclaughlin,
have decided to spend several thousand dollars
IN telegraph tolls in order to get his defence be-
fore the people. With the preliminary work Of
the Mayoralty campaign already under way
Tammany cannot afford to have the devious
ways of the old Dock Board fully revealed MT
Murphy, generally speaking, has had nothing
to say" about the bad record of the old DOCK
Board ring. The Tammany men hoped 1t would
''blow over" 1t hasn't blown over. and prob
ably it was Mr.. Murphys consciousness that the
worst was yet to come that made him want to
put in some sort Of a reply to the facts as un-
covered by Assistant District Attorney Clarke.
James A Deering and Peter A. Hendrick'
counsel for Alderman James Z. Gafney and ex-
Councilman John ]. Murphy. under arrest for
alleged misdemeanor in securing a lease or city
property while they were holding office In l9O1'
yesterday submitted brief in support of their
motion for dismissal Of the complaints against
their clients.
Justice Mayer set July 81 as the date for de-
Gliding whether the inquiry before him shall lie
an open one or not. and on July % he will de-
eide whether Messrs. Murphy and Caffney must
stand trial for nnisdeneanor. Justice Mayer Will
be away all this week Assistant District AT
torney Clarke is likely, however, to go ahead
with the examination Of witnesses to strengthen
his case against the former Dock Board com
missoners. ...
Mr. Deering at the hearing before Jusuce
Mayer on Tuesday said that Controller Grout
had failed to md sufficient evidence 10 Warrant
the cancellation Of the Ninety y-slxtn-st. pier
lease This is the lease held by Gafney and
Murphy, and Commissioner Hawkes. asked 1o1
action in the matter several months age. 1t a.
learned yesterday at Mr.. CIRCUITS ofnce tn-l
when the lease matter was referred to him, ne
turned ii over to William J. Lyon. the AUDITOR,
health and never reported on It. he dleo aoou'
two months ago. without taking il up
SOMETHING GIRDNER FORGETs.
Or John Il Girdner. William ]. Bryan's
friend. lust before sailing for Europe yester-
day said that the Dock Board inquiry was all
a political scheme of District Attorney Jerome's
IF the old Dock Commissioners are guilty
Mr. Jerome should have brought them to oooE
long ago" said DR.. Girdner. 1T is q curious
thing that he has waited so long to lnVeEtlgate
the Dock Board. There are good men VINO De
leve that this investigation, coming SO near the
time when the fusionists are 70 nominate
Mayor is not altogether q mere coincidence
Jerome saw Recorder Cof elected 10 a fat office
and himself elected to the bench as result OF
their efforts in the LeNoW lhVestiSauon' anu ne
may have decided that an inYes ugatlon Is a
good thing when man wants to be elected to
office: and DR.. PaTkhurst says Jerome is can
didate for anything"
If Dr Girdner had read the papers he would
have noticed that The Tribune back in April
began an exposure of the old Dock Boards do
ings. Mayor Low, soon as The Tribune be
gan the exposure, turned over 10 the DlStrlcl
Attorney a mass Of information collected by tbs
Commissioners Of Accounts. The Tribune in
dependently dug up of these matters
and that the beginning Of the undoing Of the
old Dock Board ring