New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-15
RUSSELL STILL HOOTTNG.
But G. ". Y. ID. Leaders Viii Rally
to Fusion Support.

After conference with his district leaders
yesterday afternoon at his office. John c. Shee-
ham, leader Of the Greater New-YOrk Demccra-
cy, announced that the prospect was that his
organization would support the fusion ticket
I'VE shall have a meeting OF the executive
committee on Thursday or Friday night said
Mr.. Sheehan. The feeling is strong as ever
that an independent Democrat should head the
ticket but the drift seems to be toward the
remaining Of the old ticket. The prospect is
that our organization will decide to support the
ticket recommended by the fusion conferrees-
Mr.. sheehan called his district leaders one by
one and asked them:
How do you stand on fusion?''
We will stand by you. whatever you do
was the invariable answer.
Well Mr.. Sheehan is reported saying,
I'VE didn't get the kind Of a ticket we wanted,
but it's business to sink or swim with the
fusion people If we get licked. we will go down
with our colors flying We won't have any
halfway business about it,"
It is said that Mr.. Sheehan rounded up his
district leaders because he had been informed
that William Hepburn Russell, chairman Of the
executive committee. was trying 10 swing the
district leaders into line for Tammany Hall.
Commissioner Russell denied this when asked
about it. Every one of the district leaders. as
termined 10 rally his for the fusion ticket.
When Commissioner Russell was seen he said;
The executive committee will meet either on
Thursday or Friday night. 1 expect that a
resolution indorsing our attitude at the con-
ference will be passed. and that another reso-
luton deciding to wait till after the various
conventions have been held before indorse
candidates will be passed. feel that sharp and
reprehensble practice was INDUCED in by Presi-
dent Cutting at the conference.
AT the first conference an adjournment was
taken with the distinct understanding that we
should take week to sound public sentiment
on the makeup Of the fusion ticket. There also
was an understanding that all the conferrees
were to be consulted before any important step
was taken 1t seems that President Cutting
took it upon himself in the interim between the
conferences TO write letter to Mayor Low
asking him about his acceptance Of a renom-
inaton. The Mayor replied to this
I knew nothing about this correspondence
until President Bruce Of the Republican County
Committee, as we going into the confer
ence. spoke about the letters Those letters alb
soutely precIuded the possibility Of securing
any other candidates than the old city ticket.
They precluded an open and candid discussion
of any other candidates. II savored a good
deal Of trick
There was a movement on for the discussion
OF the name Of Henry George for President Of
the Board Of Aldermen His canvass in 1877
showed that he was a good vote getter. He
would have been Of great assistance to US this
year. 1 have nothing against Mr.. FOrnes- He
is a fine man. But in a close fight we ought 70
select a man who will poll the greatest number
of votes I still think that if Tammany nom
mates a high class man the Greater New-Hork
Democracy will support him..
When Chamberlain Gould was asked about
the statement Of Mr.. Russell he said:
President Cutting wrote Mayor Low purely
in a personal capacity. Mr.. Cutting so stated
before the conference. He assured the confer
rees that il had seemed wise to him TO write
the NIayor but he also stated that the conference
should not be bound by the correspondence in
any way. The Mayors letter left the matter
wholly in the hands Of the cOnferrees. Z is
hardly worth while discussing this matter now.
The recommendation Of the conference has been
made"