New-York tribune., 1903-08-14
SHEEHAN IS FOR FUSION.
HE WON'T SEE MURPHY.
Thinks LozC Can Win. but Wants
Democrat for Mayor.

stories. coming cOncurrently from Democrats in
this city and in Saratoga. to the effect that he
would soon have conference with Charles F.
Murphy and Borough President Cantor with the
idea Of delivering the Greater New-YOrk De-
mOcracy to Tammany Hall
A break between Mr.. Sheehan and Mr. Cantor
is expected as a result of Mr.. Cantor's changing
attitude toward the fusion cause. II is said thai
Mr. Sheehan called up Mr.. Cantor on the long
distance telephone at Saratoga yesterday and
said to him in substance: You may make an
alliance with Tammany. but you have no au-
thOrity 20 speak for me-
Another development OF the situation is that
prominent and wealthy independent Democrats
insist that the Citizens Union take immediate
steps to discover just what deals. II any. are on
between the Greater New York Democracy Lead
ers and Tammany Hall men. If It is found that
any deal has been attempted these Democrats
1t is understood. will take immediate steps TO
start new anti-Tammany Democratic Organi-
zatiOn in this county. 1t is believed that Mr..
Sheehan will Mr.. Cutting at an early day
and answer any questions the leader Of the
Citizens Union may ask. 1t is expected that
half dozen of the district leaders of the Greater
New-YOrk Democracy will follow Borough
President Cantor out of the organization II Mr..
Cantor leaves it,
There is absolutely no truth in the story"
said Mr.. Sheehan to Tribune reporter at his
Office Il have not been in Saratoga since Mon
day, and do not expect to go back there again.
When went there I went for one week only,
and there was politics in It, I have been
fighting Tammany Hall five or six years. and
shall continue to fight It long as Richard
Croker dominates the organization. and know
full well that his shadow is Overhanging that
old building in Fourteenth-st. to-day.
Il want to say. furthermore" continued Mr..
Sheehan, that the Greater New-York Democ-
racy will stand by it's platform declarations OF
April last. and take part in the next fusion cam
paign the side OF the fusiOnists. I am thor
Oghly convinced that the fusionists viii win
again. even with Mayor Low at the head OF the
ticket, although am free to say that I think q
Democrat should head the ticket.
WANTS DEMOCRAT AT HEAD OF TICKET.
II think that the ticket should be headed by
one of these men: Controller Grout. Borough
President Swanstrom of Brooklyn. William H.
Baldwin, jr., Colonel Robert Grier Monroe John
d. Crimmins John De Witt Warner. The vic
tory would be clean cut and decisive with any
of these at the head. Mayor Low viii win
| if nominated. but he will not run as well as a
Democrat. The rank and file of the Greater
| NewYOrk Democracy are in favor Of Demo-
/ Crat for Mayor. They believe that no other than
| a Democrat can win. I am not in accord with
/ that visw. AS I said before. believe that Low
/ can win.
| Il notice that some Of the papers said that ex-
| Lieutenant Governor Sheehan had had a good
/ deal to do with bringing about a reconciliation
| between the Greater New-YorE Democracy and
| Tammany Hall. My brother has been in Europe
for some months. and will be there till some
| time in October. 1 have not seen ex-senator
Hill for over year. I regard him as one of the
| greatest Democrats that ever lived.
/ "Tammany Hall ought to be defeated IN the
| coming contest. Every issue is against it, 1
| am conscious of the fact that powerful argu-
| ments are being used on all kinds of Democrats
to get them together for next years national
| campaign. That argument may prove 10 be a
very potential in the coming Mayoralty
| campaign. That issue can be taken away from
Tammany absolutely by the nomination of
Democrat. If i have one desire above another.
| it is to see Tammany defeated again. and 1 be-
| lieve that it will be defeated.
| Another thing that 1 wish 20 speak OF IS that
| the Greater New-York Democracy is not going
! to take sides with Tammany Hall in the IXth
| District in trying to defeat Devery. We may
not give Devery distinct assistance, but in no
circumstances s.. =! we help the GOodwin-Smith
people"
TANiNANY LEADERS ATTITUDE.
A crowd of big and little politicians was on
hand at Tammany Hall yesterday morning 10
see Charles F. Murphy about the story that Mr..
Sheehan was going 10 return 10 the organization.
! When asked if he was going to have confer
ence with Messrs. Sheehan and Cantor at Sara
toga Mr. Murphy said he going TO Saratoga
| to-day. and so far as the Greater New-YOTk
Democrats were concerned, he said that all Dem
| ocrats we're welcome TO come into Tam1nany
Hail.
Mr. Murphy had long talk with David B.
! Hi at the Catholic Club on Wednesday night.
| They agreed that Democratic harmony would
be an excellent thing for the fail campaign and
for the fight for the State and nation next year.
| President Bruce Of the Republican County
| Committee said that he believed the Sheehan
men were in the fusion ranks to stay through
the next Mayoralty fight AT the Citizens Union
| Headquarters this statement was handed out;
I'VE do not believe the story about the Greater
| New-York Democracy deserving fusion We
| have always found the Greater New-YOrk
| Democracy leaders sincere. II they are not.
some action will be taken by the fusion confer
| ence'
RIDDER'S FRIENDSHIP FOR Low
Il do not care 10 comment on the report that
| Mr.. Sheehan is going TO break with the fusion
| lists" Herman Ridder said Generally speak
ing. 1 take little stock ~ stories about leaders
delivering votes. 1 have been reported as say
ing what would do with the German vote.
when I never have been so foolish to say
| anything Of the sort I don't lead or control
| ANYBODY. I have never said would make them
! do ANYTHING couldn't do il il I tried. unless
| they believed as l did. My attitude toward Mr.
| Low and his administration has been misunder-
| stood to my annoyance I the best friend
| the Low administration has got, because
| noint ont the mistake il is making while there