New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-11
CONE OFF THE FENCE.
If SheehaR and Russell Don :
They MaY Tumble.

Notice will soon be served on John c. Sheehan.
leader of the Greater New-York Democracy. by
the fusion leaders. to get off the fence The
free lance criticisms which have rolled from
the lips of Mr.. Sheehan and William Hepburn
Russell. Commissioner Of Accounts. in the last
few days have convinced the fusion leaders that
if the two are going 10 keep sharpshootins
at Mayor Low they would better be out of the
fusion camp absolutely.
Mr. Sheehan left his office early yesterday and
went home to think it over" II is the talk
among the friends Of Mr. Low that Mr.. Sheehan
and his friends got rather more patronage than
they were entitled 10 equal division two
years ago. and there is a good deal Of surprise
that Mr.. Sheehan should say anything about
patronage. 1t is perfectly we'll understood that
Mr.. Sheehan and his friends INDUCING in
NOISY politics.
They have got to stay with the fusionists or
go hungry. The doors of Tammany Hall, so far
as any favors are concerned. are shut against
Mr.. sheehan and Mr.. Russell. Mr.. Murphy
would be glad to welcome back into the fold
Borough President Cantor. but ne has no real
for Mr.. Sheehan Mr.. Russell II the
Greater New-York Democracy goes over to
Tammany. they will be compelled to join the
tail end OF the procession. carry the water cans.
and for many penance years hustle as political
cuspidOr cleaners around the wfgwam- There'n
be kicks a-plenty. but no perquisites for them.
Murphy and his friends have plenty OF hungry
and thirsty to look after without annexing any
outsiders.
The fusion leaders expect Mr.. Sheehan and
Mr.. Russell to get down off the fence and fall
in with the fusion procession They expect
them to do it right away. with degree of alac-
rity and silence that would be becoming at a
pink tea. The indications were last night that
IL Mr.. Sheehan and his friends do not want to
do this, they must say so at once
Mr. Russell said yesterday snat he could not
say right away when the executive committee
of the organization would be called together.
Personally" said 8Ir. Russell. Il have the
highest regard for Mayor Low and look with
great favor his administration. but my per
sonal view is small matter compared with the
dissatisfaction being expressed by the members
OF our organization against the present city ad-
ministration. If Tammany dominates a ticket
composed OF Democrats and not grafters. 1 am
frank in saying that it is going to be a most
difficult matter TO persuade the members of the
Greater New-York Democracy to support an
administration which in reality is Republican.
We shall not act hastily. however. there
is no necessity for il. Our convention is not 70
be held until October o, and by that time both
the fusion and Tamnlany conventions will have
been held.
Our organization and the Kings County
Democracy are not the only ones dissatisfied
with the ticket indorsed last night. Despite
surface Indications there is great opposition to
the present city administra ton in the rank and
file Of the Citizens Union, and there Is telling
what the convention may bring forth In view
of this fac. ii would be foolish for US TO take
any action on a question that is so far from
settled
1T is well to consider the fact that at last
nights conference the only really non partisan
organization 70 indorse Mayor Low was the
Citizens Union. All the other conferrees were
Republicans This should be considered when
II comes TO asking organization Of Demo-
Gratis like the Greater New-YOrk Democracy 70
support the ticket indOTsed
The members Of our organization are Demo
Gratis. not non artisans. I left Tammany Hall
in 1897 because l wanted TO see the Croker
Devery influence driven from IT, That has now
been accomplished. and IL remains to be seen
whether the present leaders are going 20 act
like grafters or like Democrats
Mr. Russell said II would be several days yet
before the executive committee called to-
gether 70 hear the report Of the delegates who
attended the conference.