New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-15
PARKER MUST CHOOSE.
HILL OR T4MMANY.
Murphys Nan Series Notice That
the Time Has Come.
[BY rElEu,ArH 10 rllr rR1nryE. !

Albany Jan. 14-In a remarkable intarv,avv
this afternoon one Of the Tammany Senators
closest to Charles F. Murphy served notice on
Chief Judge Alton B. Parker that II he wished
to secure the support of Tammany he must
come out In the open and repudiate David B.
HILL Dwelling on the sorry figure cut by Judge
Parker as a result of his tmidity in allowing
the use of his name at the last Democratic con-
vention. declaring that the general impression
was that Judge Parker must either be a weak
man or entirely under the domination of ex-
Senator HILL this Democratic leader invited
Judge Parker TO speak for himself" He said:
Is Senator Hill Judge Parker's authorized
warwick? Why aid he let Mr. Hill unreservedIy
shape his deStiHies at the convention Of 1OIS
II II ne We're not? If he hopes for the support of
Iamnany he must expect TO declare for us and
not for Hill. The West is hostile to Hill:
now VIII they regard man who. at a critical
time, allowed Hill entirely to dominate his opin-
IONS ana counteract his sense of duty to his
party? Senator McCarren believed at the time
OF tnat convention that he had tentative ac-
ceptance OF a nomination from Judge Parker
LheIe was letter, so the rumOr goes. making
the matter even more definite. Where did the
letter E go and who suppressed it. and why did
Judge Parker submit to that suppression?
There was BILLY" Sheehan. he was at that
convention for Judge Parker first and last He
came away disheartened discouraged Whv did
Judge Parker dodge the issue? We knew that
he was stronger in the country We Tammany
men knew that he would even poll as many
x
cuse? His friends said financial reasons. but
any one knows that, even if he had resigned
from the bench. and had been defeated. he could
have come to New-York and made $4,000 a
year in private practice. Is that a sensible ex-
planation?
Now. there are people coming from the West
who want to size up this man Parker. II he
VIII break away from the alleged friendly
lations with David B. Hill. himself a candidate
for the Presidency since tirne immemorial. there
may be some hope for him. But will he? Has
he got the sand or is he weak man? That's
what We want to know. and we have got to
be informed.
THE HILL AND TAMMANY STORY.
Hardly less interesting in regard to Hill than
Parker is this striking expression of the Tam
many position. 1t would seem to settle definite
ly the notion that Hill has crawled back into
the good graces OF Tammany. 1t puts before
the country fair promise of disruption in the
State if Tammany is opposed. The familiar cry
that Judge Parker is an unknown quantity is
raised again. and the alleged candidate finds
himself placed in the difficult position of having
either to discard friend TO lose the support
OF his own State. without which he cannot be
seriously regarded as a candidate.
The ultimatum called forth an interesting
comment from Charles N. Bulger. He declared
earnestly that there was no difference between
Mr.. Murphy and Mr.. Hill on the subject OF the
Presidential nomination." He did not add that
there was any agreement. But the fact Is be-
coming more and more apparent here that il is
Mr.. Hlls friends who declaring that the ex-
Senator has no hard feelings toward Mr.. Muir
ply The Tammany leaders friends do not credit
Mr. Murphy with any such fraternal spirit tow
ard HILL
Ex-Lieutenart Governor William F. Sheehan
keeps constantly in touch with Judge Parker
these days. and flies Off TO New-York at inter-
walls on mysterious missions. but there is no
reason TO doubt that Tammany Senator
has spoken his opinion, and that Of the organ
izatiOn. that Judge Parker will be asked to de-
clare his hand
Ex-senator Hill sat in his law office this after
noon and read the account of the Tamnany SEN
atOr's deliverance. Like Judge Parker he never
comments never answers. never says a word
for publication. In the present instance he fol-
lowed his usual course. So did Judge Parker.
That William r. Hearst is rapidly displacing
Judge Parker in the attention of the country
was another startling assertion OF one we'll
known Democratic Senator, who fatty suggest
ed that space rates were securing the support
OF many national Democrats. The real danger
of the Hearst talk. according to this Senator
was that presently it would be taken seriously
in other parts of the country particularly If the
Parker boom continued 10 flatten out at its pres
ent rate.
GOING To SIZE UP PARKER
There was rumor afioat tonight that the
first of the Western Democrats who are planning
TO come 20 Albany and take a look at Judge
Parker for the purpose of getting n true esti-
mate of his Ca1ibre Presidential timber was
expected shortly. Thomas Taggart National
Committeeman from Indiana, reported to be
coming. From another quarter this report was
denied and it is extremely doubtful II Taggart
will come.
Meanwhile. II Is interesting to watch the de-
velopment of Sens tor Patrick II. McCarren. He
is to be crowned the Democratic leader at din
ner given by the Democratic Senator's on Tues
day night. His absence this week has been the
subject of more discussion than even his pres
ence. and the minority will not get to work until
he appears. Poor Senator Grady is still TO be
allowed the privilege of representing the minor
ity by voice. but the more potent eloquence of
authority will undoubtedly belong to McCarren
and to Victor j. Bowling, who. as MI Murphy s
engine in the purloining of Grout and ForneS
from the fusion ticket, gained much.