New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-19
HOT TINE OVER CONTESTS
Tamm0ny Gets Fec Seats after
LiCely Fight

Albany. April 1S.-Trouble broke GU. ia the
committee on contested seats three minutes
after the committee was called to order Fred
erick Schraub of Lowvile, was elected chair
man Of the committee and the roll was called
to the XXXVIth (Syracuse) District, whence
comes Committeeman John Dunfee. who was
the centre OF trouble in the State committee
meeting this morning. William F. Kearney, of
Albany, the secretary. announced that two
names had been submitted as members of the
committee from this district. Frank H. Matty
and William f. Rafferty,, each lving six votes
Mr.. Kearney called the name of Mr.. Rafferty,,
who answered. but omitted that Of Mr.. Mstty.
Mr.. Matty then arose and took exception to the
secretary's having seen fit to call but one
name" and declared that he had six votes,
good the six that supported Mr.. Rafferty,.
Mr.. Rafferty, and emphatically declared
that he had six uncontested votes. while Mr..
Matty had only three uncontested votes.
What might have happened next nobody can
say, for Mr. McCabe, State committeeman of
Albany. promptly interrupted the proceedings
with motion to go into executive session.
This was carried. and the rest Of the proceedings
held in secret An effort was made TO
cure a resembling of the motion to so into
ecutive session. but rOllcal it defeated
by an overwhelming vote. The contests were in
Onondaga, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, the sec
second Of Cayuga.
The contest in Clinton County was withdrawn
P. J. Tierney, of Plattsburg. made a statement
TO the committee TO the effect that the con-
testants had withdrawn at the request of Sen
ator Hill in the interests of harmony. He said
that q close friend of Judge Parker had visited
Clinton County and had tried to secure a truce
but in vain. and the contestants withdrew only
AT Senator Hil's earnest request.
GREAT INTENSITY OF FEELING.
The committee was in session more than three
hours. Great intensity Of feeling was developed.
and in the end the Tammany members Of the
committee won a more than nominal victory in
forcing a negative result in the case Of both the
Westchester districts contested.
The net result. as reported 70 the convention.
favored the seating Of the sitting QilD delega-
ton in the LIST Cattaraug1s district. a like re-
suit in the Cayuga contest, anti-Hin result
in the LIST Chautauqua, the result. it is said. OF
a compromise. IN the Ist Onnondaga the Dun
fee delegation was unseated by vote OF %
to l6.
IN lie tao Westchester districts the result
was negative. The contestants were voted down
after hot battle. and after an equally strenu-
Gus struggle a like result reached to
the seating OF the sitting delegates by vote
which for long time seemed a tie.
Hostnities first broke out over technican-
ty Of procedure IS to the order in which the
Clinton County contest should be heard. Chair
man Schraub ruled against Tammany on this
point Senator Bowling sprang to his feet
shouting:
I appeal from the decision Of the chair. Can't
you do this thing in a halfway decent fashion?
Can't you give US half a chance. and allow your
machine to roll along without resorting TO high
handed methods and gag law
The committee was thrown at once into an up
roar and for several minutes the babel OF voices
was deafening. Chairman Schraub at last Sc
cured order and refused 10 entertain the ap-
peal Of Senator Bowling.
After that it was a close fight, Tammany con-
testing every point and the upstate members
being equally alert.
Ex-senator 7. c. OSulivan made the prin-
cipal speech for the sitting Westchester dele
cations, behalf OF Tammany.
DESTRUCTION HAD BEEN ORDERED.
Even though some Of US may feel" said he.
that our destruction has been ordered here let
US believe that you Will be at least fair with
New-York and Westchester. We are willing TO
bear in New-York City and Westchester the
burden Of winning Democratic victories for the
State OF New-YOrk. but we insist on believing
that YOU will be juRt with the Democracy Of
the great city Whether you just not,
intend to be loyal to Democracy forever. but we
appeal to you to give us fair play
When the report OF the committee made
to the convention, Chairman Schraub reported
the contradictory vote in WeStchester. He said
that while the committee had voted down a mo-
ton 10 confirm the sitting delegation, IL was
his own opinion that, since the contest had
failed the sitting delegation was entitled to
tain its seats. A motion to this effect was adopt
ed. and inasmuch as II resulted practically in
favor OF the contention or Iammany, no minor
fly report was presented.