New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
WIGWAM TO NAME JEROME
ALLIANCE NTH MURPHY.
TammanY to Renominate District
AttOrney-ItS Purpose.

District Attorney Jerome is TO be nominated
by Tammany Hall to succeed himself. There Is
every reason to believe that deal has been
made between Charles F. Murphy and the Dis
trlct Attorney looking to his nomination by
Iammany this fall The deal has not taken the
shape Of a hard and fast compact, but il is none
the less binding for all that
a Republican district leader told Ex-Governor
Odel yesterday at the Fifth Avenue Hotel the
following incident: A young lawyer, a short
time before the first of the year. asked the
district leader to get him appointment
the staff of Attorney General Mayer The dis
trict leader working to get il, when the
applicant called him and said:
You needn't mind about getting that place
for me. Charlie Murphy has got me on Je-
rome's staff"
An investigation of the political complexion
of Mr.. Jeromes staff probably would show that
four-fifths Of the lawyers and clerks on the
payroll Of the department are Democrats and in
good and regular standing in Tammany Hail.
A Tribune reporter learned yesterday from a
trustworthy source that just before he went
on the bench, Victor J. Dowling. who in the
fail of 1903 persuaded Charles F. Murphy to
nominate Controller Grout and President Fornes
on the Tammany ticket. after these officials had
been rener mated by t5e- Citizens Cnion and
Republicans. suggested that it could be done
again in the case of Jerome
The Murphy coup in 1903 demoralized the
Fusionists and resulted in the election of the
Tammany ticket. Mr.. Murphy believes that he
repeat the trick this year by nominating
Jerome. 1t Is practically certain that he will
do this no matter whether the Citizens Union
first nominates the District Attorney to succeed
himself or not
The Republican leaders already have decided
that they viii not nominate 3Ir. Jerome to sue
10
jerome consists in part in the fact that many Of
the district leaders think that if the District
Attorney should be nominated by Republicans
he might be regarded eligible candidate
for Governor on the Democratic ticket year
from next fall The Republicans are opposed on
general principles to developing Democratic
candidates for Governor.
It may be recalled that Charles F. Murphy of
late years has not had anything disagreeable to
say about Mr.. Jerome or his conduct Of the Dis
trict Attorneys Office. On the other hand Mr..
Jerome has been equally considerate of the
feelings of the Tammany leader
The way that Mr. jerome handled the Dock
Board charges suited Mr.. Murphy exactly. The
investigation Of the conditions IN the Depart
ment of Docks and Ferries. whereby Mr.
Murphys business associates and political favor
ties prOited largely, started on promisingly, hut
it was not long before MI Jerome apparently
lost interest. The end of the year came. and
the statute Of limitations prevented further ef-
fective action in the investigation.
Another development full of suggesttveness is
the fact that Commissioner McAdoo with the
knowledge and sanction of Mayor Mcclellan and
Charles +. Murphy, has turned against the po-
lice force and IS going to unusual lengths for
Tammany official, in showing up the corrupt
practices of the TammanyiZed Police Depart
ment. This is regarded at the Democratic Club
as the winning card for Tamnany next fall
Punish the police and assist Jerome! That is
the programme for the spring. summer and fall
Mr. Murphy, whose district has been protected
by the police, is taking a leading hand in the
Furnishing process. 1t is expected TO neutraliZe
the arguments of the reformers. Tammany has
been beaten over and again the vice
issue and another name for the vice issue has
been police Mr.. Murphy can well afford to put
Tamuany Hail. for at least six months, in an
ment If he can keep Mayor Mcclellan in the
City Hall.
For these reasons politicians are more and
-,,ors Interested in the alliance between Mr.. Muir
nhv and Mr. Jerome. When State Chairman
odell was told yesterday by a Republican that
Tammany would nominate Jerome TO succeed
himself he asked
What else il do?'
Because Controller Grout and President Fornes
a year ago last fall turned from fusion 20 Tam
many and resigned from the fusion ticket rather
than continue their political athltation with the
Low administration. District Attorney Jerome
had hard words for both The politicians
now are counting the days till Tammany shall
nominate Mr.. Jerome for District Attorney
Not only is Tammany planning to nominate
Mr. Jerome. but il viii even allow the Citizens
Union 10 go ahead and nominate the District At
torney first, and then give a rare exhibition of
civic virtue as in the fall of 1903. by annex
ing" the Unions candidate its own.