New-York tribune., 1906-07-29
READY TO FIGHT HEARST.
Syracuse Committeeman CorferS
zUith Neoc York Citg Democrats.


Syracuse, July 2s-Melvin z. Haven, Demo-
cratic state committeeman Of Syracuse District,
returned last night from conference with the
New York City Democratic leaders with in
sfructions to get to work at once and heat the
Hearst men for control Of the Onondaga delega-
ton in the state convention. The Hearst men
are busy and are well equipped with money. and
they say they are going TO capture the Demo-
cratic organization at the primaries.
The Daniel Gray Democratic Club has Joined
forces with the Hearst men. The Hearst men
have chosen state committeeman as follows:
First District, John J. Jacket I'd District. Isaac
Rosenbloom Sd District Daniel Gray. At a
meeting Of the Independence League in this city
last night the three men named were instructed
70 go to New York and see the Hearst managers
and invite them to name Syracuse as the place
for holding the state convention. The local
Hearst men have decided to nominate candi-
dates for all county offices.
It IS anybody's fight for the control OF the
Democratic machine in this county. Mr.. Haven,
who is clerk Of the Democratic State Committee,
as well as a member Of it. is believed 20 have
brought back funds with which TO conduct
campaign against the Hearst men.
The Democratic party in Onondaga County is
thoroughly demoralized by fractional fights. and
there is little probability that either the regular
organization or the Independence League viii
make respectable showing at the polls in No
vember. The Hearst people tried to establish a
formidable radical organization here, but failed.
William F. Macl1ay, Of the state organizers
for Hearst, installed Willard A. Glenn, Re.
publican lawyer, formerly allied with the Belden
ring Of the Republican party, as leader. Mr.
Glenn, even while a lieutenant under Mr.. Bel
den, was not successful organizer, and his ef-
forts to rally a considerable number Of voters
under the Hearst banner have been farcical.
The local Democratic organization has not been
| strong here in years 1t went to pieces years
ago. when James K. Mcclure was defeated as
the candidate for Mayor. For years the organ
ization was formidable under the triangular
leadership Of Mcclure, John Cummins and Mel
win T. Haven. Then dissensions crept in ana
the Republicans took the lead.
Mr.. Haven is clerk Of the Democratic State
Committee. He is against Hearst. John Cum
minis is about the most substantial business
man left in active Democratic politics in the
1 city of Syracuse He is president Of the SYRIA
| cuse Lighting Company and is identified with
various business interests in OnOndaga County.
| Mcclure lives in Syracuse part of the time, but
| he is connected with the Asphalt Trust. and has
| little time for active politics.
At the present time there three distinct
| elements in the Democratic party in Syracuse,
and all three are working at cross purposes.
| First. there tine Cummins men, the old
| line Democrats. who are opposed to Hearst.
Second comes a squadron OF younger men, called
the reorganizeTs, under the leadership of William
| Z. RAFFERTY,. The hamerty men and CuInmlnS
men are just now quarreIling in the courts over
the question of whom the Mayor shall recognize
as the official Democratic party. The election
| officers are to be designated by the Mayor. The
! Cummins men allege that they constitute the
regular organization. The Rafferty, men say
! the same thing. The question is still unsettled.
! The third element is made up OF the Hearst
Enrtber conaplications have been caused by the
action of the Daniel Gray Association in going
| over to Hearst The splitting up of the organi-
cation into three factions is entirely satisfactory
/ to the Republican leaders here. Under the lead
,,rsnip Of Mr. Hendricks ex-State superintendent
| Of Insurance, Onondaga County IN I9OO and 1904
gave large pluralities for the Republican ma
fional state and local tickets and II looks now
| as if the Republicans would be able to equal
| former records.
! The Hearst managers here are planning TO
! turn the hop growers picnic at Sylvan Beach
! on Saturday into a Hearst demonstration The
! Sneaker of the day will be Judge Samuel Sea-
| bury a member of the state executive commit
! tee of the Independence League. Excursions are
run 10 these annual picnics of the hop growers
/ from points well down toward the southern tier
and politicians are always GLAD TO Jake part IN
/ them.
The Syracuse Herald" an independent paper.
said:
The Hearst men are practising on a state
scale the methods they practised on
national scale something over two years ago.
! Ihey are assauItlng the Democratic party along
the lines of least resistance corralling the small
counties first, as they corraed the rotten bOr-
! ouSh states IN the spring Of 1904 in order to
make an imposing show OF strength Yet the trick
may be successful now though il failed before.
UnquestiOnably the great majority Of the party
is opposed to Hearst, but it's indecsion lassi-
tude and lack of capable leadership are Hearst's
opportunities. His followers have a candidate
and cause. They know what they are after
and they are struggling night and day to pro-
duce results. determined and resourceful
! Democratic leader could crush the Hearst con-
! spiracy in its inception, but there is no one in
! sight who answers that description David
Hill could do II, but evidently he is keeping his
pledge TO hold off. In the absence of such lead
ership it is by no means impossible that small
minority of Hearst Democrats. having the ad-
/ vantage Of perfect understanding of what they
want and the cohesive inspiration OF an unlim-
| tied campaign chest, will beat out the confused
and irresolute majority in the fight for the
venfion II will be n sad day for the Demo
cratic party IL this thing happens. 1t will then
! have reason 10 dread victory even more than de-
feat, and a worse dilemma could not easily be
| forced on a. political organization.