The sun., 1906-01-31
DRINK A TOAST TOC.F. MURPHY
A POLITICAL PUNCHBAG, LEWIS
NIXON CALLS HIM.
John Sharp williams Sends to the Demo-
cratic Club Letter Rejoicing In
Roosevelt as Convert--MOyement to
ethe Club 4 National Organization.

cratic Club . Letter Rejoicing In
Roosevelt a. q Convert--MOyement to
Nakethe Club National Organization.
The dinner OF the Democratic Club last
night did not bring out any Democrats OF
national distinction. Perhaps for that
reason there was little mention OF the plan
for making a national Democratic cup
out OF the institution. The dinner was the
first of the season at tho club John u
Sheehan, back In the fold again, sat next
to Charles F. Murphy, and seemed to be on
the best OF terms with him.
Mayor Mcclellan did not attend, ana
Senator Tilman. who was to have been
the chief guest, couldn't come, 80 the CLUB
fell back for orators on Senator Grady,
Augustus Van Wyck, Comptroller Metz
and Corporation Counsel John j. Delany'
Judge Warren w. Foster presided, but he
left the part OF toastmaster to Lewis Nixon.
One OF the interesting features OF the
dinner came when Mr.. Nixon proposed
that the members drink q toast to Mr..
Murphy.
There is a political punchbag who has
to bear the brunt OF the attack he said.
Il am not going to ask him to speak but
am going 10 ask you to drink toast to
the real leader OF Tammany Hall, Charles
Francis Murphy
The diners rose to their feet and drank
the toast silently, while Mr.. Murphy blushed
and remained seated.
John Sharp Williams sent letter to the
dinner which was read by Judge Foster as
the beginning Of the proceedings. Mr. :
Williams. after regretting his inability to
be present, spoke Of the railroad rate bill
as the most important legislation now
PENDING, and said that the Republican and
Democratic members of the Committee on
Interstate Commerce, having agreed on
bill, a non-partisan and undivided front
was presented to the country. Continuing,
he said:
need not tell you that it has been matter
Of pleasure to US to welcome the President
of the United States and his Cabinet among
the recent converts to Democratic principles
in connection with this great question. The
President has only recently seen the light.
While we in our national platform and In our
speeches were calling aloud for increased
powers for the Interstate Commerce Com
mission the Republican platform was silent
on that question and its speakers were
equally SO.
Without the help Of the President We would
not have been able to do much. We are glad
have anybody with us In opposition to any
inequalities. inequties and exploitations.
whether by Government Itself or by Govern
ment created bodies. 1t Is TO be hoped that
later on the President will utter a tone equally
unmlstakabl in favor OF pruning from our
present ridiculous tarir It's excrescences in
equalities and explotatIons.
1t has only been few days since. in con-
nection with the Philippine Islands. at any
tka lie 90 hipn md a nm iGrif
OF his party In the House Of Representatives
came to our position. to which we have been
for hve years trying to drive them
The persuasive power of Democratic e1-
ample and Of Democratic ideals on the floor
OF the House and in the Senate, Is stronger in
Washington than 1t has been for many years.
and the hope to see Democratic victory
rests upon safer ground than has been the
case for a long time l. for one. have never
entertained any doubt OF the proposition
that in the long run. this country must
chiefly be 90 verned by the Democratic party
the only historic and always continuing
political institution known to the republic.
These principles are contemporaneous
with the life of the Republic. because they
were, for the most part. born in the throes
of war, which established the existence OF
the Republic, and are principles which. though
they may be eclipsed. being behind the clouds
and not always visible. will continue TO exist
until the Republic itself ceases to exist. In
form or in spirit, to be Democratic Federal
Republic.
1t is well that there should be, In the largest
city In the American Union. club nationally
organized with a membership from all over
the country. representative not only OF the
party which | have Just called historic but
OF the only party which has members In
every voting precinct and always has had
them-a party. therefore. non-sectional and
in the highest sense national.
COMPTROLLER Metz who was called upon
to speak for Brooklyn, declared that he
was lust plain Democrat
$50 long as the party does what think
right lena hn as w II Go nS abn f6e
glad to make appointments of such men,
he said. i am not going around making
jobs for people or discharging competent
| men. When a vacancy occurs In my office
intend that it shall &c, to the borough to
zation In that borough to name men that
can fll such an office credltably.'
Augustus Van Wyck said he believed the
| time was ripe for making the club national
organization, and that existing as it did
Gratis OF the nation were looking to it to
! bring the party into harmony again.
Democrats are at the helm in our local
affairs" said he, -and think that We can
| look to other matters. There Is no greater
mission for this club than to minimize cor
ruption and the debauching Of the ballot
box by corporation contributions: | ask
| this club to start a movement to that end.
Let US care for home affairs and take less
| with jingosm. The Philippines are in our
| possession and doubtless we shall keep them
| forever Let the Democratic party turn
! away from foreign affairs and turn to the
| affairs OF our own country
The greatest outburst of cheering at the
dinner came at Senator Gradys reference to
Richard Croker. A lot Of the diners jumped
to their feet and cheered.