New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-10
TO ASK MURPHY TO QUIT
SACRIFICE TO MAYOR.
Er-JuStice O'Brien, Cochran and
NirOn Peace Delegates.

Negotiations looking for settlement of the
feud between Mayor Mcclellan and Tammany
Hall have been resumed. A conference of prom
inent Democrats-not district leaders, but men
whose position in the community brings them
above suspicion Of desiring any personal ad-
vantage in a settlement-has been hurriedly
called. These men to meet within a few
days. it Is said. 10 consider some way of ending
the war which is sapping the strength OF Tam
many Hall
Among the conferrees. 1t IS said. will be ex-
Justice Morgan J. O'Bren. W. Bourke Cochran.
Lewis Nixon and a justice of the Supreme Court
The sudden resumption of the efforts for peace
follows the conviction on the part of many of
the Tammany leaders that the recount bill is
fatally defective and that there is not the
slightest chance of Mayor Mcclellan being un-
seated So long the Mayor was in danger Of
losing his seat, the leaders figured. he might be
less inclined to act arbitrarily in dealing with
the organization. But now believing as do many
men, that the bill gives him the opportunity of
fighting it until his term of office expires the
Mayor, they say Will have no incentive TO
change his attitude toward the organization.
Suffering the pangs OF political starvation and
considering the deplorable condition the organ
ization would he in at the end of Mayor Nc
Clellan's term. II the public cribs not again
opened to them, the leaders all crying for
some plan that VIII restore harmony.
one Of the first things done when II was de-
cided late on Saturday night to renew the peace
negotiations to send for Big Tim Sulli-
van. He slipped away quietly two weeks ago,
and is now at Hot Springs. Ark He was not
TO return until June Is, but his presence here
was wanted and he will be back by THURSDAY
Il is understood
The leaders have reached the conclusion there
is of bvi pircr b,,
the differences between the Mayor and Charles
+. Murphy At the same time they agree with
Murphy that he should not be forced TO abdicate
the leadership of Tammany Hall under fire az
II were. They do feel. however, that IL would
be for the best interests Of Tammany Hall
under the circumstances-for Murphy to retire
from the leadership. if ii can be arranged for
him to do so gracefully.
There two things. then. which ex-Justicc
oBrien and his fellow conferrees hope to accom-
plish They going 10 try to persuade Mayor
Mcclellan TO agree 10 recognize Tammany Hall
on the understanding that Murphy will retire as
leader in reasonable time-say month or
tWo-after the organization under his leadership
has been So recognized.
Secondly. they want TO get Murphys agree
inent to such an arrangement. There is some
reason TO believe II Ia said. that Murphy would
consider such proposition seriously, as he can
see little in the future except loss of prestige.
But there is some question to how strongly
the Mayor can be tied down to a recognition OF
the organization. II was believed that an agree
ment had been reached before-at the time when
the Corporation Counsel made an announcement
To that effect-but the Mayor promptly denied IT,
Friends of James J. Hagan, leader Of the 10Th
District, believe he is the logical successor of
Murphy leader of Tammany Hall They have
AT no
abdicate, leaving a field free for all. Hagan
would have walk over to the leaders chair.
And there is just a bare possibility that. If
Murphy should refuse to retire gracefully after
he had been recognized by Mcclellan. the leaders
might decide To make Il fight him. In such
a 1t is figured that to the eight votes in the
executive committee controlled by the Sullivans
and five more less openly opposed to Murphy
could ne added five of leaders personally loyal
Hagan. This. including Hagans own vote
would make 10 out of 80
A friend of Mr. HaSan said last night: will
lam Jennings Bryan, who visited the ,Amster-
dam Democratic Club, Mr.. Hagan's district or
ganization. last Thursday night, said that the
leader OF the 10Th District was a natural leader.
Mr.. Hagan made no attempt TO get the
ton of Murphy for Mr.. Bryans visit. Not only
that, but he came out boldly without consulting
Murphy and had his organization indorse Bryan
for the Presidential nomination. Hagan is now
the most talked of man in Tammauy circles. and
many are predicting that he will be the future
leader of Tammany Hall II Bryan should be
elected M. Hagan would have the support of
the federal administration.
AT a recent meeting of his organization Mr.
Hagan did not hesitate to express his great dis
approval of the conditions existing between the
organization and the administration and the
organization unanimously passed a resolution
ndorsing any stand Mr.. Hagan might take He
i'm turn said his constituency should not be
made to suffer for any personal differences be-
tween the head of the organization and the ad-
mnstration."
At his clubhouse last night Mr.. Hagan said:
Il am not ambitious to be the leader of Tam
many Hall. My greatest desire is to secure har-
mOIy in the organization and peace with the
administration. If any such act would help to
bring it about | would willingly become a sacri-
flee and lay down my leadership. Conditions
are now deplorable and all have to suffer.
of course, if il agreed that l could best
serve my party by taking the leadership of Tam
many Hall I would take il; but am content TO
stay where | am.
There is one thing l am going TO do. how
ever. and that is to sing the praises of William
Jennings Bryan from the housetops. If the
entire Democratic party is against me. 1 be-
lieve he is the only logical Democratic candidate
for the Presidency"