New-York tribune., 1908-07-08
MACK RUNS INTO FIGHT
DOUGLAS NAN CAUSES 1T.
More to Indorse Former Leader OF
10Th .4rouses Contest.

Another noliticai boom was nipped in the bud
last night at meeting of the regular Republican
Club Of the 18th Assembly District. when an at
tempt 10 ndorse ex-CongressTnan Niliianl faafli
Douglas as the clubs choice as a candidate lor
Governor was defeated after spirited DEBATE
Despite the temperature of 95 degrees in the clup
rooms al No. 2255 Broadway the arguments a.
times were the atmosphere ana Only
after two hours talk compromise hhAiN
reached by motion TO have the resolution taken
mn as sne,al business at the next meeting OF the
organization OF the first Tuesday in August
The dropping of a large bunch of cannon crach
ers into the club meeting could not have eNci'eu ~
more surprise in those who thought the mat
was all arranged than did the hght WHICH tiie
resolution caused. Everything had been peaceIui
before the meeting while the members were paS
ing billiards and waiting for the speakers 70 "
rive Notice that a resolution indorslng MI Doue
las had already been published IN the he"spoPe''
and the resolution had been manifolded IN tspe-
written form and copies 10 the press oy hu-
dolph Confeld. secretary of the cluo- II i0
like one of the formal fifteen minute lnooIsehe"'
meetings that are held by political assoclaohs %
often at this time Of year. Everybody knew MI
Douglas as a veteran Republican, who hves al NO
~ West 18th street which is the 18th Assembly
District. He has long been a MEMBER OF tlie oiu'
and has served two terms in Congress beSiS'
Nr Douglas isSknown as the head of the exporting
firm of Arkel e. Douglas for twenty-five years ana
is now serving his second term as presloeht oi .he
Produce Exchange. He was not at the meeting
last night
After Charles W Letter. president of the club
had called the members together. Secretary Con
field got the floor and began his speech. IN Wh1ch
he took III the qualifications of Mr.. Douglas as
the clubs choice for Governor. He was applauoeo
from time TO time. He then read the resolution
which after setting forth the fact that the ne
publican party is TO nominate its candidate for
Governor in September characterized Mr. Douslas
as "a lifelong Republican. stanch supporter OF
the principles Of the party Of Lincoln, OF Grant
and Roosevelt, who has always displayed courage
and fidelity Of purpose who has invariably iaooreo
for the best interests of his party
The resolution then forth that Mr. Douglas
possesses pre-ernent qualifications, politically
commercially. morally and socially.
II was resolved that the club should indorse him
land that our executive member and member OF
the State Committee Harry w Mack, be request
es 20 ,se eyer, means within his power to effect
his nomination. Be il further resolved Ihat d
cory Of this resolution be transmitted 10 the Hun
Timothy l. Woodruff chairman Of the State COM
rnittee and the Hon. Herbert Parsons chairman Oh
the New York County Committee
There was more applause as motion was maze
and seconded to adopt this. but when vote was
asked the number Of ayes was oVershadoWeo oH
the noes. The next surprise 10 many there was
when Harry W. Mack. the district leader, whom
the resolution requested his influence for the
douglas boom took the floor and began by saying
that 1t would be out OF the question to oppose
the nomination of Governor Hughes If he wishes
10 run again" He continued by pointing out that
there was some time before the convention, ana
that even should Hughes refuse 10 run there would
be other candidates probably.
Even if present Governor is out OF the
way" he said 1t would be absurd for us 10
plunge ahead now and commit ourselves 10 a man
so as TO preclude having voice in the counseis
regarding other possibilities. We have noteappheo
10 men Of influence in our organization this sub
sect and Tve have not held an appropriate confer
ence on it. ] move 10 lay this resolution on the
table
During this brief speech there was silence, and
Secretary Conield was leaning forward in his chair
Al last three men shouted Second the motions"
and for time the racket the banging of the chair
mans gavel and the shouts of perspring members
made it a lively scene When vote was finally
taken the resolution went to the table by % TO H.
Then there was noise and speeches and
resolutions from all sides. Finally Mr.. Conheld
sprang TO MS feet and rushed out in front Of the
desk Pointing a, finger at Mack, he shouted:
told that that was going to Introduce thls
motion and he promised me he would not oppose
II i'll had wanted to be tricky I could have got
this resolution through by not letting him know
about il"
Mr. Mack sat back and smiled, and Robert Win
ston. of the Hack Drivers Union, took the floor
He thought the resolution should have been debated
before being voted upon. Referring TO Mr.. Mack
speech he said: He has talked of leading lights
in the party who ought 10 be consulted before we
do anything That is the meaning behind his talk
! that in local matters we SIOuiu nave liSS
thought and free speech. and that we need not
consult such leading lights. 1t is different in ma
tional politics. but this is a local body and the
resolution q local matter
There were a number of attempts 10 have the
resolution brought up again. When il was finally
placed on the special business list until August one
member suggested that of men would be out
Of town next month, and the discussion should
be deferred until the September meeting William
Srr-oU Of the marine engineers union, raised a
roar OF laughter that cleared the atmosphere when
he said Why amend that. and put the reso-
luton over until after election?" This killed the
September suggestion. and after unanimous in
dorsernert Of the Chicago nominees and platform
CONGRESSMAN Olcott was called on for a brief
speech. Then an adjournment was taken.
Mack and Douglas have been close allies in the
district and together ran OF the best fights in
the city on the Parsons side In the last primary
contest.