New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-23

long before the death of the leader, Francis
Nolan, and when Mr.. Nolan died, some nine
teen years ago, Senator McCarren was chos-
en- to take his place. The district organiza-
ton, the Seymour Club, had been formed
In 1890, and met for two years in the old
armory at Metropolitan and Bedford ave-
nues. Then its first president, Edward S.
Scott, built il a house at No. 1855 Bedford
avenue, which it still occupies. When Mr..
Scott died Senator McCarren bought the
building from the estate.
Senator McCarren first became recognized
as a coming leader in the days when David
B. Hill was at the height Of his career in
the state and tried to Gust the Brooklyn
man from the state committee. McCarren
was too strong for him. He met Hills on
slaught with a spirited attack, and when the
count was taken the Williamsburg cooper
had won by two votes. About this time the
power Of Hugh Mclaughlin was waning
and the district leaders were coming 70 look
for guidance from his young lieutenant. As
early as 1890, it is said McCarren refused
to join ex-senator Michael ]. Coffey. the
Ia te Judge Delmar, Of the old 22d Ward;
the late Dan Ryan, of the sth Ward; War
den Patrick Hayes the head of the Kings
County Penitentiary, and other leaders, who
had all but a majority, to overthrow Hugh
Mclaughlin. The boss" who ruled for
more than forty years In Kings County as
the Democratic chieftain. never had more
than a bare preponderance Of loyal Ieuten-
ants in the various wards. When the propo-
sition was made to McCarren at the Demo-
cratic State Convention In Buffalo. he re-
sponded: NO, won't leave the old Man.
I recognize him as my leader. and will
follow him.
THE VAN WICK CAMPAIGN.
But by 1898 the Senator's ability had be-
come so we'll recognized that the Democratic
State Committee made him head of the
executive committee and put him. in prac-
teal charge of the campaign Of Augustus
Van Wyck against Theodore Roosevelt. The
great opportunity in the local field came Ave
years later, when Charles F. Murphy named
George B. Mcclellan for Mayor, and Hugh
Mclaughlin refused to submit to the noni-
nation Of Grout and Fornes as his running
mates. as they were already nominees of
the Republican convention. Senator Nc
Carren then wrested the leadership from the
"Old Man. though some say that even at
the last he offered to leave McLaughlin's
nominal leadership of the organization I'M
disturbed if the latter would remain regu-
Lar ana let MIN Iue campaign sep
arate headquarters were opened and there
followed one Of the bitterest and most spec
tacular political fights in the history of the
greater city. AcCarren won.
Then as soon as the smoke Of that battle
cleared McCarren began his fight to retain
Independent control Of the Brooklyn organi-
cation against the combined forces Of
Charles F. Murphy and Mayor Mcclellan
and McLaughlin's "old guard On the
primary day, despite the odds against him.
he carried seventeen of the twenty-one dis
ticts then in Brooklyn During that battle
William A Doyle, an important district
leader. went over to the enemy as leader of
the borough. He was hooted in the streets
till he finally went back to the McCarren
lines Since that time the Senator had won
all primaries, though his political death was
predicted each year. Mayor Mcclellan, af-
ter breaking with Charles F. Murphy. took
sides with the Brooklyn leader.
At the Democratic National Convention
which nominated Alton B. Parker the task
of inducing Southern leaders to remain in
line for Parker. following the arrival of the
gold telegram. fell on McCarren's Shout
ders. When the telegram came, before the
last session of the convention. ex-senator
David Bennett Hill. blue Eyed Billy Shee-
han and other leaders collapsed McCarren
stepped into the breach. Senator Pitch
fork Ben Tillman was the last to yield in
the fight of the Southern delegates against
Parker McCarren hurried TiIlman TO a
carriage. On the way to the convention
hall Tillrnan remarked: THE devil himself
has mixed up in our affairs"
'Oh, No. responded McCarren. accord
ing 10 one Brooklynite who rode in the car
riage. ''the Lord has taken kindly hold OF
our affairs" Tillman later used this in his
convention speech.
FOUGHT HEARST AT BUFFALO.
Senator McCarren fought the move TO
nominate Hearst for Governor at the Buffa-
10 convention. but was defeated by Murphy
and Corners. He came home, and in a Bit
ter speech before the county committee de-
nounced the nominee. and the way the ticket
was cut in Brooklyn led to charges OF
treason against the Brooklyn Senator. These
charges eliminated in the Carnegie Hail
convention in April of last year to name
DELEGATES 20 the Denver national couven-
ton McCarren and large part Of his
delegates were thrown out of the conven-
ton DESPITE an Injunction forbidding such
action McCarreD was also put of the state
committee. and since that time had appeared
in the committee on the proxy of Conrad
Hasenflug In this way he took his dele
CATION to the state convention in Rochester
in September OF last year. The committee
refused to seat them. but in the contest
which followed before the committee on
credentials McCarren and his men were al
lowed 10 take their seats in the interests Of
harmony. Nevertheless. Peter F. Farley, OF
Brooklyn, was nominated for State Engi-
neer without consultation OF the Senator.
and in denouncing that move he made one
o. the speeches of his life.
At the Denver national convention in the