New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-03
CONNERS HANGS ON
DEFIES {. +. MURPHY.
FapOrs Mcclellan and Expects
to Control State.

William J. Corners. chairman OF the
Democratic State Committee. told Lewis
Nixon at the Waldorf Astoria last night
that he was going TO retain control of the
state committee IL he could. and rs long
as he could. and that Charles f. Murphy's
wishes In the matter made no difference TO
him. Presumably Mr. Nixon was I'm con-
ference with Mr.. Corners as the represen-
tstiye OF Mr.. Murphy
Furthermore. Mr.. conners told Mr.. Nix
on that Democrats In the state outside of
the County Of New York seemed TO want
Mayor Mcclellan for Governor next fall.
IL Is understood that Mr.. Nixon told the
stste chairman Tammany would not at
any time stand for Mcclellan for Gov
ernor. and that sooner than take him
Charles r. Murphy would swing for Hearst
who on the issue of eliminating Corners
from control Of the state organization
would receive the support OF the new
Democratic League.
II is understood. also that Mr.. Corners
told Mr.. Nixon that il was queer
Mcclellan was not good enough for Tam
many after he had been a good Tam
many man for the last sixteen years. the
most OF which time he had been kept in
ONCE by the Aid OF Tammany votes. and he
said in about so many words that IL was
. good recommendation for Tammany to
oppose any one for Governor. as IL meant
tina; Tammany could not use him and that
the man with such opposition could not
help but be strong with the Democrats up
the state
OPPOSED TO CONNERs.
None OF this was pleasing to Mr. Nixon.
AS already stated in The Tribune. the new
iy organized Democratic League contain
ing men like ex-Judge Parker. Edward NJ
Shepard. Thomas NJ. Osborne. Robert
Grier Monroe and ex-Justice Morgan ].
o'Brien. prefers william r. Hearst to
William J. Corners as a state leader. and
there are growing Indications that sooner
than see Corners dominate the next state
convention the Democratic League. Charles
+. Murphy and William r. Hearst will be
lighting on one side. against Corners and
the upstate men
While those esteemed gentlemen across
Madison Square are passing resolutions ]
am delivering the goods" Is the way Mr.
Corners summed UP the situation In his
interview with Tribune reporter ten DAYS
ago. When seen last night he said:
I'm In town on business. not politics"
Are you as sure OF your control Of the
state committee as when you were here
ten days agol" was asked
Certainly. / am. Everything is looking
fine" said Mr.. Corners
Have you seen Judge Gaynor?'
Il saw him the other time I was down,
but not this time. I haven't any appoint
ment with him."
viii there be an early meeting of the
state committee?"
Not that I know Of" said Mr.. Con-
for
q meeting before next June, at which time
the routine business OF the committee will
he transacted"
CoNNERS ON ELECTION LAWS.
Are the Democrats I'm favor Of direct
We come pretty near having that sys-
tenn now" said Mr.. Corners. IF the Re
publicans pass a direct nominations bill, il
will suit us all right. We can get along
with almost any sort OF an election law"
During the day Mr.. Corners saw Thomas
Hassett. secretary OF the Board OF Water
Supply, and Deputy Controller John H.
TIE Brooklyn leader. Senator
McCsrren. shortly before his death, made
a deal with Corners involving control OF
the state committee. Mr.. McCooey is dis
posed TO carry out the terms OF the agree
ment. which virtually means the retire
ment OF Charles +. Murphy as the con
trolling factor Of the Democratic State
Convention next fall.
The attitude OF the Brooklyn organization
was clearly defined by Augustus Van wyck.
one Of McCooey's advisors, who at a din
ner in Buffalo last week said that the
organization recognized Mr.. Con-
ners as the leader of the party IN this
state. Mr.. Van wyck is a member OF the
Democratic League, but when II comes
20 a lineup. he stands with the Kings or
ganization. The new alignment OF Kings
with the upstate Democrats is a revival of
the old compact that for years existed be-
tween Hugh Mclaughlin and David b.
Hill. II Was what gave Hill control OF
the organization for more than ten years