New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-01
HTRPHY.S TICKET.

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Mr.. John a Dix, of Washington
County. the Democratic nominee for
Governor. was fortunate in succeeding
as chairman Of the Democratic STATE
Committee "Fingey" Corners, Of Buffalo
He shines by contrast. and that is his
title TO his present nomination and his
only title 10 election. Beside "Fingey
he looks like man who could reconcile
some decent Democrats into giving up
their confirmed habit of voting the Re
publican ticket. The contrast makes a
very ordinary man seem something more
than ordinary. ''Fingey" used double
negatives. Dix doesn't; consequently ne
is known as a scholar in politics
"Fingey'' couldn't have been nominated
for any Office by any party that was
not bent on suicide. Dix can be; there
fore. he will probably be called strong
candidate. But if he has no strength
except such as comes from having
"Fingey" as a foil the Democratic NOM
inee has no conspicuous weakness. mat
a man has been beaten for office is some
times regarded as a weakness. and Mr..
Dix was badly beaten for Lieutenant
Governor two years ago. But then
probab nobody noticed it, for nobody
knew who he was at that time He
didn't have his present advantageous
background two years ago.
He owes TO Murphy his Opportu-
nity TO shine by contrast Murphy de-
cided that the Democratic party had
been a hoodlum too long and determined
10 make it q gentleman. He cast about
for the man 10 give it responsibility, and
hit upon Mr.. Dix. of good family, col
lege graduate and scrupulous as to his
PARTS Of speech. Murphy. however.
was modest about personally superln-
tending the imparting Of reSpectablllty
tC the Democratic party, so he caused
the Democratic League. an organization
Of Democrats who had been shocked, TO
undertake the task The shockers re-
carded the edifying purposes Of the
shock with wild hilarity. "Fingey'
remarked: Take it from me. There's
nothing into it." The day seemed to be
lost for responsibility when Murphy,
abandoning his modest intention TO hide
his contribution TO political ideals and
virtue reached forth a strong hand and
pulled the offending 'Fingey" UP by the
roots. at the same time giving respect
ability and grammar the place Of honor
in the person of Mr.. Dix. The modesty
which led Murphy to seek not TO reveal
himself as the source of the party's re-
s1,ectabiiity also led Murphy to seek at
Rochester not 10 reveal himself as the
source of Mr.. Dix's nomination. But a
boss often has 10 forego bis desire for
self-effacement.
OF most Of Mr. Dix's associates on the
ticket little or nothing is known. John
A. Bensel. the candidate for State En-
eineer and Surveyor. was once Dock
Commissioner in this city and is now
a member Of the AshOkan water supply
board. He is a Tammany man. Mr.. Dix
is no orator. but Thomas Carmody, the
candidate for Attorney General. is. He
is put on the ticket for his voice.
Thomas +. Conway. the candidate for
Lieutenant Governor. owes the certain
pale and Intellectual fame he has 10 the
circumstance that be has twice been de-
feated for state office. William
SOhmer. the candidate fer Controller,
was once the Register in this city and
at another time County Clerk. He has
also served in the state Senate. His
election viii put the most important
state financial office in the hands Of
Tammany. He is now the chief financial
officer Of the Tammany Society. With
BenseI as State Engineer and Surveyor,
and SOhmer as Controller. Tammany
will fare very we'll under the next adj
ministration. if Democratic.