Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-30
tAssoclated Pressl


ROCHESTER,, N. Y, Sept. 29.-The
first session of the Democratic state
convention today was brief inter-
mission in the business that has
brought together here the delegates
of the sixty-one counties of New YORK
state. This business was the seiec-
ton of a candidate for the head or
the ticket, and it promised to keep
the leaders out of bed all night.
The convention perfected temporary
organization, listened to a brief ar
raignnent by the temporary chairman,
Alton B. Parker, of the Republicans
in general and the political ascend
ancy of Theodore Roosevelt at Sara
toga in particular. and then adjourned
until tomorrow afternoon to await the
judgment of the leaders.
All questions of availability center
around the wishes of the triumVlrate,
of which Leader Murphy of Tammany
is the dominating personality; Dom
mick Cohalon, the mouthplece, and j.
Sargent Cram, the adviser in CHER.
Norman Mack, chairman of the ma
tional committee, admits Murphy con-
trolls the situation. Out of 450 dele
gates he controls, with Kings county
led by John H. McCooey of Brook
lyn, and Erie led by William Fitzpat-
rick of Buffalo, more than 200 Up
state leaders recognize tonight the
hopelessness of effecting any coalition
strong enough to oppose him with any
show of success.
MURPHY FACES HARD PROBLEM
The problem that Mr.. Murphy faces
is one that needs all his caution. eX-
perience and judgment. He must find
a candidate who will be strong enough
to run at least even in the race with
Henry L. Stimson, backed by Theodore
Roosevelt: one who will command the
support of Democrats of all shades OF
opinion.
The names of Supreme Court Justice
James Gerard of New York and Mar
tin H. Glynn Of Albany were heard most
often in the stream of gossip that
leaked from the conference. The sup
porters of James S. Havens appeared
less confident.
The latest arrival in the lists was
Sherman A. Metz, whose name was put
forward by the Brooklyn delegation
when it appeared that the contest was
again open to all comers. 1t was still
anybody's race before the convention
met this afternoon.
The task of turning out a satisfac-
tory platform appears to be giving
Edward NJ. Shepard and his associates
the progressive Democracy have united
in demanding a direct primary plank
broad enough to attract those who are
not satisfied with the efforts of the
Republican convention in this direc-
tion, and it is probable that the plat
form committee will carry out these
recommendations.
MAIN PLANK DISCUSSED
There is discussion about which plank
should be the main one. Some de-
clare that the tariff should be held
up as the principal issue with the high
cost of living as a corollary; others
favor direct nomination, while third
group wants the party to push for
ward its denunciation of the new
nationalism, which will. be inter-
preted to mean mainly principles ad-
Vocated by Theodore Roosevelt. Along
with this would be a defense of the
supreme court from Colonel Roose-
Yelt's recent attacks.
Important meetings that may last
until long after midnight are in pro-
gress by the committee on. resolutions
and the committee on permanent or
ganiZation.
Representative William Sulzer says
he is losing no strength. Representa-
tive James S. Havens is still sure he
cannot lose
Edward M. Shepard said everything
he had heard today tended to encour-
age him.
Laying aside all speculation, the sit
uation is this: What will Murphy do?
1t was generally believed tonight he
would endeavor to make good his
promise of conciliating upstate senti-
ment, but that if he found it impos-
sible he would jam through his own
preference.
Except for the address of Alton b.
Parker today, the opening session of
the convention was purely routine. MIR.
Parker's remarks were greeted by
scattered applause
Real enthusiasm came when he lald
aside his set speech and launched with
energy into a bitter attack on execu-
tive interference in legislative and
judicial affairs and the ascendancy of
Theodore Roosevelt in the late con-
vention at Saratoga, which, he said,
had been achieved by the aid Of fed
eral officeholders in the face of in
sincere denunciation of machine rule
and the bosses.
At the conclusion Of the speech the
committees on contested seats, perma-
nent organization and resolutions We're
named and adjournment was taken
until tomorrow.
IlIDGE PARKER SPEAKS