The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-21
Political Tempelt Among Oem- Ocrats Mly Lead to the
 Mayors Candidacy
BITTER STRUGGLE OVER
 GUARDIANSHIP BEGINS
Move IS on Foot 10 Dust Corners From Party Councils and Question Arises As to Part Mayor Gaynor VIII
 Take in the Matter
By FRANK F. CHARLTON

By FRANK F. CHARLTON
 New York, February 20.-(Special)-T political tempest in the democratic party in New York state over the proposed ejec- tion of William J. Connors of Buffalo from his office as state chairman, gath cred fury today and while the horizon darkened MT. Connors was hurying north from Palm Beach to defend himself and his faithful cohorts were gathered in conference in the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, taking steps to turn the enemy's flank by a strategic move which would leave Charles F. Murphy plumless, friendless and politically shorn.
 The fight over state chairman, which will be threshed out at special meet ing of the committee at Albany next Thursday is being watched with interest beyond New York; for it means much to the fate of democracy in general and it may mean the sounding of the first pres idental slogan for Mayor William J. Gaynor. The struggle over the chairman ship is singularly bitter because demo- cratic leaders believe they have the best chance for victory in many years and
  President on the democratic ticket re- sides in this state.
 Hence it comes to pass that the clans have already foresathered and while the Tammany leaders are making their pro- gramme in favor of MT. Murphy the Connors contingent led by John T. Maher. MT. Connors' private secretary, are awaiting with eager expectancy the com ing of their chief tomorrow.
 MT. Gaynor is holding aloof, although he is a Kings county man. and Kings county delegates asa the pivotal poten- tialities in this struggle. Before going south MT. Connors held three lengthy conferences with Mayor Gaynor and there is tendency to the belief that there is an understanding between the two
 Waiting for Audience
 On the other hand AIr. Murphy has also conferred with the mayor although he was apparently less successful than the chairman for he made several calls at the city hall when he had long waits for the mayors attention.
 The death of Senator Pat McCarren threw the toga of Kings county power upon the shoulders of John T, McCooey of Brooklyn. Mr McCooey thus becomes a center of the maelstrom, for the time being at least. In fact, the entire out come may hinge upon the Brooklyn man.
 Murphys chief fear today, following a statement teegraphed into New York last night from MT. Connors, was that the chairman might take it into his head to betray some state secrets In last nights statement Mir. Connors used such expressions as
 r,.l,, fs, trol the state, the same way they did the city of New York.
 'They want to auction off the offices to the highest bidders The man who pays the highest price will be nominated
 "rhe senate should investigate and see how much has been paid for judgeshlps in the past three or four years.
 'I was elected state chairman for two years and l won't be dictated to by the contractors ring-Murphy and Gaffney
 Tn the Hearst campaign we were sold out by Tammany"
 These few trenchant remarks had the effect of making MT. Murphy little cal- tious. Tammany had planned a cam paign of semi-publicity, planning to make public some things about MT. Connors. Mir. Connors will nave something to say about that.
 Democrats Disconnected
 Among the old line democrats there IS q feeling of great discontent. They are chagrined that dissension should arise at a moment when the future is apparently bright. They are even disclaiming against resolution which has already been drawn for next Thursdays meeting md which will be presented by James Hagan, leader of the Fifteenth assembly district, if it is presented at all. This resolution calls attention of the voters to the fact hat the principals in the lds-Conger scandal al pl recommended Mayor Gaynor to the con sideration of the voters and calls atten- ton to his rare qualities: "qualties.' says the resolution, which eminently fit him for the office of president of the United States
 This discomfort is furthered by the ef- forts of Murphy to get control of the state machinery. The old liners fear the name of Murphy, for many bad things nave been said against the Tammany leader. These leaders are not only looking to the local situation; ttey are going ahead to the time when they must contend in q national campaign.
 MT Mahcr was sangulne tonight. He had received telesrams throughout the day. for apparently Connors had wired words of good cheer from every way station. Tonight he said
 Grip of Corners ''Mr. Connors has grip on the organi- zation that cannot be shaken. Some one will be surprised when the showdown comes. It will be found that many of the committeeman who signed the call for the meeting will vote with Connors. But if things should take a surprising turn, look out"
 It was indicated by friends of the chair man that if Murphy really showed too much strength, the state chairman would adopt sampsonian tactics and pull down the props from about them, hauling Mur- phy into oblivion as well as himself. When MT. Connors arrives tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock there will be u meeting in the Waldorf-Astoria when threats of war and shorts of battle will resound. The state leader is angry through and through and he is going ->~~~~~~-~~~~>~~~-~~ ~~~-~~~~~~-~-~-~~~~~~~ (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7.l