New-York tribune., 1910-12-21
MURPHY FACES A REVOLT
Opposition to Shepard Reaches
Boiling Point in Tammany.
PUTS BOSS" IN A QUANDARY
Dare Offend Neither Dix Nor
Gaynor-Position Never Be-
fore So Uncomfortable.

Influences were brought to bear on Charles
F. Murphy yesterday in an attempt to
ccunteract the impression that Mayor Cay
nor is supposed to have made on him IN
favor of the election of Edward NJ Shepard
as United States Senator. Close friends of
the Tammany boss acknowledged that he
found himself in the mcst uncomfortable
position in his entire career as reader
The Tanlmany district leaders are vio-
lently opposed to Mr.. Shepard, and the
rank and file OF the organization are with
them. One OF the Tammany Senators has
already told Mr.. Murphy that he could not
be ordered TO vote for Mr.. Shepard under
any circumstances It is predicted that
other members of the legislative delegation
from New York County might break away
under such conditions.
On the other hand. Mr.. Murphy realizes
keenly what it would mean to go contrary
to the implied wishes of Governor-elect Dix
and the expressed preference of Mayor Gay
nor. Mr. Murphy is anxious to retain his
state leader ship. and to affront Mr. Dix at
the outset Of his term is Governor would
weaken that leadership to considerable
degree.
In like manner. the head Of Tammany
Hall does not want to break the amicable
relations that exist between himself and
Mayor Gaynor and he realizes that the Or
ganizatton can get vastly more considera-
ton from the Mayor by keeping his respect
than by doing something that the Mayor
believes to be opposed to the best interests
of the Democratic party.
There is a successor to John A Bensei
as member of the Board of Water sup
ply, at $1,000 year, to be appointed Tam
many would like this appointment. 1t has
been stated that Mayor Gaynor was think
ing of promoting Water commissioner
Thompson. but then there would be the
Water Commissionership to fill, at $3.50 a
year Mr.. Murphy is said to have expressed
a hope that William r. Baker. former Po-
lice Commissioner, might get this place, IL
Commissioner Thompson goes higher
There are many ways in which Mayor
Gavnor might make 1t uncomfortable for
the Tammany organiza ton, If he desired.
and Mr. Murphy has no desire to bring
about rupture in his relations with the
Mayor
The average Tammany man, however, be-
lieves that the organization is all power
full and does not see why MI Murphy
should yield to the desires Of Mayor Gay
nor in opposition to the majority sentiment
of the district leaders ASK the average
ISinnldnt man anu ic VIII icI SOo shA'
William F. Sheehan is far in the lead in
the Senatorship. yet they say that Daniel
F. Cohalan might well be taken as COM
promise candidate. They do not seem to
see why Mr. Cohalan could not be consid-
cred as an acceptable compromise candi-
date by the friends OF Mr.. Shepard.
The Shepard campaign committee IN
Brooklyn, of which eX-Mayor David A.
Body is the head, is working night and
day developing sentiment for their candi-
date They expect to convince John H. Nc
Cooev, head OF the Kings County organi-
cation. that he stands a good chance OF
having his ticket repudiated at the polls In
the next two years if he refuses to recog-
nize the demand for Mr.. Shepard's cleo
ton.
Mr.. McCooey is no more anxious to FISK
the dispIea sure of Mayor Gaynor than Is
Mr. Murphy The terms of six of the city
ma asistrates in Brooklyn expire in June
The appointments to he made at that time
are for ten years at 5000 . year and Mr-
Mc,.ooey is extremely anxious to have some
say in the selection of the men to fill the
places
There are some OF McCooey'S leaders VINO
are as strongly in favor of Mr. Shepard as
Tamn1any leaders are opposed to him. and
il is not believed that he would be able TO
control all the Kings County Democrats In
the LEGISLATURE for candidate other than
Mr.. Shepard.