Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-30
Boss of Tammany Is Carefully
Weighing the Merits of
Shepard and Is Undecided
What Action to Take
1T Is ANYBODY'S FIGHT
UP TO PRESENT TIME
Of the $50 Votes in the Con-
ventiOn Murphy Controls
213-PIatform of Demo-
Gratis is Still in Doubt

ROCHESTER. N. Y, Sept. %
Candidates rather than issues was the
big question before the Democratic state
convention. which convened here this af-
ternoOn. There was no giving of opinion
about the platform, although tariff re-
form and direct primaries were expected
to be leading features.
When the convention met today for its
preliminary organization the indications
were no chance OF candidates was possi-
BILE before this evening. Prospects are
that New York city man will head the
ticket.
The list of candidates given out by
Charles F. Murphy. of Tammany Hall,
contained the names of only two upstate
men.
With 21s of its $50 votes under his COZ
troll Chas. F, Murphy, of Tammany Hall,
was in a position TO dominate the Demo-
cratic state convention here today. Upon
Mr.. Murphy's use of this power, that
came to him through the coalition of the
delegates from New York, Kings. Queens
and Erie counties. depends the compile
ton of the ticket that will be placed
in the field to oppose the candidates NOM
mated yesterday by the Republicans.
MURPHY IN CONTROL.
Thus far no upstate combination has
developed strong enough to threaten the
supremacy of the leader. The question
was not one of the Tammany leaders
power, however, but of his disposition to
use it. While the supporters Of Edward
NJ. Shepard and the several upstate cam
didates acknowledge that the nomination
of their man depends upon Mr.. Murphy's
word, they bore in mind his reiterated
declaration that the upstate delegates
would name the ticket. But few ven
tured to predict how broad an interpre-
tation the Tammany leader would give
this promise.
There were reports early in the day
even that the New York leaders had
made up their minds that one of their
own organization men would make as
strong a run as any of the outside can
didates, and that the confidence OF a
Democratic victory this fall was so
strong they would conclude to nominate
from their own bailiwick.
SHEPARD BEING WEIGHED.
Mr.. Murphy was said to be weighing
Shepard's availability with increasing
doubt The Tammany leader was credi-
tied with the opinion that it would be
difficult to convince voters that the
Brooklyn lawyer was the choice upstate
and IL the Democratic candidate
was to run with the supposed handicap
j
well be an out and out Tammany man.
II was a question in his mind, the re-
port went on, Just how closely the vot-
ers would associate Shepard and Tam
many.
To convince the New York leaders
that there was a real demand for Mr..
Shepard above the Bronx, his friends
were busy this morning obtaining the
signatures of representatives to a state
y = -
conference adjourned at / o'clock last
night with the question OF candidate I'M
settled. Efforts 10 induce Congressman
James S. Havens to withdraw failed.
Thomas NJ. Osborne, of Auburn. stead
lastly refused 10 desert Mr. Shepard, in
whose favor alone he is willing to ac-
cept second place.
ANYBoDY's RACE.
II was still anybody's race before the
convention met this afternoon. The
events scheduled for today are temporary
organization. speech of Alton B. Parker,
temporary chairman, and the appoint
ment of committees. The first session
will begin at noon. The committee on
credentials has but one contest to de-
eide but IL is a lively one. The faction
OF the Albany county Democracy, headed
by Robert z. whalen. young attorney,
contests two districts i'm the county at
present controlled by State Committee
man Patrick f. McCabe.
The task of turning out a satisfactory
platform appears TO be giving Edward
NJ Shepard and his assistants consider
able trouble. The Democratic League and
Progressive Democracy have united i'm
demanding a direct primary plank. broad
enough to attract those who are not
satisfied with the efforts OF the Republi-
can convention I'm this direction.
TROUBLE ABOUT PLATFORM
There is discussion about which plank
should be the main one. Some declare
that the tariff should be held up as
the principal issue. with the high cost
of living as a corollary; others favor d.
rect nominations, while a third group
wants the party to push forward its
denunciation of the New Nationalism,"
which viii be interpreted to mean main