New-York tribune., 1910-10-09
MURPHY AND THE REFoRMERs
Mr.. Menken Explains the Ar'i'uoe Oh
the Democratic League.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: have read YOUR editorial OF Octo-
her entitled "CIoak for Murphy and
note vour refsrAnee 10 the Johnson letter
to Mr.. Murphy relative to the iuncheOil Win
me. at which Mr. johnson SIa'eU '-a !
would. as prime mover in the orsahl1a'i'h
Of the Democratic League, have any one
made president that woulo Ne
10 you (meaning Murphy.
At the time these letters were puOiisheu
an emphatic denial OF sCcn SonFei sd a'lola
was made to the press. the truth OF WHICH
denial was shown by subsequent events
unless you are OF the opinion tha1 AN"iiiAs
NJ. Osborne. who vas made presiosnI ID
the league, and Robert Grier Monroe tne
local chairman. are persons OF class tnat
are agreeable 10 Murphy
The facts in connection with this matter
are: The Democratic League was organ
lied largely Trough my instrumentality
for the purpose of awakening DeiiiOC'@'io
sentiment because Of the belief on my part
Of the vital import of having a greater bal
ance between the parties 10 iIi'ui So
government At the time OF the orsaliza-
ton the question was frequently
others as active as Mr.. Johnson wnether
the purpose of the league was 10 iiiliileul-
ateIy begin an attack on the IoCai VI e@--A'
zation. The answer TO that question: was
that there was no such immaculate 'ie"
point as Ear as I was persona4iT cOh-
cerned and although every inducenlehI "e7
offered to the league to take posiuoll III
favor of the local Taumany ticket III lhe
last campaign II carefully refrained from
doing SO for the simple reason tnat rs
-,er,bershfn was formed OF independents
r,arv of whom were auu-Tamnlany- Inc
history of the league shows that the may
oraItv caulpaign out Of the way, however
Immediately offers were made by the league
m nrocure the removal Of Mr.. Conners as
chairman as the members felt that g
change would be beneficial 10 the party
and II was largely because Of the demands
Of members OF the league that MI Dl1
was elected 70 the place of state cnalrIlla
7 was at Rochester, and know the situa'
ton governing the nomination OF MI DiX
Mr Dix was not selected as personal can
didate OF Mr.. Murphy CT any one eise' II
fact. the most powerful men friendly tc
the local leader had another canolnaCe
whom they urged with all their power
The selection OF Mr.. Dix was reached De
cause OF the conclusion that II was time
for the nomination Of a high class business
man. and. further because OF the fact tina
ne alone of ali the upstate men was re
garded highly by all factions and woule
receive their general support
throughout the negotiations pending tn'
nomination Mr.. Dix worked valiantiy fol
the nomination Of Mr. Shepard. Mr Us
horne or Mr.. Havens, and II was only th'
united support of the gentlemen Just men
| toned for him that induced him TO tax
/ the nomination
! I believe from The Trfbune's sense o
right that you will IN all fairness give tn
same publicity 10 this statement that yo'
nave TO your editorial and It seems TO ms
YOU can afford TO recognize this cam
/ paign. so far, at least, as Mr. Dix Is con
/ cerned. as one where issues. and not men
should be the controlling element IN tn
voters determination.
! s STANwOOD MENKEN-
/ New York. Oct S 1910.