New-York tribune., 1911-01-15
GRAMS BOMB ST|RS
ALBANY POLITICIANS
Supporters of All Candidates
Gasping and Wondering
What 1t All Means.
MURPHY SILENT, AS USUAL
Sheehan and His Followers
Make Light of Affair-Shep-
ard Men Jubilant and See
Telling Stroke.
rpy telegraph to The Tribune.l

rn,, Telegraph TO The Tribunel
Albany. Jan. l4-No end OF stir has oeeh
caused here by the attack Of J. Sergeant
cram on Charles Murphy. OF Tammany'
his bosom friend for years. because OF mis-
belief that Murphy is pledged TO William
T sheehan for United States Senator
sheehan men and supporters OF all the
other candidates in the field have been
going around gasping, wondering Just what
il all meant The stir, though. was all
among the men on the outside OF the poliu-
cal ring.
Charles F. Murphy read a copy OF tne
Cram statement showed agitation as much
as he usually shows any emotion, opened
his mouth as II TO say something and theh
thought better about IL. Later he went 10
his room and stayed there most OF the
afternoon and evening. To inquiries he sent
down word that he had nothing TO say
about Mr.. Grams outgiving. William r.
sheehan. suave and smiling as ever, went
about his business apparently unperturoed'
He kept the telephone wires from here 70
New York very hot for awhile. otherwise
there was no indication that anything out
OF the ordinary had taken place he was
asked what he had TO say about the cram
statement and said he hadn't read IT, but
thought ne would when he got complete
copy
DO YOU think it will make any difference
in the situation regarding your candidacy!
he was asked
well. l am still smiling" he retorted'
flashing in evidence one of his most daz-
cling Of face lighteners.
social item here aroused considerable
interest in political circles. Mrs. Wlliiam
F. Sheehan. II was announced, would as
sist Mrs. John A. Dix in receiving guests
at her weekly "at home" next Wednesday
Wednesday is the day Mr.. Sheehan VIII
or will not be elected United States Sen
stOr
Opinion in political circles divides widely
as 10 the probable effect of the Cram affair.
Tammany men close TO Murphy admit that
IL has disturbed situation here never
quite settled. The effect within the organi-
cation of Grams declaration of war they
laugh at. Nevertheless they are not over
looking the fact that IL constitutes a blow
at Sheehan and at Murphy and Tammany
in a very public fashion at a time when
Murphy desires sympathy and a suspen-
sion Of harsh public opinion instead of at
tack and criticism.
Sheehanites Call Cram Sore,
Ardent Sheehan men. evidently following
the example Of their chief, make light of
the affair Friends of the former Lieu
tenant Governor say that II he really had
placed himself under obligations to big
financial interests so that he was bound
10 serve them there wouldn't be so much
criticism Of him as there is now. They
profess 10 believe that Cram spoke only
because he found himself totally out of the
race, and was sore" They maintain that
this won't make a difference Of more than
two or three votes, at most in the caucus.
sheeban will be chosen on the first ballot,
they predict.
Shepard men are jubisnt. In their
opinion this is a telling stroke, In effect
helping along Mr.. Shepard's candidacy
greatly II shows, they argue, that the
sentiment in Tammany is not all against
Shepard. as Murphy declared, and GER
tainly can't be deemed all for Sheehan.
They figure also that this will have an
appreciable effect on Governor Dix and may
cause him to put out higher powered
stream of sympathy" for Mr. Shepard or
10 use in that candidates interest some
thing less sublimated than the aforesaid
sympathy
Plain. practical Democratic politicians OF
the horny handed. Job getting type can't
see where this helps Shepard any Ihey
admit for the sake of an argument. that
(, may disturb Murphy's bias toward Shee-
han. Some few of them 90 so far as TO
admit that possibly this and the fuss 1t
NAV stir up may put Sheehan out OF the
running. How this would benefit Shepard
though. seems 10 be beyond their compre-
bepsion As they see the situation, II
sheehan IS out of 1t Shepard certainly Is
sun further out. They are all talking
dark horse"
Parker Enjoys a Prestige.
Judge Parker, Sheehans partner, and
Daniel F. Cohalan are the leaders in this
compromise candidate gossip. Judge Park
or, il appears, would be mere or less ac-
ceptableto most Of the people who are work
ing for Sheehan if they can't have Sheehan
himself. His past political performances
have been Of such a nature that no such
attacks could be made on him as have
been made on his partner A former chiet
Judge OF the Court Of Appeals in this state
and his party's candidate for President, he
vantage now. He has a perfect respecta-
bility which most ordinary Democrats con-
.ider almost as impressive as the much
heralded Shepard brand. Moreover good
many people here never have been quite
able 10 believe that Judge Parker would not
be pleased 20 90 TO Washington as junior
Senator
II the turn of the wheel should bring
'Cohalan uppermost it would bring JOY to
tie Tammanyites more than any other one
thing. CohaIan is one of them, as Cram or
Gerard never has been. Cohalan knows the
man in the ranks, works with him, has
his respect and affection. As one OF the
leaders he has acquired a reputation for
keen sightedness and political shrewdness,
as well as unusual brain power, which has
made the average Tammany man rejoice
that he was Murphys confidant and ad-
wiser. They regard him as Tammany
Df..