The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-04
His Election impossible
and His Candidacy
Should End.
PARTY FAILS IN ITS DUTY
Unless II Is Represented In tho
Senate 1t tho Extra
Session.

Commander De Kay. Gov Dix's military
secretary. arrived at the Hotel Man
haitian late last night and handed out
the following statement:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER.
ALBANY. March 3.
To the Democratic Members Of the Leeis-
idture:
Soon after the last election I publicly
announced would not interfere with the
Legislature in the choice OF the Senator.
hold this constitutional duty rests on
the Legislature alone. The prime responsi-
bility. however. devolves upon you. since
you constitute the majority Of that body.
have steadily adhered to this position
in the past and still hold to the same
view. But the present unprecedented
and divided condition OF the party's
councils in regard to the choice Of a
Senator are preventing the exercise
OF the constitutional duty which rests
upon the Legislature
circumstances without intending to modify
the position originally taken by me
or to question the usefulness and evil
IDENTIFY necessary practice OF the GUS
tomary party caucus. now feel that a.
a member OF the party charged with
peculiar and grave responsibilities may
properly advise you that in my opinion
the present critical situation demands
the elimination OF extra constitutional
obstacles to the important duty resting
upon the Legislature.
| when Mr.. Sheehan became the choice
OF the caucus felt that he was entitled.
within reasonable limits Of time, to the
fullest opportunity to convince the dis
senting members Of the party and the
Legislature that his candidacy was for
the best interests Of the party as a whole.
| But events have since demonstrated
the impossibility OF his election and
therefore ! do not believe that his can
didacy should be further continued.
Owing to the present situation We are not
redeeming in full the pledges made 10
the people. The progressive and con-
structive legislation which We promised
is not being advanced with ;ufficient
force and energy.
I've are confronted with special
session OF Congress TO consider momen-
tous issues. In such session, If tho
lpresent condition remains unchanged
the Demcratic party OF the State OF New
York will he without a voice in the ma
tional council OF the United States Senats
on subjects involving the most important
and solemn pledges Of our party platform.
Il therefore deem it my duty to adviss
that you Immediately proceed in tn,
joint session of the Legislature TO ballot
as your conscience and the will of your
constituents may dictate for the election
LOT a United States Senator whose choics
will unite the Democratic party.
) John 4. DIX"
Commander De Kay after handing out
Gov. Dixs letter for publication visited
Delmonico's. where he gave a copy Of it
to Charles F. Murphy and William +.
Sheehan. 1t was explained that Gov.
Dix wrote his letter late on Thursday
night and submitted it to his legal ad-
wiser, William Church Osborn; Thomas
Mott Osborne. his Forest. Fish and Game
Commissioner Charles f. fireman, his
Superintendent of Public Works; Chair
! man Huppuch of the Democratic State
committee and Montgomery Hare. who
} has been Edward NJ, Shepard's active
agent at Albany.
II was further explained that Gov rix
expected that his statement would be
handed out at Albany yesterday after
} noon at 3 o'clock, but he then changed
) his mind and said he would hand 1t out
at clock this afternoon from Thomson,
where he went late yeste rday afternoon
Neither Mr. Murphy nor Mr.. Sheehan
cared last night to comment on Gov.
Dixs letter. although they were inclined
TO intimate that the letter was a very
great surprise to them. From all that
could be learned it was the opinion that
Gov. Dix's letter will make little or no
difference in Mr. Sheehsn's candidacy.
IL has been known for some time that
Mr.. Huppuch and Gov. Dix's officeholders
, have been unfriendly to Mr.. Sheehan' 8
candidacy and il was rather the opinion
last night of the friends of Mr.. Murphy
and Mr. Sheehan that inasmuch as these
officeholders and MIR. Hare. Mr.. Shepard's q
representative, were present when the
letter was framed. Democrat repre-
senting the Democratic State organiza-
tion, or rather Mr.. Murphy or Mr.. Sheehan,
, should also have been pr esent.
To-day Gov. Dix's letter. it was said,
will be taken up and discussed in full.
but all the information at midnight
, after Commander De Kay had handed the
, Governors letter to MIR. Murphy and MIR.
, Sheehan was to the effect that Mr., Shee-
han would remain the candidate for
United States Senator Of the Democrats
party OF the State,
The vote on the joint ballot in the Lo
islature at Albany to-day will he without
moment. for many members are paired