New-York tribune., 1911-01-12
IN CONGRATULATIONS" SENATOR.

y
We should suppose Murphys announce
ment that he was opposed TO Mr.. Ed
ward NJ. Shepard for Senator would al
last shake the faith which the political
innocentS in the Democratic party nave
been reposing III the boss's change OF
heart. What becomes of those pest mo-
tivcs" Of which we have been so ol'eh
assured of late and that desire 10
strengthen the Democratic party ny
bringing forward its best man, now 'na'
Murphy has set his face firmly against
the one Democratic candidate for Seila-
tor whose choice would have been ac-
cepted as an indication that the party
would mend it's ways? The truth OF the
matter is that the good elements III
the Democratic party deserve the Ia'e
that has befalen them. They dellber-
ately blinked their eyes at Murphy >
we'll known character. went about assur-
ing themselves and telling the state thaI
Murphy had grown to the moral stature
of leadership and thus helped TO de-
liver their party and the state over %
the boss Their Saratoga League pla!eu
into NIurphys hands. and everything
they have since done has played INTO MS
hands and has helped to make a sit'iatloh
i'm which il is possible for him TO dictate
the choice of the United States Senator
Lacking the courage To attack the shame
full leadership of their party, they trlen
to nrctend TO themselves that there WAS
no moral need to attack ii. ana now
they have their reward. THE organlza-
tion is against their man-Shepard'
With Murphy'S word the gage is
thrown down. and who is there TO taKe
II up and oppose him. The Mayor again
saws he favors Mr. Shepard but he is IN
no positi0n to lead fight. Governor DIX
is hopefully mentioned. The better Gle
ments" of the Democracy are always
cheerfully ready TO see taken upon some
ono clse's shoulders the task of fighting
Murphy, which they themselves never
have the courage 10 assume. But Gov
erpor Dix may not unnaturally feel that
he has more immediate and pressing
duties than the reform of the Demo
cratic party at the cost of fight At
any rate. he gives no indication Of
willingness 10 allow any more than us
"sympathy'' to he drawn into the sena-
torship contest. and presumably Murphy
felt SIRE of Governor Dix before he final
ly committed himself against Mr.. Shep-
ard For the rest. there is no one to give
him battle except these better ele-
ments," who have been laboriously en-
deavoring 10 create n legend OF better
Nurphy. What respect lie has for their
nrowcss Is indicated by his tossing with
amused contempt the support Of Me
Cooov over 10 them for their Use and
profit. ,..
..Thc organization Is not for Shepard.
and although if is not declared who IS
the ORGANIZATIONS choice it is made
rlain enough in those words what kind
or man he is. Whether he is Mr. Shee-
han or some one more Immediately iden-
tilted with Tammany. he will be one OF
tbe organizationS kind Of men, true to
rho traditions of Tammany Hall and OF
thc old Hill ring. a performer OF "unos-
tentatious services" for the machine and
for those interests that stand behind
Nurphy and the machine. The virtue
and political ideals business Is over.
Nurnbv has torn off the mask when
"tbe better clements" made for him.
laughs in their faces and raises the
standard Of "thc organization.