New-York tribune., 1911-03-04
DROP SHEEHAN;; DIX
TELLS DEMOCRATS
His Election Impossible, Says
Governor, Urging Legislators
to End the Deadlock.
QUICK ACTION NECESSARY
Interference with Promised
Legislation and Need of Sem
ator for Extra Session Rea-
son for Change in Ex-
ecutive's Attitude.

Albany, March Ex-Governor Dix did all
he could to put William F. Sheehan out
Of the running for the United States
Senate tonight.
Ballot as your conscience and the VIII
Of your constituents may dictate for the
election OF a United States Senator.
whose choice will unite the Democratic
party." said the Governor 10 the Demo-
cratic members OF the Legislature to-
night In statement that Mr.. Sheehans'
election was an impossiblity.
The Governor declared that only "ex-
ceptional and peculiar circumstances led
him to abandon his policy OF non-inter-
ference. The present situation. he de-
clared. demanded the elimination of
extra constitutional obstacles TO tho
important duty resting upon the Icsis-
lature.
The Governor said that he believed at
first that Mr.. Sheehan was entitled 10
an opportunity after his caucus victory.
10 convince the dissenters in the party
and the Legislature that his candidacy
was for the best interests Of the party.
But events have since demonstrated
the mpossibility OF his election" said
Mr.. Dix, "and therefore l do not believe
that his candidacy should he further
continued
The Governor said the legislation
promised by the party was adversely
affected by the deadlock, and then re-
ferred TO the impending extra session or
Congress. He referred TO the fact that
the Democratic party Of the state would
not be represented in the Senate II the
nrescnt situation continued, and ended
his statement with the appeal for an im-
| mediate election.
As practically all the legislative Lead
ers we're out OF town tonight, 1t Is I'M
possble to predict just what effect Cow
ernor Dix's statement will have on the
deadlock 1t is understood that the Gov
ernor communicated with Mayor Gaynor
before the statement was made pubic
Friends of the Governor have said thar
no had decided that William F. Sheehan,
the leading candidate, could not 90
elected. and hoped TO see the Democratic
legislators hold another conference ana
caucus with a view 10 agreeing on
compromise candidate. Whether such
proqramme can be carried out WITHOUT
the approval of Charles +. Murphy IL
question. 1t has been said that Mr.
lrurnhy is opposed TO such a plan.
,rbe full text of the statement folio"s'
Albany March 1, 1911,
"ro the Democratic Members ot tie
Legislature:
"soon after the last election | puohcly
announced that I would not interfere
with the LEGISLATURE in the choice ot
| Senator hold that this constitutional
dutv rests upon the Legislature alone.
The prime responsibility, however ne-
wolves upon you. since YOU. constitute 'ie
ma ioritv og that body. | have steadlly
adlSred to this position in the past anu
still hold TO the same view. but t"o
nresent unprecedented and divided con-
dition Of the party's councils. in regard
70 the choice of Senator Is preventing
rho exercise of the constitutional dity
which rests upon the Legislature.
"Irnder these exceptional and peculiar
circumstances. without intending 10
modify the position originally taken oy
me or to question the usefulness ana
evidently necessary practice Of the Gus
tomary party caucus. now feel that as
member of the party, charged WIN
peculiar and grave responsibilities may
properly advise you that In my op'ho"
the present critical situation demahus
tho elimination of constitutional
obstacles 70 the important duty resting
on the Legislature.
"When Mr.. Sheehan became the choire
of the caucus ] felt that he was enutieo'
,,.ithin reasonable limits OF time. TO 'he
fullest opportunity To convince 'ne as
senting members of the party ana the
legislature that his candidacy was tor
.ho host interests of the party as
whole.
"Rut events have since demonstrated
the impossibility Of his election an"
therefore | do not believe that his cam
didacv should be further contlhueu'
Owing 10 the present situation we are
not redeeming in full the pledges made
70 the people. Inc ptoSi'sSiNN """ -
strucive legislation which we promised
10 not being advanced with sufficient
force and energy.
1--WE are confronted with special ses-
sion Of Congress TO consider momentous
issues. In such session. II the present
condition remains unchanged. the Demo-
cratic party of the State of New YORK
will be without a voice In the national
council of the United States Senate on
subjects involving the most important
and solemn pledges of our party plat
form.
"I therefore deem it my duty to advise
that YOU Immediately proceed IN the
ioint session OF the Legislature TO ballot
as your conscience and the will OF your
constituents may dictate for the eiec-
ton OF a United States Senator whose
choice will unite the Democratic party.
"(Signed). JOHN A. DIN.
runrNTrn STATEMENT