New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-29
7 N. OSBORNE DEMANDS
/ MURPHY'S ELIMINATION
Saws It Is the Only Thing That
Can Save the Democratic
Party in This State.
LETTER SENT FROM BERLIN
upstate Leader Objects to Boss S
Rule Because It Represents
Ignorance and Com
mercialism.

Albany. June 2S.-The absolute elini-
,stion of Charles Francis Murphy as
leader is the only thing that can save
The Democratic party in this state. ac-
cordinc TO Thomas Mott Osborne. re-
GENTLY resigned State Forest, Fish and
Came Commissioner. Mr.. Osborne in a
letter from Berlin to John K. Sague.
,inA-chairman OF the Democratic League
and Mayor Of Poughkeepsie. which was
made public to-day by Francis A. VIII
lard. secretary of the league. says he
absolutely declines 10 follow Mr.. Muir
phys leadership 70 further disgrace and
inevitable defeat
Mr.. Osborne says he objects TO Mr..
Nurphy's domination because his lead
ership has stood and stands for igno-
rance and cornmercialisn1, and its treat
rnent Of legislation has been imbecillc.
When political parties are governed py
the financial interests Of its leaders in
stead of by genuine politics. then rot
,enness and dire corruption are certain
10 flourish unchecked.
But one stubborn fact blocks the way
~ the Democratic League-and that Is
the ignorance, stupidity and evil reputa p
ton Of the present control Of the party
Mr. Osborne. after pointing out that
,hA success OF the party ticket last fall
IN this state was directly caused by a
LEAGUE candidate for Governor ana
4eague activities in the campaign, goes
on TO say
During that campaign the charge was
rApeatedlv made that the success OF
me Democratic ticket meant the doIn-
marion in state affairs or ChaI4es
Wnrnhy. leader OF Tammany Hall TINS
vas indicnantly and explicitly oenled py
he Democratic candidates ana SpedhSis
Nevertheless the domination OF M
Murphy and his claim TO leadersni ,ls
shown at the Rochester convention, nave
been even more arrosantly and onenslNeH
displayed this winter; 1o1h mons IN rse ~ the
T19Islatiire That domination. II we sub
nil 20 it. gives the lie 10 al our promises
and professions.
Real Leadership Welcome.
Yet there be no mistake about this mat
tsr Those of us who object would wei,
come real leadership. Every pollucaI
party needs LEADERS, and no parry parry ot eve 81
%ew York in recent years. NO one opIeCls
because Mr. Murphy comes IRON Ne"
York; we would welcome intelligent ieao-
ership from any part OF the state
No we object TO Charles F. Murphy rs
& state leader and dominating power no.
because Of these things, but because MS
leadership has stood and stands for certain
o' First --'It7 stands for ignorance Mr.
Murphy knows nothing and cares nothing
for anything in politics when does not
inure TO his own political benefit. state
issues and national issues are alike mat
ter Of Indifference II is the perpetuaton
OF his own power for his own material ad-
r1ands that the highway bill and the con
.servation bill should be SUBMITTED 70 MIN
y is certainly not that he may ponde.
such an idea is comic but that ne may
see what there IS IN II for him
The organization OF the legislature ano
the subsequent distribution OF patronase
n Albany this winter was one OF the most
cynical exhibitions Of contempt for the
real party leaders throughout the state
thar was ever witnessed.
Not Only Ignorant, but Stupid"
second-It stands not only for lack Of
knowledge. bur for lack OF intelligence
= is not only ignorant. but stupid, not only
does y not know, II cannon earn. wheh y
Only one word can characterize It's treat
y, emf OF legislatOn-inbecility. Take one
its.ance. The annual appropriation foI
protection OF the state forest lands IRON
Hre was held up week after week and
month after month until the forests were
actually burning millions worth OF state
and private property endangered and whole
areas threatened with destruction. because
the $4,000 needed involved few appoint
nlents that Murphy could not control Thi;
IS MUrphys craftsmanship.
section
cratic party stood ready to Cooperate ir
redeerning IT'S platform promises and make
creditable legislative record. To-day the
end OF the Legislature approaches anc
What is there bur broken pledges, promise:
apathy? To-day finds the Democratic
party facing disintegration and defeat
sron1 which one thing alone can save II.
Third-But more subtly dangerous thar
ignorance and stupidity, although neces
I~srily related 10 both. is corruption. lr
party leadership is that its motive is no
political but commercial. When a man /:
guided by political motives, even II hi:
methods be questionable and his ideal:
low yet IL VIII be possible TO work with
rim in some approach 10 harmony for a.
least some immediate political end; but
With a man whose objects are purely mer
renary and selfish II is impossible 10 Worl
n politics. Ignorance may be pardonec
and stupidity can be helped. but when po
ltical parties are governed by tho fnan
cal interests OF its leaders instead Of ny
genuine policies. then rottenness and dire
corruption are certain 10 flourish un
checked.
partys Principles Eternal
have said thar only one thing car
save the Democratic party 1 do not. Of