The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-06
SHEEHAN SAYS He
WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP
Confirms Interview Given Out
BY Charles Murphy
IN FIGHT NOW TO STAY
Determine Whether State Con-
tinues a Believer In Repre-
sentative Government


sheehan confirmed tonight the interview
given by Charles F. Murphy that though
willing at one time to withdraw his can
didacy for the United States Senate, he
is now in the fight to stay The Issue
he now says is not shall Sheehan be
elected" but shall this state continue
firm believer in representative govern
ment?'
Mr.. Sheehan defined his position in a
long letter made public here tonight, but
dated Al Albany, February 4. and adj
dressed 70 DIR. Matthew D. Mann of Buff
falo. In view of the fact that his letter
followed SO hard on the heels of Mr.
Murphy's interview he was asked today
If he could confirm that interview, and
IL the text of his letter had been shown
to Mr.. Murphy before 1t was given out.
Say for me-" answered Mr. Sheehan,
that l do not think Mr. Murphy's inter-
view requires comment or application
from me at present. 1 think it covers the
situation in itself.
LAS for my letter to DR.. Mann, Mr..
Murphy knew that l was to make public
a letter tonight, but not to whom it
tanned"
Mr.. Sheehan's letter says he did not de-
eide to seek the nomination until long
after the election, thus contradicting J.
Sergeant Cram, who asserted that Mr..
Sheehans candidacy had been determined
at Rochester in convention week. And,
Sheehan adds, having made up his mind,
he then sought the aid of Mr. Murphy
personally, not through the suggestion of
any Interests" but because he knew he
could not be nominated without it.
He won over Mr.. Murphy, the letter
says, only by demonstrating that he
could muster more votes up the state
than any other candidate
1t is true, says Mr.. Sheehan that he
has represented corporations as their at
torney. but none of them, he urges, with
two lnconspicuous exceptions, has done
any interstate business. He did not serve
the interests 20 years ago at Albany, he
writes, and If he has not served them
since in private business why should it be
supposed he would serve them at WASH
ington?
Whoever wins, he pleads it cannot fail
to be said that he has been elected by
Tammany, for Tammany holds So votes
Representative government has so appor-
toned the votes, and Representative
government must fall is his last word,
when the minority and not the majori
ty rule
Murphy Talks
When Mr.. Sheehans candidacy first
became an issue it was known here that
Governor Dix personally assured a few
friends he believed when the caucus
met that Sheehans name would not
even be presented. The event proved
the governor in error but it now be-
comes apparent on what assurances he
relied. aa N4et
How nearly he was right however,
Charles f. NJ Irphy told tonight at his
home The facts as related by DIR. Nc
Daniels were summarized for Mr. Muir
ply.
Yes" said he there is something
in that story. A state official did make
that proposal"
And Mr.. Sheehan's friends were will
ing that his name should be. with
drawn"
"They were-at that time. before the
caucus"
ut was said you agreed that Mr..
Sheehan should withdraw If Mr.. Shep-
ard did. Was Tat so?"
THAT was not necessary. Mr.. Shee-
han spoke Cor himself"
DO you know who prevented the
withdrawal of Mr.. Shepard?"
II know nothing about that"
ut has been suggested that crucial
point has been reached in this fight
and that il Is possible Mr. Sheehan will
withdraw"
IT do not see how he can withdra
He is the candidate of the party. I ex-
pect him to stay in the fight and I ex-
pect him to be elected. I expect when
the insurgents see the thing in the
right light and realize the position
they are putting the party in, they
will elect the choice of the caucus.
Right here there is something / wish
to say. 1t has been stated several
times that !. was pledged to Sheehan
and would see that he went through.
l want to deny that"
IF it seems lear that the fight will
be kept up to the end of the session
will there not be another caucus?'
II think not said Mr.. Murphy firm
ly. "Ninet- per cent of the members
are voting for Mr.. Sheehan.'
"Then this fight will be kept up?"
Yes. there Is no change whatever In
the situation.
Mr.. Shepard has not been quoted at
any time since the deadlock began,