New-York tribune., 1911-03-07
ICONNERS AFTER MURPHY
Hurries from Florida to Help in
Fight Against Sheehan.
SEES CHANCE FOR REVENGE
Tammany Boss Meanwhile as
Stubborn as Ever in His Atti-
tude Toward Governor.

William j. Conners, VINO was tnro"h N"'
of the chairmanship Of the Democratic
State Committee a year ago, was in town
yesterday with blood in his eve. He had
nothing to say for publication, but his
friends declared that he saw In the present
division ~ the party over the election OF a
United States Senator an excellent chance
to step in and punish Charles + Murphy
for his humiliation OF a year ago.
They even went so far as 10 say that CON
ners hoped to be able TO regain his leader
ship Of the state committee. At any rate
he expected TO rehablitate himself as the
leader Of the Democratic machine in Eric
County.
Mr.. Conners cut short his vacation at
Palm Beach, Fla, and he IS here TO fight
lie is bound to make trouble for MIR. Mur-
ply and the latters senatorial candidate
William F. Sheehan.
Just who it was that Mr.. Conners saw
yesterday he would not say, but last nisht
he was in conference at the home Oh ''
Sergeant Cram. one-time bosom conipan-
ion OF Mr. Murphy but no longer SUCH, be-
cause of the "boss's" support of Mr.. Shce-
han. Mr. Cram is credited with the Will
ingness 10 start fight against Murphy IN
Tammany Hall. Conners figures that IL
such a tight could be started here he couIu
take care of the upstate situation.
Mr.. Conners will go 10 Albany on the
Empire State Express this morning to get
in touch with the situation there. From
there he will go 70 Buffalo, and the end OF
the week he will return TO this city.
May Change Buffalo Votes.
Mr.. Conners believes he can get the
eight Democrats from Buffalo who are
voting for Mr.. Sheehan 10 desert the Muir
ply candidate" said one of his friends last
night william II. Fitzpatrick. the Erie
County chairman, who wrested the leader
ship away from his last fall. understands
that his own situation is precarious. He
knows that his support Of Mr.. Sheehan
does not meet with the approval of the
organization. That Is the reason he has
been conferrng with Murphy here. He has
tried 10 get Murphy TO desert Sheehan and
put UP a new candidate
Mr.. Conners IS figuring on a break be-
tween the Governor and Murphy over the
statement of the former that Mr.. Sheehan
members Of the Legislature. He expects
that Winfield S. Huppuch, chairman OF the
state committee. will stand by tho Gov
ernor who Is his friend and business part
ner. Mr.. Huppuch having become q Public
Service Commissioner, must retire from the
chairmanshlp. BY joining hands with him
Mr.. Conners bores 10 get back into the
Chairmanship
II Is hard 10 believe that Thomas Mott
Osborne and other members of the Demo-
cratic League who were largely instru-
mental in the overthrow Of Corners as
chairman of the state committee, would
work with him now for tho overthrow Of
Murphy but Conners expects 20 be well
coined in the fGht thew are making against
Mr.. Sheehan
Murphy Defes the Governor.
Mr. Murphy the boss" was as stub
bern as ever IN his attitude yesterday. He
declared that the renuest brought to him
from Governor DIX by John A. Mason that
he use his influence with Mr. sheehan 10
have Mr. Sheehan withdraw had not
changed the situation a particle Mr..
Sheehan IS still the candidate of the ma
jority," he said II believe in majority
rule and always have believed in It"
1t was learned that Mr.. Mason, who
reached the city late on Sunday night and
returned 10 Albany early yesterday. had
seen Mr. Murphy at the latter's home at
midnight He tried 20 see Mr.. Sheehan, 1t
is said, but failed.
So far as could be learned. Mr.. Mason
took back to Albany no assurance what.
ever that, if a second caucus were called
Mr.. Sheehan would not be chosen as a
candidate a second time. lie simply got
the statement that Mr. Sheehan would
abide by the caucus, no matter who might
be chosen The insurgents would be hard
" likely, II was said, 10 enter and promise
10 abide by caucus which, controlled by
Murphy. might select a candidate even
more Objectionable TO them than IS Mr.
Sheehar.
The effect Of Mr. Conners's appearance In
the fight is likely 10 make MI. Murphy
and Mr. Sheehan even more determined
than ever 10 win along the lines they have
laid down.
Francis Lynde Stetson, one of the sup
porters of the candidacy Of Edward NJ.
Shepard, discussed the situation with Mayor
Gaynor az the city Hall yesterday.