New-York tribune., 1911-02-28
CONCERTED ACTION TO
FORCE OUT SHEEHAN
Democrats Opposed to Caucus
Nominee Organizing for
That Purpose.
CANDIDATE STANDS FIRM
Dix May Be Compelled to Make
Statement as Individual, but
Won't Take Place
Himself.
lBy telegraph TO The Tribune. |

way to set William r. sheehan out of the
United States Senatorship contest is TO
force him out, anti-Sheehan Democrats are
organizing a systematic campaign for that
purpose. The insurgent Democrats In the
Legislature at a meeting to-day decided to
take part in the campaign by doing what
they could 10 swing their colleagues now
voting for Sheehan into line against him.
No effort will be made for q time TO con-
centrate the anti-Sheehan men on any one
candidate. The insurgents will pick off an
organization" man here and there, as they
can. beginning with upststers who are
wavering now.
In addition 10 that, anti,boss Democrats
outside the Legislature will undertake q
little publicity work TO counteract that
done by Mr. Sheehan and others for him.
1t is likely that Edward NJ. Shepard may
address mass meeting In Brooklyn on the
general Senatorship situation with refer
ence to the Democratic party and its po-
litical prospects IN the future. Thomas
Mott Osborne and others will make speech
es having bearing on the deadlock.
Efforts 10 get Mr.. Sheehan 10 retire, both
before and after it became known that Mr..
Shepard was to take himself out Of the
contest have failed. Organization Demo
Gratis have urged him, for his own good as
we'll as that Of the party which he says
he has served faithfully for lifetime, 10
retire and obtain that much credit out of
the mess. These men say it Is not only
useless, but almost impossible, TO talk 10
Mr. Sheehan on the subject He Is rep
resented as having virtually sn obsessicn
that he is the logical and only possible
candidate for the Senatorshlp, that he must
and will be elected and that anybody who
suggests that he will be defeated eVentu-
ally, with much resultant damage 10 De-
mocracy. is scheming and sinister ind-
vidual, actuated by deep malice Some of
the men who have tired to talk with him
recently express deep regret that he should
have lost his usual accurate sense Of pro-
portion and that his keen political tudg-
nent should have been warped because OF
his intense ambition 10 gain the Senator
ship. They fea, that he is taking the fight
so greatly TO heart that his health will
suffer.
Can't Eliminate Sheehan.
According TO Democrats who have talked
with Boss" Murphy recently. he would
he entirely willing TO swing his men TO
another candidate tomorrow II Re could
SEQ any way to eliminate Sheehan. He has
had reports from prominent Tammsny men
in both houses Of the Legislature that the
upstate Democrats still voting for the eau
Gus choice are likely to break away at
any moment. Upstate men. II is said here,
have told him that they cannot hold some
Of their legislators in line much longer
He has been told that the anti-Sheehan
men in and out OF the Legislature are going
20 work on the wabbllng Sheehanites. Ato~
gether the situation. as his sentiments are
reported here, does net look roseate 10 him
Senator Roosevelt tonight made public
statement which was a challenge to Shee-
han 20 withdraw and none too veiled in
vitation 10 Boss Murphy of Tammany
to take off the caucus shackles and let
the Legislature do its work Embossed IN
future --...-- --.
ut has been amply demonstrated" lie
said, that the election Of sheehan IS en-
impossbility that his election would mean
discord and dissatisfaction in the partv
the alienation Of many who helped 20 carry
the Democratic party TO victory in 1910
and the consequent defeat Of the party next
year
responsibility for such condition would
rest squerely with Mr. sheehan and those
behind his candidacy. They feel that there
are other Democrats in the state who
would b. acceptable. and they believe thai
members Of the Legislature II allowed TO
exercise their right and duty to vote un-
trammelled by dictation from outside
sources can elect a man who will bring
credit and success TO his party and the
State Of New York"
s. me OF the upstaters in the Legislature
are becoming more restive each day. As
semblyman Seelev. Of Steuben County. and
Assembyman Patrie, of Greene are ex-
pected 10 bolt Sheehan very soon. Seeley
said tonight that he had nothing against
Mr.. Sheehan personally, but he was CON
WINGED that no choice could be reached
while Mr.. Sheehan was in the fight. and q
choice should be reached very soon for tn,
good OF the Democratic party.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Shepard has en-
couraged Governor Dix, who said to-day
that he was hopeful that the situation
would soon be cleared He feels that some.
thii.g should be done TO bring about the
election Of q United States Senator, that
the Legislature may proceed with the work
of enactlng the legislation promised by the
party in ITS Rochester platform. 1t is said
that he may soon be compelled to make a
statement as ar Individual setting forth
what he belle es to be the proper course
OF action IN oreak the deadlock
Just hcy- this can be accomplished has
not yet been decided. but the Governor has
given the matter much serious considera.
ton during the last few weeks.
Plan Under Consideration.
The most important plan under con.
sideration would release all Democrats
from caucus or other pledges and provide
for another conference freely 70 discuss
available Senatorial candidates
Il Is said that Governor Dix has como.
10 the conclusion that Il he's been pretty
thoroughly demonstrated that Mr. Sheehsn
cannot oe elected under present conditions
and that it would seem 10 be his duty, in
the interest OF the party, gracefully to re-
tire 50 that a compromise candidate may
pe agreed on.
II IL not definitely known that Governor
Dix has any special man in mind, but feels
that there are plenty OF available men ia
the Democratic party from whom candi-
date could he selected without difficulty
who would cement all factions Of the party
and satisfactorily represent the united
Democracy Of the state.
The Governor declared emphatically to-
night that he himself "is not candidate
for the senatorship, never has been and
would not accept It under any clrcum-
stances"
The Governors declaration was In re-
sponse TO an inquiry as 10 whether, If elect
ed as a compromise candidate. he would