New-York tribune., 1911-12-05
TRYING TO GUST MURPHY
Democratic League Issues "Call
to Arms" to Party in State.
URGES REFORM IN CONTROL
Denounces Stupid and Unscru-
pulous Boss" Talk of a
Successor to McCooey.

To discuss ways and means OF preventing
Charles +. Murphy from controlling the
New York delegation to the next Demo-
cratic National Convention, the executive
committee OF the State Democratic League,
headed by Thomas Mott Osborne, had a
two-hour discussion at the Hotel Belmont
yesterday afternoon There was a good
deal of talk but it did not become crystal
lied into the form of concrete plans. 1t
was said that another meeting would be
held before long. when it was hoped a
more definite plan of action might be de-
termined upon.
BY way Of sounding the call to arms to
the Independent Democrats of the state
the following address. which was prepared
by Mr. Osborne. was approved and issued
The Democratic League calls upon all
Democrats of New York State to join In
an effort to make possible the success
Of our party and its principles III TINS
coming presidential year
The results of the last elections show
plainly that the voters OF TINS state nave
no confidence whatever IN the preSent l
control Of the Democratic organization ,
and it is equally clear that unless that
control is changed, disastrous defeat III
this state lies before us in 1917, l....
If the Democrats OF New 1OIh Npuiits
fail TO perceive that their local organlZa-
ton cannot control the Democratic vote
let them study the figures OF Kings
County, Queens County. OF Albany, Uuca
Syracuse, Rochester or BuHalo. ENeIs
where throughout the length and breadth
of the state they will find evidence OIL
the indignant population of a party or
ganzation controlled by stupid ana uh-
scrupulouS boss
The Democratic League invites the Co
operation of all Democrats throughout tIle
state i'm its effort to assist IN prlilHirs ,i <
about an organization OF the party alonS
the only lines which can or ouSht ~
command success. -.
II calls upon the Democrats in me
country districts TO enroll. 50 as TO max
their party action effective, ana upon
those i'm every county to select for the
state convention next spring the party ;
ablest and best representatives.. ohlX i ~
this way can We hope To place Ne" ho'
State i'm the Democratic column.
Members Of the league from upstate re-
norted that they had high hopes of elect
ing some delegates who would not be uhoer
the influence Of the stupid and unscrupu-
Ious boss" They wanted TO know what 'He
New York County branch proposed 10 90
toward cutting the ground from uhder the
boss" In his own territory. II was Sta'eu
that the organization here had fouhu u
hard to secure the necessary funds 10 mn
ance "A general movement against Murphy
but they hoped to be able 10 put up 5000
fight i'm the spring primaries.
(. There was only one representative
Alonzo G. Mclaughlin, from Kings county
where the late Edward NJ. Shepard was th'
guiding spirit Of the league. Some OF '"'
Now York County men thought there was
not much hore from the movement stdr'eo
against the leadership OF John II. McOooeN
They said that if Mr.. McCooey shoulu o'
deposed IT would probably mean that th'
man who took his place would De a.
sIbservient To Murphy as McCooey mas
been. Mr. Mclaughlin expressed the nope
however. that some man like Judge Angus
tus Van Wyck might be placed dt Tue
head of the organization.
Mr.. Osborne presided at tho meetihs' a"'
Francis NJ. Willard acted as secretary
Others present were Colonel ". q. Hice
of Albany: Charles f. Rattigan, OF Auburn
Frank H. Mott. of Jamestown huEA Dui
fov. of Cortland; Senator Franklin -
Roosevelt. acting as proxy for Johh n
Sague. of POughkecpsie; Congressman
Charles B. Smith, proxy for James Smith
of Buffalo: George q. Davidson. OF Buhalo
T, NJ Antisdale. Of Rochester George W.
Driscoll. of Syracuse and Lee hohhs'
Montgomery Hare. Robert Grier Monroe
and s Stanwood Menken, Of Ne" AolA'