New-York tribune., 1911-01-16
vis Supporters Say That Beyond
Question They Have the Votes
TO Select Him:
TWO THINGS CAN STOP 1T
Switch by Murphy and a
Declaration by the Governor
Shepard Men See Gov
ernor Dix as Last Hope.
nv reierraph to Tho Tribune.l

,,ocratic caucus, which tomorrow
-,.n, is virtually TO choose a successor
:. Chauncey VI. Depew as United States
s,,otor. there seems 10 be Just one man
=. tho race. He is William F. Sheehan.
,,r.odv he is being called Senator" in
,be hotel corridors
e,eeban shouters declare eXultantly
.,., they have the votes to select their
rsn beyond question. There are just
,vo provisos-that Charles F. Murphy
=, Tammany Hall does not get cold feet
.,d turn against Sheehan and that Gov
s-,o- John A. Dix does not declare
eeainst Sheehan or for some other can
didate.
Supporters Of Edward NJ Shepard are
usjng every possible effort at midnight
n get Governor Dix 10 declare for Mr..
sbeoard. Thomas Mott Osborne and
william Church Osborn went over to
the Executive Mansion for one last talk
with him.
Short of such a declaration by the
Governor. men on the inside of the stu
alton here say Mr.. Shepard will have no
chance whatever Of election. If the eau
cus we're three days off il would be a
A4erent matter for at last the senti-
r,ent in upstate districts and New York
Cry against Sheehan and for Shepard is
begnninE TO make itself felt even by
Murphy and his group Of associate
bosses.
Murphy beyond question has the votes
10 elect Sheehan. and his close friends
and sheehsn's say he intends to stick.
Yesterday at midnight there was
greater uncertainty, even in the Sheehan
camp. than there had been earlier in the
evening II amounted to a fear that
Governor Dix would come out flatfooted
against Shechan. AS a result, the dark
horse" candidates again were trotted
out-Parker. Cohalan. Herrick and Ge-
rard-but all overshadowed by Sheehan,
even in the uncertainty produced by
report that Murphy had not decided alb
solutelv. even after his all-night con-
ferenCes
Shepard men are chasing around in
circles Their manner indicates that
ney realize that nothing short OF a
henomenal overturning Of conditions
could retire Sheehan now. Thomas Mott
Osborne and William Church Osborn, OF
Governor Dix's Cabinet. Colonel Will
IAN Gorham Rice and Montgomery Hare
spent several hours in conference in the
Shepard HEADQUARTERS They decided
first TO issue statement expressing
their views. then postponed it, and
finally announced that there would be
none.
Does that mean that you consider it
as all over?" Mr.. Osborne was asked.
Y should say not" ne replied. You
can say this: We have been simply DEL
uged to-day with kilograms and letters
from all parts Of the state telling Of the
demand that Mr.. Shepard be elected Sen
ator. They all express the greatest in
terest and concern for the future Of the
Democratic party in this state
Does Governor Dix feel a similar con-
cern for the future Of the Democratic
party"
Osborne Parries Question.
Mr. Osborne gasped, parried the ques-
tion and hurried away.
Colonel Rice later said: The Shepard
committee has no formal statement TO
make except this-that we have absolute
confidence in the election Of Mr.. Shepard
and are in no wise disturbed by the
claims If other candidates"
Governor Dix remained shut up at the
Executive Mansion all day, and refused
e see newspaper men. Charles F. Muir
ply Of Tammany, though, had a long
talk with him about the Senatorship this
afternoon
Murphy himself came the nearest TO an
expression of sentiment tonight which
he has yet permitted himself to give.
rs Sheehan the one best bet?' he was
asked
Ut wouldn't surprise me If he were
elected, replied the boss, his lips curl
Ing In O. grim smile He was evidently
feeling quite satisfied with himself and
the rest of the world. Then his caution
asserted Itself. and he added:
But IT'S q long time away yet
Mr. Sneehan. if possible more suave
and genial than he ordinarily is. wearing
white Gower in his buttonhole. saun-
tered through the hotel corridors fire.
quenuy on one such expedition he was
asked IL he cared TO express his views
On the tIg problems awaiting solution IN
the Senate
"0h, no." he smiled deprecatingly. AT
the proper time / shall he perfectly will
i.ng 10 express my views, If 1t becomes
hecessary; but not now"
In the course Of further conversation
he was addressed as senator"
Wait until after tomorrow night
he replied.
DO you think it's too early TO take a
chance on the title?"
Well my political career Will snow
that that isn't the way have done busi-
ness" he retorted. Tomorrow night
Will settle it."
As a study in political values the
scenes IN the Hotel Ten Eyck tonight
should be preserved for future genera
uohs. Under the Constitution, about
which the Democrats are very solicitous
N campaign time, a United States Sen
S'or IS supposed 20 be elected by the
legislature Yet little coterie Of politi-
N@' bosses was elocting one in the hotei
Tonight, to represent this state for six
years
El:ctinq Senator at Dinner.