New-York tribune., 1911-11-09
M'C0OEY NEAR THE END
Republican Triumph in Kings
Marks New Era for Democrats.
NEW LEADER TALKED OF
Judiciary Scandal and Tammany
Blight Elements for Which
Chairman Is Blamed.

The Republican triumph I'm Kings County
ends the leadership of John II. McCooey
among the Democrats. He will not be for
chilly elected but al the reorganization of
the county and executive committees In De-
cember II is expected he will retire. al
though doubtless he will cling TO the chief
clerkshp Of the Surrogates Court at 5000
year-for the present. at least Henry
Hesterberg will resume the leadership Of
the 18th Assembly District, which he laid
down at the request of the county organ
ization. and new era for Kings County
Democracy will begin.
Democrats made no secret of the reasons
that underlay their revolt. I'VE voted the
Republican ticket" they were saying about
the borough all day yesterday, because
We refuse TO be subject 10 Tammany."
Then the Willett episode had it's effect in
alternating voters Of every class. BY Dem
ocrats and Republicans alike. Mr.. McCooey
was held responsible for tho injection Of
these two fatal elements into tho campaign.
There has been nothing spectacular in
the rise and fall Of John II. NcCooey. He
began as leader OF the eastern part Of the
18th Assembly District Henry Ifesterberg
was tho leader of the more influential por-
tiOn, and was the member of the exccu-
tive committee from the district
After the death of Senator z. II. McCar-
rem, leader Of the county organiza tion. In
1892 rival factions in the Democratic party
we're reunited. victory resulted and some
one had to apportion the patronage. Mr..
McCooey vas the only important man on
~ bD tod bas q
candidate for Borough President against
Magistrate Alfred r. Steers. Mr.. McCooey
was popular and not strong enough to be
dangerous. the party chiefs believed. and
ne seemed TO stand we'll with Tammany
Hall
Henry Hesterbers resigned from the eX-
ecutive committee. SO Mr. McCooey could
Join that body. Then he was made chair
man. Nobody however, took him serious
u. The rank and file objected to his Tam
many affiliations, aud some of the leaders
said he was trying TO make himself strong
i'm his Assembly district 70 the detriment
Of Henry Hesterberg. When he became
chief clerk in the Surrogate's office the
lawyers of the county protested unanimous
lv that he was not qualified for such an
Office. He stood with Tsmmany IN the
United States Senstorship fight and in the
charter fight until he was called creature
Of &. Y. Murphy.
Just before the Democratic county con-
vention Mr. McCooey refused To allow Jo-
seph Guider to be considered for Sherih.
Mr. Guider had the support of Thomas r.
Byrnes. leader Of the 18th Assembly Dis
trict, who was angered by this action.
Then M McCooey announced that only
district leaders would be selected for the
county ticket. This caused sensation
among aspiring Democrats who were not
leaders. However, Mr.. McCooey refused
to permit tho denomination of Henry z.
Moiloy. who was not a leader. as County
Clerk, although he was backed by the
old Mclaughlin faction, now headed by
James Shevlin. lie next gained new enc
mics by supporting John i. Clarke for
District Attorney, although he had been
L., office twelve years, had lost strength
through the disclosures I'm the Union Bank
investigation, and was not district leader.
In permitting the three judiciary candi-
dates to bring action for criminal libel
against william Berri. OF THE Standard
Tnion," Mr. McCooey made his gravest
blunder. one leader said last night: NC
Cooey says that Surrogate Ketcham acted
i'm spite of his objections in the matter.
He should have had his nominees in bet
ter control Who pays any attention to
an editorial At such time II was bad
Judgment to bring such matter up in
the heat of q campaign.
After the complaint had been withdrawn
with apologies the Brooklyn leaders threw
up their hands. Not one of them was with
Mr. McCooey at Democratic headquarters
Tuesday night. He had been deserted.
The primaries brought two new enemies