New-York tribune., 1911-01-03
MURPHY TO SETTLE IT
Election of Senator Now Big
Problem for Democrats to Face.
SITUATION LITTLE CHANGED
discerning Ones Declare That
sbeehan Chances Have Weak
ened Somewhat.
rRv rel.graph to The Tribune. !


.,hanv. Jan. 2-With Governor Dix in
.rg,,rated and the organization of the Leg
,,Is,uro virtually settled by him and Boss"
,t,-ohv. the election OF a United States
s.ra,or is now the big problem remaining
,or the Democratic chiefs here. They con-
osdA that Murphy will settle Il finally. but
reanwhiIe there's more fussing and run
&c around from hotel room 10 hotel room
s,s conferring in dark corners than the
.an,.al has seen in considerable time.
There may or may not have been a
.,,nee IN the general situation to-day. It
.as not perceptible 10 the naked eye.
sora Of the very discerning declare that
,bA chances Of William F. Sheehan, who
yesterday had the lead in the race, had
r,sakened somewhat. They based this no
zion not on anything tangible. but on the
ear, that each day more and more people
are telling Murphy that he does not dare
,arroit Sheehan 70 be elected Senator II he
Sas any regard for his own safety. Reit-
grafton OF that argument, they maintain, is
producing its effect on Murphy.
AZ things stand. the contest IS between
sheehan who is very confident, and Ed
,ard N. Shepard Mr.. Sheehan thinks he
,ss things so much his own way that he
,s not opening any headquarters and will
Leave here tomorrow. Mr.. Shepard left
ts-e tonight There win be head
quarters opened for him tomorrow, though,
:, charge Of Thomas Mott Osborne. Of Au-
hum: Montgomery Hare, ex-Mayor Body
q. Brooklyn and others A general cam
rslgr Of educataion will be begun. TO reach
,be public quite as much as members Of
the legislature.
Talk of Gerard and Herriok.
Talk of Justice Gerard. Of D. Cady Her
-i:k and considerable gossip about Judge
Parker went the rounds to-day. Many
penocrats who are not much pleased at
Ire prospect Of Sheehan. but consider
themselves too good machine men for
Shepard. are talking Of "a dark horse" OF
"coro-onise" candidate. The legislators,
mostly, are talking nothing at all They
are waiting until Murphy has heard all he
cares 20 hear on all sides Of the PROPOSE
ton and announces his decision. Then
they'll vote docilelv.
Murphy was pretty busv to-day. He had
talks with sheehan, Shepard, Thomas Mott
Osborne and many other men interested IN
The Senate fight. Nr. Shepard let II be
known that he didn't discuss that matter
with him. Mr. Shepard also saw Governor
riy az the Executive Mansion. Consider
sb'A stress was laid on this by Shepard
boomers They asked II Il wasn't signif-
cant that men known 70 be deep in the
Governors confidence were working hard 10
rring about the election OF Shepard as
we're Thomas NJ. Osborne. from Auburn,
md william Church Osborn, the Governors s
legal adviser. Shepard men said they
didn't expect the Governor TO come out with
any public statement in favor of their can
6fdatA. or use any influence in any vav
on legislators. But they did know, they
sad. that he was perfectly willing 70 tell
ANYBODY interested enough n seek MS
views that he thought it would be very
good thing for the Democratic party II Mr.
Shepard were elected Senator. MANY Shep-
ard men maintain that the election Of Shee-
han would to Democratic suicide
Views Of Tsn1rnany Man.
I'm q good enough Tammany man" said
ore Of them. I am for Democratic sue
cess all the time But do you realize that
q was Sheehan more than any other man
who kept the Democrats out Of power in
This state for sixteen years. Some Demo
Gratis haven't forgotten that, If others an
rAar 10 have done So There's bigger
thing in this issue than the personality of
NJ Shepard It's the question whether the
Democratic party can rise 70 a point where
e. deserves success ar the hands Of the
public Compare the two men here-Shep-
ard and Sheehan-compare their past rec
o-ds and what they have done for the pub
Vc and their party. Could anybody hest
tate after that II we're not 20 have Shep-
ard vs might much better take Dan
Cohalar than Sheehan "'
The idea that Murphy is tied up -
sreehan By any pledge. pre- Or post cleo
ton. is secuted BY many well Informed
Democrats. They are less inclined 70 IN
dsrvalue the gratitude felt 70 Sheehan by
Democratic legislators toward whose cleo
ton be helped materially. All OF this
though. IS not discoursg ging the Shepard
boomers. They say that next week the
Shepard sentiment viii appear FAR heavier
than that for Sheehan.
We're very well satisfied a. the out
look said Thomas Mott Osborn tonight.
% haven't made any canvass Of legis-
lztors believe In the caucus wen have
sH the votes necessary 10 elect Mr.. SheP-
srd We open headquarters here tomorrow