Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-29
LAST NIGHTS
EXCITED SESSION.
Badly MuddIed Situation Until the
We Sma' Hours of
Morn.
MURPHY IS CENTRAL FIGURE
First Effort of Tammany's Chief to
Assume Role Of National Leader
Results in n Deadlock.

Results In DclQlCck.
Baltimore, Nd, June 29.-"Boss'
Murphy of Tammany was the central
figure, in the madly muddled situa-
ton in democratic politics today.
When the national convention,
wearied with fruitless balloting for
their presidential candidate recessed
at 1905 this morning until one o'clock
this afternoon the action was on the
demand of the Tammany leaders.
Murphy was up against it. His
first effort to assume the role of q
national leader had resulted in dead
lock. 1t was expected to force fur
ther protracted sessions and may
finally result in a brand new deal so
far as candidates are concerned.
The New York leader has strictly
opposed an ultra-progressive nominee
for the presidency. He came mere
obsessed by the idea that Bryan
would try to force himself on the con-
vention. To eliminate the Nebraskan
Murphy backed Judge Parker for the
temporary craftsmanship. He won.
Then came the surprising Bryan ap-
peal to the country. The immediate
and emphatic response caused Muir
ply to back pedal. He let it be known
that no platform could be constructed
that would be too radical for him. But
on the question of candidates he balk-
ed.
Tammany swung into the Harmon
camp with the. initial ballot. 1t was
known that it didnot intend to remain
there. So the followers Of the other
candidates got busy. New York's
90 votes sound big when dumped into
the cart of the fortunate candidate
who could show Murphy that ne
should be his choice.
Underwood was and still is, be-
lieved along with Harmon, to be the
deep-down selection of Murphy, but
Bryan's attacks on the Alabama law
yer and politician have stamped him
as reactionary, despite the heated de-
malls of his hackers.
When the Champ Clark forces be-
gan to bargain with Murphy, they
found him most responsive. They had
aided him in the elimination of Bryan
and they pointed out to him that
Bryan was on record as favoring
Clark whom he had labeled with the
progressive stamp.
At lengthy conference at the
Maryland Club last night Murphy
agreed to support Clark. This fact
was carefully guarded. The Clark
men formulated a plan to swing the
convention over as soon as the vote
was announced. A spontaneous DEM
onstration to impress the other dele
gates that it was all over but the
shouting was arranged when the New
York switch from Harmon to Clark
came.
But the convention sweltered fol
hours before Murphy finally "came
through" The real reason was pecul'
iarly applicable to the personality Of
the Tammany chieftain. As each bal
lot was taken during the swelterine
session beginning at $50 last night
David r. Francis, Senator Stone OF
some other Clark boomer would leave
their seat, pass along to Murphy ant
beg him to get into the game. Eacl
time Murphy refused, and it was mo-
until the tenth ballot, when the clocl
showed that it was well into Saturday
that New York went over.
Twelve ballots had been completed
when the recess was ordered.
The one thing that gave hope of al
early settlement was the weather
1t was typical Baltimore summe
day-sweltering hot. Delegates ant
spectators groaned at the prospect o
sitting through another protracte'
session in the humid air of the con
vention hall. Thousands of spectator
who came to attend the meetings hav
already left.
SPRAJNED FOOT