New-York tribune., 1912-01-13
DEMOCRATS CONFER HERE
National Committeeman Talk It
Over" with Norman E. Mack.
mo CANDIDATE HAS LEAD
Murphy Not Present-Harmon
to Open New York Head
quarters Soon.

There was a gathering Of members Of the
Democratic National Committee at the
Knickerbocker Hotel, in this city, YESTERDAY
They discussed candidates and plans for the
convention in Baltimore. Although more
than twelve of the committeeman were
there, II was said that no indication Of who
would be nominated for President could be
gathered from their talk.
AS one Of the members put it: Every
man knows who will win. In other words,
he has a candidate. But he does not care
so much who may win as who will be
nominated. In other words, each Of us was
'stalling' to try and draw the other fellow
out
"There was nothing Of importance dccid-
Cd" said Chairman Mack in whose room
the conference was held 1T was general
talk in which no candidate seemed 10 hav"
the lead. There was an agreement on one
point however, and that was that the
Democrats are going to win this year. We
are all convinced Of that fact"
Among the prominent figures at tho con-
ference was Thomas TaggarL Of Indiana,
former chairman Of the national committee.
While ostensibly for Governor Marshall, o.
his state, for the Presidential nomination
he was said 70 he working 10 stack the
cards" for Governor Harmon.
THE Indiana delegation will be for Mar
shall" said Mr. TaCsart In addition to
the votes from our state. we expect TO get
votes from Oklahoma and Michigan. ! have
no second choice. There is no question IN
my mind that the Democratic party Will
sweep the country this fall. We have an
abundance Of good candidates, any ono OF
whom could win, in my estimation.
Among the other members OF the national
committee who conferred with Mr., Mack
were Roger Q. Sullivan, Of Illinois; John T.
NicGraw. of West Virgins W. II. DunphN'
Of washington. Frank X. Nebeker, ot
Utah: Eugene T. Reed. Of New Hampshire
Colonel Edward 7. Goltra. Of Missouri; +.
n lynch. Of Minnesota; William p. Sapp'
OF Kansas: Nathan Cole, jr, Of California ;
DR.. John W. Coughlin, Of Massachusetts,
and Trey Woodson. of Kentucky.
Mr.. Sullivan and MI Woodson left for home
late Yesterday afternoon, hut the others
remained. and will talk further with Chair
man Mack to-day. II is not decided yet
whether the Hotel Belvidere or the Emer-
son in Baltimore will be the headquarters
Of the national committee during the ma
tionaI convention. That point will not be
decided until next week.
II was said that Charles T. Murphy was
NOT in evidence I'm any OF tho conferences
Yesterday. He is keeping much in the
BACKGROUND so far as national affairs are
concerned. He is keeping in close touch
with everything that Is going on, however.
and il is understood that he purposes TO
take tbc New York delegation 70 Baltimore
for trading purposes, under cover OF being
for Governor Dix on the first ballot.
The Harmon headquarters, in the Heidel-
berg Building AT Broadway and 42d street
will he opened for business in few days
II is said they will be in charge Of Thomas
7 Tracey. a personal friend Of Governor
Harmon.
Norman Z. Mack expects to be in the
city over Monday. There are number ol
things that are troubling him, among them
his lob as chairman Of the state committee.
Charles +. Murphy, who asked him to step
r, iust before the last campaign 10 fill an
awkward gap and prevent contest at that
time has not been able to pick another
man so far.
II was understood some time ago tnat
Governor Dix would be allowed TO pick his
man for the office At first he selected
Herbert j. BisseN, OF BuIaiu. but MI
BisseU insisted that he wanted 10 he Public
Service Commissioner for the 2d District or
nothing. so his name was dropped. Then
Governor Dix suggested Samuel J. TiIdcn,
Of Columbia County.
That's a good name to coniur" with,
said a member of the committee yesterday
"one that would look good at the head OF
our roll"
Trst is abo,u all that Mr. Tiiden would
bc chosen for, as he is said to have nc
political experience so far as running
state campaign goes.
II is a question now as to whether Mur'
ply will allow Governor Dix TO pick the
man. as il is said he has not been at al
pleased with the attitude Of the Governor
toward him and ris requests recently.