New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-22
"Peer|ess Leader" Faces Empty
Seats Where Wilson, Dix,
Murphy and Hearst
Were to Have Sat.
O'GORMAN PRAISES TAFT
Unexpected Arrival Of Guests
at Good Ground" Is Reason
Given for Failure of the
Tammany Chieftain to
Meet Nebraskan.

dinner of the United Democracy to
William Suzer was the absence at the
Waldorf Astoria last night of several
of the party leaders. However, among
the thousand Democrats gathered were
many men Of note representing all fac
tions, and there were no inharmonious
chords.
Governor Wilson sent a letter Of re-
gret, Champ Clark did likewise, and
Charles +. Murphy, leader of Tammany
Hall, although urged by his friends to
attend the dinner, stayed away with
out written or verbal apology.
William Jennings Bryan was there,
and this was the reason openly given
by Mr.. Murphy's friends why the Tam
many leader decided not to grace the
seat reserved for him at the guest
table. He harked back, his friends
said. to the days of the Baltimore con-
vention, and refused to forget the in
suits heaped upon the New York dele
CATION by the peerless leader of Lin
coin. Neb.
Governor Dix was another guest whose
seat remained empty, and so did that
OF William f. McCombs. chairman OF
the Democratic National Committee.
William Randolph Hearst was to be
present. but reports had it that his
automobile had broken down some
where I'm the country and he could not
reach New York on time.
The only message received from Mr..
Murphy was one over the telephone for
the personal benefit Of Thomas F.
Smith, secretary of Tan.many Hell
Mr.. Murphy said that unexpected
guests had arrived at his country home
at Good Ground. and that he was un-
able to leave them.
All There for Harmony.
Whatever discord there was, how
ever, it was we'll masked behind the
great array of Democrats who during
the Presidential campaign had been
connected with all of the various camps
of Democracy. Senator O'Gorman pre-
sided, and seated with him and Mr..
Sulzer at the guest table were:
William Jennings Bryan, Senator
elect Ollie James, Of Kentucky; Martin
II. Glynn, Lieutenant Governor elect;
Morgan J. O'Brien, David Leventritt,
Justice Edward E. Mccall, Jacob II.
Schiff, D-Cady Herrick, John B.
Stanchfield, Henry Morgenthau, Her
ID ID,
E. Mack, William G. McAdoo, George
NJ. Palmer, Bird S. Coler. Perry Bel
mont Thomas f. Donnelly, John Fl.
McCooey, John Fox, former Senator
William A. Clark. James A. Phelan and
Representative Jefferson NJ. Levy.
The speakers were Mr.. Sulzer, Ollie
James, Justice Mccall. Augustus
Thomas and Mr.. Bryan.
Governor Wilson's letter of regret
was as follows:
1t is with great regret that find my
self unable because of public duties which
are pressing upon me to attend the din
ner to MIR. Suizer. 1t would afford me
a great deal of pleasure to be present
fna fof Mr. 2 saPzes ama y xsfs ssonence S
his administration Of the great office OF
Governor OF New York will rebound not
only to his credit but TO the Strengthening
of the party TO which he belongs.
The feeling of aloofness found an
echo at some of the other tables be-
sides that occupied by the speakers and
guests. Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler,
former Lieutenant Governor found
himself placed at table where he did
not recognize a single face known to
him. He objected. and wanted TO find
a seat among men with whom he was
acquainted, but failing to be accom-
modated, he left the dinner to satisfy
his hunger at his club.
O'Gorman Toasts Taft.
Before introducing the speakers Sen
ator O'Gorman paid tribute to Presi-
dent Taft Asking the diners to drink
to the happiness Of the Chief Execu-
tive Of the nation, Senator OGorman
said:
IT am certain that express the SEN
timents of the people of New York IL
say that President Taft will carry
the DcSl WISHES lol
ness Of all the people regardless Of
political faith"
He then congratulated the Democ-
racy not merely because the party had
triumphed at the recent election, but
because In Woodrow Wilson it had OBJ
tained q President, who combined some
of the best qualities Of Thomas Jeffer-
son. Andrew Jackson and Abraham
Lincoln.
Introducing Mr.. Sulzer. the Senator
said that the Governor had OBJ
tanned his elevation To the high post
after many years of sacrifice and de-
yotion to the peoples cause.
Governor Sulzer said In part:
MY friends-and I say friends" ad-
yisedly, because here assembled are some
of the best friends ! have In all this
world-I cannot tell you how much ap-
preciate the compliment of this banquet
In my honor. j am grateful TO all. each
and every one. and gratitude with me Is
the fairest flower that sheds its perfume
In the human heart.
Regrets Wilson Was Absent.
The wisest Of the ancients declared that
man was rich beyond the dreams of
avarice II he could count In fortune and
misfortune his true friends on the fingers
of one hand. You are all my friends.
and know whereof / speak. for I have
tested your friendship many times In sun