New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-03
O'Dwyer's Decision on
Resolution Splits National
Democratic Club.
CRIES OF OUTRAGE
FOLLOW RULING
Justice Starts Disorder by
Placing Graft Taint on
Party Leaders.
ASK REORGANIZATION
Tom Smith "Squelches" At.
tempt of Wigwam Supporters
to Hold Rump Meeting.

to Hold Rump Meeting.
Resolved, That We favor the imme-
diate reorganization OF the Democratic
State Committee and Of the various
county committees in greater New
York; that we are opposed to tho pres
ent leadership OF Charles r. Murphy
and declare our belief that the inter
ests Of the Democratic party, its future
prestige and success demand his I'M
mediate retirement from all participa-
tion in party affairs
This resolution split the National
Democratic Club wide open last night.
John r. O'Dwyer. Chief Justice Of the
City Court. president OF the organiza-
tion, declared It carried on a viva voce
vote after refusing 10 listen to mo-
tion to lay on the table.
This action was taken amid scenes Of
Wild disorder. Justice O'Dwyer de-
clared the meeting adjourned. AS he
walked out of the room he was the CEN
tire of a score of men who denounced
him vehemently. There were sew
eral verbal alterations. which came
perlously near TO blows.
Labelled as Grafters."
Justice ODwyer said the public had
become convinced that certain leaders
in the party were grafters.
Thomas +. Smith, who, by the way, Is
chief clerk of the City Court of which
Justice O'Dwyer is the head, led the
fight against the resolutions and de-
nounced the action Of the president as
an outrage.
Pounding his fist on the table In front
Of the justice. he dared him to have
rising vote. Alderman William Ken
neatly, who comes from the Murphy
district. started a rump meeting, and
insisted upon formal protest then and
there. but Mr.. Smith and other cooler
heads decided to make a protest TO the
board OF governors.
much confusion, started calmly enough.
II was plain, however, that trouble WIS
expected. for a number Of out-and-out
Tammany men were seen all over the
hall Among the 125 members present
were Thomas F.. Smith and John w.
Keller. well up near the front; julius
Hamburger, recently Sheriff. and
Thomas f. McAvoy.- leader of the 23d
District.
AS was learned afterward friends Of
the Tammany leader did not hear that
the anti Murphy resolutions were to pe
introduced until late in the afternoon.
They had been told nothing of the kind
would be done. However, the tele-
phone was used TO such good purpose
that a good crowd OF Murphy men were
present when the meeting was opened.
Tom" Smith asserted after it was
all over that if lis motion TO lay the
resolution on the table had been put to
a rising vote it would have been car
ried UnpreJudiced observers thought
that tle division of the house was
rather close, judging from the viva
yoce vote taken on the resolution.
He knew he was beaten" said one
Of the Murphy men, referring 10 the
tactics Of Justice O'Dwyer, otherwise
he would not have violated all the rules
Of parliamentary procedure in such
shameful fashion"
II was predicted that while the fall
ure 10 permit a free expression OF
opinion on the question last night
might react against those who arc op-
posed to Murphy for the time being, the
incident had forced the question OF
Murphys leadership into the field Of
open battle.
Another meeting OF he club will prob
ably be called and an attempt made to
rescind the action, or, rather. declare
it illegal The full membership OF the
club is 725. The board Of governors
consists OF twenty -four men, most Of
them Independent Democrats. Among
them are Mr.. Smith, Judge Warren w.
Foster. Nathan Strsus, John J. Quinlan.
Michael #. DAILY. William B Anderson,
Richard Croker. Richard Croker. jr..
Theodore W. Myers and John f.
O'Brien.
The first resolution of the evening
called upon the Governor 10 send in
a special message advocating certain
amendments TO the direct primary law.
such as provisions for the same polling
places for members OF all parties and
partisan election officials.
Tom Smith quickly moved the
adoption OF the resolution. Then Theo-
dore W. Myers offered a resolution
praising the administration OF Presi-
dent Wilson and denouncing the ''ln-
visible government" Mr. Smith was
quick 10 move the adoption of this.
although it was plainly rap at Muir
ply.
But the trouble began when Prcsi-
dent O'Dwyer loft the chair and
started "a long speech He referred Ia