New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-10
Hall Can Never Win Un-
der Him, He Said, After
Last Election.
HOPES GOOD" MAN
WILL BAN GRAF TIERS
Knew Mitchell Would Win,
He Told National Demo
cratic Club Head.
INTEREST IN MESSAGE
Opinion Divided as to Whether
Letter Will Hurt or Help
Fight on Chief.

Democratic circles were deeply inter
est,d Yesterday IN the publication o.
a letter written by Richard Croker
former boss Of Tammany Hall, 20 ths
late John Fox, onetime president Of the
National Democratic Club.
In his letter Mr.. Croker, speaking oi
the election. said tho result was not
surprise to him. He expressed ths
opinion that Charles T. Murphy had
been a big handicap to Mccall and that
under his leadership Tsmmany Hal
could never win. He hoped that somo
good man would drive all them graft
rs-contractors-out."
The interest was not 80 much be-
cause Of any effect II might have upon
the effort to overthrow Murphy as In
who was responsible for its publica-
tion. It was noted that the publica-
ton. which was first in THE evening
Journal Of William Randolph Hearst.
came AT the time when Governor Glynn
and William +. McCombs were con-
ferring with President Wilson in WASH
ington on the Democratic situation in
this state.
NAV Be Reminder to Murphy.
II had been reported that either Mr..
NcCombs or Governor Glynn might gee
the indorsement Of Washington as the
candidate for the United States Senate
this fall. Mr.. Hearst as for some time
been working to get this honor for
himself. and some thought that tho
publication Of Croker's attack upon
Murphy was gentle hint TO the poss
that he had better not forget tho
Hearst ambitions.
Justice Edward F. O'Dwyer, presi-
dent Of the National Democratic Cluo.
who is lighting Iurphy's leadership
expressed the idea that the Croker lct-
ter would give impetus to the anti
Murphy movement. The opinion prev
alent in political circles, however, Sas
that it would have little effect an
Croker's influence in the local organi-
zation had long since passed away. IL
reformer could not use the fact that
Croker was against Murphy as an ar
gument for the defeat OF the latter.
Latter of tho Former Boss.
The letter was written by Croker 20
former Senator Fox soon after the last
election. Fox, who died on January 10.
spent rluch OF his time at the National
Democratic Club. and it was the onin-
ion Of some Yesterday that persons in
that organization were responsible tor
the publication. 4 Photographic re-
nroduction OF the letter was printed
and Thomas L. Smith, secretary "r
Tammany Hall, who possibly is as fd-
miliar az any one with the writing or
the exiled chief, said there was no
doubt of its authenticity. This is tn,
letter in full:
November IS, 1913.
"Glencairn, Sandyford. County Duoiin.
MY Dear Senator: IL 8 long
time since have heard from you. The
last American papers we got before
this evening we're October ~. These
are the o. 10 and II, so we got no pa
pers telling lis OF the results OF the
election.
Some one sent me The Tribune
marked with poor Michael DAYS
death. cannot tell you how very
sorry / was Never heard it until ths
dav before yesterday. ! am very snS-
ious to get The New York Times ct
November =. ! understand there yss
very nasty article appeared in !.
against me | wish YOU would send the
paper over 10 me, as / want TO see II
Il is libellous.
BE sure and send me the newspaper
OF November >, Times II this arti-
Gle is what / am told then YOU may see
me over very soon.
THE result OF the election did not
surprise me, as felt sure that Mitchell
would have a very large majority.
Murphy was big handicap on Ne
Call.
The Hall will never win under Mur-
phys management.
Il hope some good man will get in
and drive all them grafters-coutrac-
tors-out. | trust that YOU arc enjoy
ing good health. Al our old friends
are dropping of one by one and it
makes me feel sad. Mrs. Bowman
Joins me in good wishes for your good
health. Cordially yours.
RICHARD"
Tom Smith telcphonod 10 Murphy at
Good Ground and read the letter 10
him. He expressed interest. but only
laughed when asked II he would make
any comment
The executors Of Fox's will all ex-
pressed surprise at the publsation.
They are Mrs. John F. o'Bricn. John J.
cuinlan and Eugene l. Bushs. Mrs.