The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-03
MEETING OF CLUB
ENDS IN DISORDER
Chairman Declares Resolution
Denouncing Leadership of
Murphy Adopted.
HIS PARTIsANS ARE ANGRY
Tumult Reigns, Fists Are
Shaken and Threats
Made.
HIS PARTIsANs ARE ANGRY

New York, February "a meeting
or the National Democratic Club end
Cd In disorder tonight, after n rcsolu-
tion demanding that Charles f. Muir
Thmmany Hall had been declared
adopted on an aye and nay vote
When the chairman announced the
result OF the vote. the Murphy partisans
and those favorlng his retirement
started demonstration against each
other. Fists were shaken freely. threats
were made and hard names used. 1t
was fully ten minutes before n sem
blance OF order WAS restored. Friends
or MT. Murphy declared that the reso-
luton had been carried by an Illegal
vote. and said they would Law the mat
Ter IN the form OF protest before the
board OF governors OF the organization
The resolution was introduced by City
Court Justice Edward +. O'Dwycr.
president OF the club. A bitter speech
in reply TO tho resolution was made
ny Thomas L. Smith. secretary Of Tam
many Hall. whose demand that the
resolution be tabled was ignored by
Justice O'Dwyer.
Justice ODwyer's resolution read:
Resolved. That we favor tho imme-
date reorganization OF tho Democratic
State Committee and Of the county
committees In Greater New York.
That we are opposed TO the present
leadership of Charles +. Murphy, and
declare II our belief that tho inter
estn OF tho Democratic party, It's flu
ture prestige and success demand his
Immediate retirement from all partici-
patton In party affairs"
Prior to introducing the resolution.
Justice O'Dwyer reviewed past sue
cesses of the Democratic party in State
and city, and declared that the defeat
Of tho entire Democratic ticket at the
Inst election for the first time in the
history OF the party. by a majority OF
tho voters" was not the fault OF tho
candidates. for they were as good
set OF men an ever ran for Office"
The cause that lea TO our defeat"
he continued, was the isElc that was
presented to the people. charging us
with corruption and with being graft
ers. Evidence has been produced since
In court Of record that proved some
OF those charges. The people have de-
tcrmincd that the charges are truo.
They showed that at the last election.
and II we ever want to go before the
people again with candidates we Will
have to get rid OF that element IN our
party that is responsible for this state
OF affairs"
Mr.. Smith. In reply. said 1t was amaz-
ing that Justice O'Dwyer should say
that what had been brought out In the
John Doe inquiry constitutes the guilt
of every man mentioned" MI. Smith
then began n defense OF Mr.. Murphy,
concluding with motion TO lay the
resolution on the table. Justice
o'Dwyer declared the motion not in
order. and said the vote would be
taken on the adoption OF the resolu-
ton.
u thunderous AYE" WAS tho response,
and moment later seemingly just as
lound mo" WAS given. President
ODwycr then announced the resolu-
ton passed. Smith demanded that a
ballot vote be taken, but his demand
was unheeded. and the meeting ad-
tourned. After the meeting, Mr..
O'Dwyer stated that the resolution had
been adopted in regular manner, and
that the club would go ahead with It's
plans to change the leadership and
reorRanize the pnrty.