The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-05
PACKY McCABE, THE NIGHTMARE OF THE FYPERCRITCAL
Story of the Rise to Power of Albany
Democratic Leader Whom Governor
Clynn Appointed Conserva-
ton Commissioner

, Cabe will make an admirable record q
Conservation Commissioner and his
work will win praise from those who
now condemn him."
1t II not difficult after reading that to
see that the Governor was doing more
than explaining an appointment. He
was unquestlonably voicing . sincere
belief in McCabe's excellences Of char
acter and ability. And, moreover, ~
was said previously, the Governor was
paying cheerfully q political debt which
had run for many years. How that
debt was accumulated 10 an Interesting
story OF politics, practical politics. The
story Of McCabe's rise to power 10 H.
Illuminating a. regards the MANI per-
sonal qualities.
He has been the undisputsd Demo.
cratic boss Of Albany county, with q
wide influence throughout the State. for
more than twenty years. Early in the
's0s. after David Bennett Hill was
elected to the United States Senate,
McCabe found the way to realize his
ambition to become one Of the really
powerful directors Of his party In this
State. Previous to Hills election Nc.
Cabe had been an active and energetic
worker in Albany. but he had never en-.
joyed first rank as a leader.
Senator Hill moved from Elmifa to
Albany soon after his election, taking
Fritz Emmet's place. wolfert's Roost
The Senator began at once his night to
unhorse the then leader Of Albany
county. DCady Herrick, who was At
the time Supreme Court Justice. With
his potent and subtle attacks Hill BE-
gan to undermine Herricks leadership.
His most valuable Lieutenant was youns
Patrick e. McCabe. whom politicians
called Packy. McCsbs vigorously sided
with Hill and . bitter night was begun
The result Of that fight was the With.
drawal Of Justice Herrick. who had been
severely criticised for assuming politi-
cal leadership when he vas wearing
the sown Of q Supreme Court Justice.
The result Of the night, too. was to split
the party IN Albany county % badly
that the county passed into the hands
Of the Republicans. An old time Demo-
cratic majority Of 1900 or 20 was con.
,erted into . Republican majority Of
more than 1000.
With the abdication Of Herrick Nc.
Cabe became the boss OF the county. II
is true that he got there through Hills
influence. but when he arrived ne was
a real boss. Hill himself could not 90
TO a convention unless McCabe per-
United him to be a delegate. For the
most part Senator Hill and McCabe re-
manned friends. but McCabe was never
afraid to speak his mind to the SEN
ator. For years McCabe went along In
a quiet way. slowly increasing his hold
On the organization and always making
friends.
In 1904 the Saratoga convention NOM
mated Judge Herrick for Governor. The
choice was a blow and q shock to Nc
Cabe. since he had been assured BY
Senator Hill that Edward NJ Grout
would be named. On the steps Of Con-
vention Hall McCabe confronted Hfl
and there was a scene which scandal.
lied the friends Of both men.
McCabe was white with anger, mad
enough to lay his hands upon the sacred
person Of United States Senator. He
charged Hill with periidy and deliberate
deceit and accused the Senator Of with
holding his confidence. a few days Ia ter
McCabe told his wife that II he hadn't
been able to think Of her while he was
angriest he did not know what might
have happened.
Along came the convention Of 1906 at
Buffalo-the Hearst convention. Will
lam r. Hearst and Tammany were good
friends for the time being. But Hearst
and Murphy knew that It would take
a savage fight to secure the nomination
OF the editor The State committee