New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-09
Bitterness Marks Row
Over Choice of First
ViCe-Chairman.
HALPlN LOSES BY
VOTE OF 2O4 TO 1923
Bird, Renamed Chairman, in
Poor HeaIth-TrOubIe Dates
Back TO Fusion Row.

Dissension in the ranks Of the Fro
gressive party in this county boiied
over last night, when the County Com-
mittee met for reorganization at Ter
race Garden and split wide open on
the proposition Of the election OF =
first chairman. After turbulen
time. Jacob X. Schifr was elected over
William Halpin by vote of 2Oi to IL
out of a total membership of 900.
Francis W. Bird was reelected
chairman by reclamation. but the sig
nificance OF the tight over the second
place, il was explained by some OF the
leaders, was due to the fact that Nj.
Birds health is poor. lie may have
TO be away great deal, and may not
serve his term out.
The trouble in the organization
dates back to the row over the ques-
ton of fusng with the Republican
organization on the judiciary, which
was decided in the negative by y close
vote in the executive committee on the
last day for fling nominations for. the
primary ballo!.
The County Committee divided
largely on the same lines last night.
Mr.. Halpin represented those who IA
vored fusion at that time, and the
Schiff candidacy represented the oppo-
Sition to fusion.
Bitterness marked every minute Of
the session. times three or four men
were clamoring for recognition by Mr..
Bird. One man was accused OF voting
three times Tor Halpin.
I'VE won't stand TOR these TammanI
methods" said william VI. Chadbourne.
One super-heated individual forced
his way TO the front. shouting that the
secretary had called the name OF Il man
not regularly elected. He seemed
ready 10 fight with his fists and it to'k
three men TO force him into the ante
room.
This will be the finish of the Pro-
gressivc party here averred BcnJa-
min Greenspsn. leader OF the 18th.
sSemblyman Michael Schaap. candi,
date for the City Court, who would
also have gone on the Republican ticko.
had fusion been put through. made !
bitter speech in nominating Mr.. halpih.
"My success or nOn-succeSS was OF
no particular moment said John j.
O'Connell. who ran for ono Of the SUI
prcme Court nominations and was de-
fcated. He il was who refused TO
withdraw when fusion was under dis
cussion.
Il wanted to prevent the sale OF the
honor OF the Progressive party ne
said, referring TO his stand then. II
wanted to prevent our party from sell
ing TO Mayor Mitchell Supreme Court
nomination for his former partner,
George Y. Mullan, whom he didn't have
the hardih0od 20 name as Corporation
Counsel
William Halpin, who last year was
the third vice-chairman. was supported
in his. fight for the first chairman
ship by Jacob j. lesser and Joseph l..
Savage, the old first and second vice
chairman respectively. Their friends
asserted that three weeks ago caucus
was held and it was decided that the
old ticket should be reelected. but that
late Yesterday afternoon they FOUND
that Mr.. Bird and his friends had
switched the slate to Jacob r. Schiff for
first vice-chairman. Schuyler VI. Mey-
ers for second and Thomas Moran for
third.
They considered it an effort on the
part or the Bird contingent to shelvc
Lesser, who as acting chairman AT the
time the fusion proposition came up
advocated it most strongly. Hurrledly
getting their friends together, tEey
decided it would be better to have
Lesser and Savage retire and 10 maze
their sight on Halpn.
1T is Just an attempt on the part
Of IIaipin to come back" said Nr
Chadbourne. Mr.. ialpin, who is the
Progressive leader of the eth District,
vas At one time chairman of the Re-
publican County Committee.
After Bird had been reelected he
took the floor and himself placed in
nomination MIR. Schif. who is the
leader OF the 26th District. Following
the announcement of Schif's election
Mr.. Meyers and Mr.. Moran were elected
without opposition. SO were Mr.. Chad
bourne for treasurer and W. A. Fergu-
son for secretary.