New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-15
New Democratic Chairman
to Bring Peace Between
Federal and State Groups.
WILSON DIPLOMATIC
POLICY ENDORSED
Support Pledged for Campaign
Republican Extravaganza
Denounced.

In the selection of Edwin T. Harris.
Of Saratoga County. as chairman OF the
Democratic State Committee yesterday
the leaders sec a lineup without fric-
ton between the local and state or
CARNATIONS and the Federal admins
tration for the coming campaign.
Whatever grudges Tammany may have
entertained against President Wilson
will be forgotten in the leadership Of
the new chairman. lie is particularly
strong with the Washington Admins
tration.
That Mr. Harris, selection was pc
culisrly for campaign purposes was
manifest in statement issued after
the Knickerbocker meeting BY Collector
Malone. The statement was inspired
to the extern. that he declared the
new chairman would be satisfactory TO
the national Administration, while dis
claiming any authority to speak for the
President
Malone Gives His O. X.
"No one Is authorized 20 speak FOR
President Wilson on any matters which
arc local TO the party in New York
state" said Collector Malone, "for the
President Is following his fixed policy
1t ,rt -. ira
But friends Of the Administration in
New York know Edwin s. Harris BY his
personal achievements. Harris has
been an invaluable counsellor 70 the
Democratic leaders in the Legislature
the last two sessions and has been Of
great aid 10 Mayor Mitchell in protect
ing New York City from the aggran-
dizemcnt Of the upstate Republicans.
The new state chairman has proved his
possession Of vision and political lead
crship. and under him the party, unified
in all its essential elements. will carry
the state for President Wilson next
fall and will elect a Democratic Gov
ernor and Democratic state ticket
Mr. Harris succeeded William Church
Osborn. who refused TO continue in the
Office. The election was not entirely
smooth sailing. Some upstate Demo-
Gratis presented August W. Merrill, Of
Utica, as their choice However, the
vote resulted in III for Harris and II
for Merrill. Harris's election was then
made unanimous. An unqualified in
.dorsement Of the Wilson Administrs-
tion was given in the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved. That. wholly apart from
and above all partisan considerations
at this period in great world crisis. We
record by these resolutions the con-
tinued confidence Of the Democracy Of
New York in the courage. the wisdom
and the patriotism Of the Administra-
ton of President Woodrow Wilson.
President Endorsed.
ITO the lingo extremist he may seem
too Jealous for peace; TO the pacifst
he may appear too earnest in prepare
ton for war, but we congratulate the
American people that at this iuncture
in our national affairs we have in the
White House a Chief Executive who ex-
emplifies the noblest virtues of Ameri-
car Craftsmanship. able. thoughtful,
considerate and courageous. avoiding
war because of the death and disaster
that follow in its wake, preparing for
war wherever and whenever humanity
or national honor demands. To uphold
these policies Of his Administration We
pledge to the President OF the United
States, Woodrow Wilson, our continued,
aggressive and answering support"
Resolutions also were passed de-
nouncing Republican extravaganza in
this state" and thanking the retiring
chairman for his three years OF useful!
service TO the party.
Al the suggestion OF fight on the
Craftsmanship a caucus OF upstate
members sent a committee OF three 10
confer with Charles F. Murphy. Tom
Smith, secretary Of Tammany Hall,
headed them off. He informed them
that Mr.. Murphy had agreed 70 keep
his hands of the Craftsmanship and 20
agree 10 anybody agreed upon by the
upstate men. Smith, however, made
a round Of some Of the outside county
members when Mr.. Merrill was nomi-
mated by David +. Lee, OF Chenango
County.
Following the rollcall OF the $50
members, Chairman Osborn announced
his retirement.
Osborn Retires: Harris Elected.
W W Farley. Of Binghsmton. nomi-
mated Edwin S. Harris. Robert A.
Butler. OF Rochester, seconded the
nomination.
The new chairman. upon taking the
gavel. declared that there WAS hard
fight ahead in the coming campaign,
but that with the cooperation OF the
county organizations he felt sure II
would be winning fight. Mr.. Harris
lives in Schuylerville. Saratoga Coun-
~. where he owns a large farm.
Although practically unknown 20 the
rank and file a. this end Of the state.
he has played an influential part In up
state politics since the days of David
p. Hll He was Deputy State Con-
'roller under Governor Glynn. Glynn
later appointed him Canal Appraiser,
from which Office he was removed by
Governor Whitman because Of his
criticism Of the financial policy OF the
sf4fp government