New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-05
New York County Leaders
Refuse, 843 to 223, to
Indorse Bennett
Whitman for Fusion,
Job E. Hedges Says
Patriotism the Issue To Be
Decided by Voters,
Speakers Declare

Nsvor Mitchell won clean victory
over William NJ. Bennett, in the New
York County Republican Committee
last night. when, by vote OF s4S 70
oo9. the committee refused to indorse
Vr. Bennett as the party's CANDIDATE.
Al hut two Of the loss members OF
me county committee were present
The meeting was the largest and
most enthusiastic ever held BY 'he
committee. Many prominent Repuoh-
cans. who seldom attend county com
mittee meeting were on hand 10 sp0n-
sor the cause Of the Mayor. Bryant
Pail the regular meeting place was
,rovdsd 20 overAowng. The Mitchell
forces swept the regulars before
ham on wave Of patriotism Which
iolled highor and higher as the meeting
progressed.
While no formal resolution indors-
ing Mayor Mitchell came before tne
r,estine. the committee will meet again
on October l9, when Mitchell reso!u-
,ion is expected to be adopted. Chsir-
man Samuel S. Koenig said that a spe-
cisl meeting might be called before
that time. Ex-senator Mills and other
leaders will urge an earlier meeting
The vote which showed the commit
tees reputation Of the regular KePuo-
Gcan nominee was taken on a resolu-
ton offered by State Senator Al
bert L. Ottinger, pledging the sup
port of the organization to Mr.. Ben
nett. As soon ss Senator Ottlnger
resolution had been seconded J. Leon
Honigmann moved TO table 1t, an &C
ton which would have permitted the
committee TO adjourn without deeiar'
inr in favor of either candidate. There
we're emphatic cries Of disapproval as
soon as it was introduced.
Strong speeches were made By james
r. Shefreld, president Of the Repuo-
lican Club; Job E. Hedges, former Re
publican candidate for Governor, and
State Senator Ogden L. Mills. now a
captain in General Pershings army,
but home on q short leave, urging the
committee 10 support the Mayor.
Albert ]. Berwind, of the 7th Assem-
bly, District; Joseph Levnson, Of the
lst, and John NJ Gregg, negro from
the 9th Assembly District, spoke IN
favor OF Mr.. Benefits candidacy.
Vote TO Table Is Defeated
The vote on the motion to table the
resolution had been under way for
some time when Senator Mills discov-
cred that many of those present were
voting in favor Of so doing under the
impression that they were voting for
Mayor Mitchell He corrected them, but
not until a considerable number had
voted contrary 10 their wishes. The
final vote was 1872 in favor of tabling
10 635 against
As soon as Chairman Samuel S.
Koenig announced the result Of that
vote the clerks began to take the vote
on the original resolution.
The meeting was thrown into a tu-
multi Just before the first vote was
taken by the speech of John Gregg.
lie had come to the point in his re
marks where he said that every one
rad the right to his own opinion.
People. if they wish" said Gregg,
"may even sympsthize with Ger
many He got no further. In
stsntly the hall was filed with boots
and JeeTs.
Despite the efforts Of Chairman
Koenig, the members of the commit
tee refused to permit Gregg to con-
tinue, and eventually he was obliged
10 sit down with his speech uncom-
pleted.
Throughout the meeting Chairman
koenie refrained from making any
comment or expressing n preference
for either candidate. When it came
time 70 vote on the resolution TO in
dorse Mr.. Bennett. however, the chair
mans district THE 9th voted unani-
mously against il.
Battle Begins Early
IL was 8 o'clock when Chairman Sam
- 6. Koenig called the meeting 70 or
Ger. Almost Immediately the fight be-
gan between the Bennett men. who
insisted on being regular, and the
Mitchell men, who insisted that regu-
lsrity did not count IN municipal
election.
senator Albert Oettlnger oNered a
resolution indorsing the candidacy OF
William ". Bennett for Mayor. which
was received with Kisses. When some
member in the rear Of the hall called
for three cheers for John Purroy
Mitchell, they were given with will.
In speaking for his resolution, Sena-
tor 0ettinger said that he had always
opposed direct primaries. but he knew
that Republicans would obey the law.
I've are not here to amend the law;
that will come later" said the Senator,
while the crowd cheered.
He declared that for the Republican
party 10 turn its back on Mr. Bennett
would be like running away from a
fight. "And the Republican party has
never done that" he said.
They tell me Mr.. Bennett will carry
the Borough of Brooklyn, and why
should we lay down when there Is q
chance OF electing a Republican Mayor
OF New York;"
Sheffield for Mitchell
James K. Sheffield was recognized by
the chair. He said: