New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-04
Rebellion Splits COP.
Over Endorsement of
Bennett for Mayor

Rebellion broke out yesterday in the
ranks Of the Republican County Com
mittee of Manhattan over the ques-
tion of party regularity in the city
campaign. 1t developed that many Of
the district leaders intend to support
Mayor Mitchell instead Of William NJ.
Bennett, the Republican nominee for
Mayor. The fight will be carried to-
night into the meeting of the County
Committee in Bryant Hall. and lively
time is expected
ANY attempt to put through reso-
luton indorsing Mr.. Bennett. as a mat
ter of regularity, is bound to be bitter
ly opposed. The Mitchell and Bennett
leaders on the committee were mar
shalling their forces last night at Sc
cret organization meetings in the varl-
out Assembly Districts. The Mitchell
men are preparing a resolution indors-
ing the Fusion candidate. The align
ment Of the opposing factions appears
TO be about fifty-ffty proposition.
Hundreds of prominent Republicans
not accustomed to attend the County
Committee meetings are expected to
be present tonight, most of them to
espouse the Mitchell cause. The senti-
ment for Mitchell, irrespective Of the
primary result, was reflected at the
meeting of the committee last week.
when il adjourned without indorsing
the Bennett ticket. The Mitchell sup
porters have been gaining strength
ever since.
Koenig Still With Regulars"
Samuel S. Koenig said yesterday that
he was still with the regulars" but
admitted that he expected the fight of
his life tonight on the proposition Of
indorsing Mr.. Bennett. The chairman
has called a meeting of the executive
members of the committee for this af-
ternoon at county headquarters. los
West Fortieth Street. Chairman
Koenig intends to advise the commit
tee tonight 10 indorse the regular
ticket and then let them go to it.
Koenig and other leaders are known
to feel that Mr.. Bennett should be in
dorsed only as matter Of party
fealty, and would probably be greatly
relieved if the Mitchell men succeeded
in storming the meeting and carrying
things the other way. There has been
no disposition on the part of the county
was stated on excellent authority that
Mr.. Bennett had not seen or been in
communication with any of the Repub-
lican county chairmen since ne was de-
clared the winner over Mayor Mitchell
in the primary. II is customary for
the five county chairmen in the city to
plan and handle the campaign of the
regular Republican candidates.
Such Republican leaders as Job T..
Hedges and James X. Sheffield, presi-
dent Of the Republican Club, and 9TH
ers are expected TO be on hand tonight
10 argue the Mayors cause. The Mitchell
drive is expected TO start from the old
9th Assembly District, now the 10th,
of which Clarence Schmelzel is the Re
publican leader. Mr. Hedges and many
other prominent Republicans live in
this district.
Should the regulars" succeed III
passing a resolution indorsing Bennett
al to-night's meeting. IL is almost GER
tain that many Of the district leaders
will repudiate such action and come
out individually for Mitchell.
The Republican county committees
in Queens and Richmond met recently
but did not take action in regard TO
the Bennett ticket. Like the New York
County committee. they adjourned until
later date. The Bronx committee
will hold a meeting early next week.
The Kings County committee will meet
next Tuesday night.
Emory R. Buckner, chairman OF the
Mitchell campaign committee, yesterday
compared Charles +. Murphy TO Mayor
William Hale Thompson OF Chicago in
regard TO their attitude on American
ism as campaign issue.
THE best proof in the world that
Amercanism is paramount issue in
this campaign said Mr.. Buckner, sis
because Murphy says 4 is not. So does
Mayor Thompson Of Chicago. Murphy
doesn't want Americanism 10 be an is
sue in the campaign because Tammany
Halls representatives in the Board of
Elections have given the sleeti0n sd-