The New York herald., 1922-08-16
Announcement Gives Rally
ing Point for Anti-Hearst
Democrats.
JOLT TO PUBLISHER
Tammany Hears COnners Plans
to Enter Fuhrmann as
New Candidate.

Former Governor Alfred E. Smith
will accept the Democratic nomination
for Governor this fall If 1t is the will
of the convention.
That declaration, made last night in
reply to a direct question put to him
by Franklin ID. Roosevelt In a letter
published yesterday is the most Sc
we're blow yet dealt to the candidacy
of William Randolph Hearst for the
nomination. 1t gives the enemies of
the publisher the rallying figure
around which to make their fight
against him. 1t means a drive to
pledge delegates to the State conven-
ton for AL Smith, so that they may not
be free to go over to Mr.. Hearst either
before or at the time of the convention.
Former Governors Letter.
The former Governors letter to Mr..
Roosevelt reads:
August Is. 1922.
DEAR FRANK:
Il have your letter of August 13 and
have carefully read 1t. I appreciate
Your kindly sentiments and they compel
me to talk to you from my heart.
would not he entirely frank with you
If / did not admit that evidence has
been presented to me which would in
dicate desire on the part OF the Dem
ocratic rank and file that again take
the post of leadership. 1t has been and
Is still my desire to remain In business
life for the reason you state in your
letter--for my family's sake-but dur
ing the past twenty years, I have been
so honored by my party. that even the
members of my family would be dissatis-
fled if did not answer the call
Therefore, considering the facts as
know them and answering your letter,
! feel myself that would be ungratefn
If I were to say that would be un-
willing to assume the leadership.
"The State Convention win be COM
posed OF elected representatives Of the
rank and file of the Democratic party
throughout the State. They will un-
doubtedly come TO the convention alive
to the sentiment in their respective dis
tricts. II a majority of them desire me
TO accept the nomination for Governor
and lead the party in this State TO what
seems to me 10 be a certain victory /
am entirely willing to accept this honor
from their hands and battle for them
with all the energy and vigor that !
POSSESS.
with kind regards to your mother
and Mrs. Roosevelt and all the chill :
dren, | am, sincerely yours. AL"
Pleased smile From Murphy.
Charles L. Murphy was comforting al
Tammany Hall with his district leaders
over the local slate when copy of
Smiths letter was brought In. He read
II and smiled broadly. but refused COM
ment for publication. 1t may be as
sumed the situation is working out sat-
isfactorily to him. News of the Smith
declaration spread rapidly through the
hall and there was a great demand to
read the letter and much rejoicing.
Although neither Mr.. Roosevelt's let
ter nor Mr.. Smiths reply mentioned MI
Hearst. 1t was understood on both sides
that the fight TO be made was against
the publisher. The feeling seemed quite
general that AL Smiths WILLINGNESS u
take the nomination had cut the ground
from under the Hearst movement
Tom (Thomas FL Foley, leader OF
the First Assembly district and irnplaca-
bile foe of Hearst, was not at the hall.
but the news was quickly conveyed TO
him. lie was loath to talk about Mr..
Hearst last night, but did say:
Il think AIS letter is good plain
ktateHltHt. IL IdQ 10 come. And there
can't be any criticism OF it,"
THAT settles It," remarked Renre-
sentative Daniel j.. Riordan. Foiey's
right hand man. Il think AIRS name will
be the only one presented to the conven-
ton"
Peit ouitc Diplomatic.
Herbert c. Pell chairman OF the state
committee, who makes Il a business
these days TO be ut the hall when Mr..
Murphy is there, said
~ am glad Mr.. Smith has written
this letter. The Governorship Of the
Empire State Is one OF the most i'm
portant in the United States, being sec
ond only to the Presidency / am glad
that no member Of our party would
tirn down such an offer IL made to
him.
My own aim win be TO see that the
delegates 20 the convention have the
greatest opportunity TO express their
preferences"
Jeremiah T. Mahoney. leader or the
Fifteenth district, regarded as particu-
ierly close to Mr.. Murphy. was bubbllng
over with good cheer, but careful In his
s1presslons:
1T Is q very good ,atter.' he said
very well written ! should say. felt
sure that no one would refuse 10 ac-
ccpt nomination offered by a Demo-
cratic convention"
Half a dozen or more counties have
already gone on record IN formal reso-
lutions for Smith, including Erie. Jeffer-
son. Washington. Lewis and Onondaga.
The antl-Hearst leaders however, found
Il hard TO work against powerful in
fluences that had been brought to bear
by the publisher when the feeling seemed
10 prevail that Smith would not accept
nomination for Governor this year
That obstacle has now been removed.
The situation remains open for sclec-
tion Of q candidate other than Mr. gnnith