The New York herald., 1922-02-07
Arthur H. Murphy,
TaxCOm missioner,
Pneumonia Victim
Democratic Leader of Bronx,
Famed as Party Peacemaker,
Succumbs in Hospital.

Arthur III. Murphy. chairman OF the
Democratic organization in Bronx
county and a member of the Board
OF Commissioners of Taxes and Assess
ments since January |, 1918. died early
yesterday morning IN ST. Vincent's Hos
pital as result of a heart attack fol-
lowing an operation for gallstones. Mr..
Murphy was 80 years old and had lived
in The Bronx for thirty years Until
about twelve years ago re had been
actively engaged I'm the liquor business.
but following active participation in
politics he disposed of his interests in
that business and devoted his atten-
tion to real estate. lie became an
authority on Bronx property values.
and this led to his appointment as a
Tax Commissioner by Mayor Hylan.
Mr.. Murphy entered the hospital a
week ago, and following an operation,
was thought TO have been recovering
Pneumonia set in. however. and on
Sunday afternoon his condition was
serious. Mrs. Mary Murphy. his wife;
his son, Arthur II. Murphy. Jr.; James
A. Hamilton. Commissioner of Correc-
tion. and George VI. 5. Schulz. Surro-
gate of Bronx county. arrived at. the
hospital just before Mr.. Murphy died.
Mr.. Murphy was one OF the best
known among the leaders of Tammany
Hall. Always an ardent organization
man, he was named first Democratic
county chairman when The Bronx was
made a county, and held the post until
his death. He was a member of the
Board of Aldermen in 1903 and again
in 1903 The latter year following the
removal from office OF Borough Presi-
dent Louis r Haffen by Gov. Hughes.
he was the Democratic candidate for
the place. but was defeated by Cyrus
Miller
Besides his widow aud son, Arthur.
Mr.. Murphy is survived by his sons
John and Charles and four sisters.
Funeral services will be held on Thurs
day morning in st. Joseph's Church.
Bathgate and fremont avenues. The
Bronx. and burial will be in st. Ray
mond's Cemetery.
One of Mr.. Murphy's chief charac
teristics as a politician was his ability
as a conciliator. This was demon
strated after his defeat for The Bronx
Borough Presidency. IIaffen, who had
been removed, projected himself into
the campaign with such a show of
strength that Charles T. Murphy. the
Tammany leader. sought to have his
Bronx namesake withdraw TO leave the
issue clean between Miller and Haffen.
He refused, with the result THAT EIaffen
tfeW enough votes 10 GSSul' MI .Nlhi
phys defeat Later he was instrumental
in getting Haffen a $500 job as con-
cutting engineer in the office of the
Borough President reuniting the Demo-
Gratis of The Eronx.
Tributes to Mr.. Murphy's memory
were paid yesterday in various courts.
Justice Joseph NJ. Callahan of the City
Court. for whom Mr. Murphy was po-
litical mentor. paid warm tribute to
his citizenship, which was echoed by
Supreme Court Justices Martin and
Tierney and District Attorney Edward
J. Glennon. Referring to Mr.. Murphy's
death. Justice Tierney said:
MY heart is oppressed by the death
of Arthur Murphy. / was with him
at the hospital yesterday and he seemed
certain of complete recovery. j knew
him more than thirty years and he pos
sessed sterling attributes"