Evening star., 1924-04-25
Charles F. Murphy, Chief
Of Tan,many Hall, Dies

naming of mayors and governors and
nominees for the presidency-such is
the life story of Charles F. Murphy.
Although denied the advantages of
education because of family circum-
ership early in life and from boyhood
had been a leader of circle of one
kind or another. In all of them he
was uniformly successful, a result
that may be said to have been due to
his loyalty to friends his shrewdness
and his secretive manner. He never
discussed his plans with any except
his closest lieutenants and rarely
spoke for publication. Whenever he
consented to be interviewed he usual
ly covered what he had to say in a
sentence or two. AS result he came
generally to be known as silent
Charlie
Leadership Began in 1892.
Mr.. Murphy's political leadership
began in the eighteenth assembly dis
trict in 1892, when he became dis
trict leader after the death of Ed
ward Hagan. He had built up a
large following in the district and it
was said that Hagan owed his posi-
tion as leader largely to the influence
and financial support with which
Murphy backed him. On his death
bed Hagan named Murphy as his sue
cessor, and from that time the rise of
the future leader of the Democratic
party In New York was rapid.
Named City OmciaI.
After Robert A. Van Wyck assumed
office as mayor in 1898 he named Muir
ply commissioner of docks and fer
ries. The Van Wyck administration
was the last under the leadership Nof
the late Richard Croker For several
years prior to the election of Mayor
Van Wyck the government of New
YORK city had been subjected to Sc
we're criticism. finally resulting in the
appointment of the LeXow committee
to make complete investigation into
the affairs of the city. Sensational
testimony had been anticipated from
Mr.. Croker, but before the committee
began its hearings the Tammany
leader went to Ireland, purchased an
estate and remained there nearly
three years
Croker returned to New York and
resumed his place as Tammany lead
er to manage the Van Wyck cam
paign. Criticism of the city govern
ment continued throughout the Van
Wyck administration, eliminating in
me appointment OF the MaZet COM
mltfee by Theodore Roosevelt, then
governor, to investigate various de-
partments, especially that of the po-
lice. Croker relinquished his leader
snip In the spring of 1901 and again
went to Ireland.
Marphy Gains Chance.
That move eventually provided tho
opportunity for Mr. Murphy to be-
come leader. although not considered
as the immediate successor of Croker
Lewis Nixon had been named chair
man Of the finance committee. which
carried with it the leadership, but he
resigned before completing a year in
the Office, and Murphy was chosen
for the place. In the meantime in
dlgnation became SO intense that all
parties IN New York city fused to
overthrow Tammany, many Demo-
Gratis joining in the movement Seth
Low. who was president of Columbia
University, was elected as a reform
candidate. Thus Mr.. Murphy entered
upon the leadership during an oppo-
Sition administration. He set about
to ally the independent Democrats g
with the Tammany organiza ton. and
recognizing the necessity of naming
conservative candidate for mayor
to insure Democratic success forcaS
the selection of George B. Mcclellan
who was elected for two terms
Without aspiring to state leader
ship Mr. Murphy then turned his ar
tention toward Strengthening the
Democratic party throughout the
state. From 1892 when Roswell p
Flower was elected, to 1910 there had
been an unbroken string of Repub-
lican governors due to the fact that
the Republican.vot in the state out
side of New York city had grown to
such PROPORTIONS that even tho large
vote usually polled by Tammany
for Democratic candidates was un-
able to overcome the Republican ad-
vantage upstate.
Wins for Four Governors.
In 1910, however, the Democrats
succeeded in electing John A. Dix