San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-25
Dix Is Elected.


51cceeded in electing John A. Dix
| and two years later repeated their
success with the election of William
Sulzer, who was impeached before
completing the first year of his term.
Later, Alfred Il. Smith was elected
twice, in 1918 and 1922, making four
gubernatorial campaigns won by the
Democrats during twenty years OF
Murphy's leadership Of Tammany. In
the same time, the Democrats elected
two United States senators, James A;
O'Gorman and DIR. Royal $. Copeland
and in New York City. Tammany had
been successful in all the mayorality
campaign except in 1913, when the
late John 2. Mitchell, "a fusion
candidate, defeated Edward Il. Nc
Call, the Tamnnany choice. -
During his long career as leader,
Mr.. Murphy was confronted with
many controversies. sofne Of which led
to court action. In 1923, he was a
witness for what was said to have
been the first time, ina Rnit " Size,
900, which he institut<d against Luis
N. Hartog and which, becames known
as the glucose case. = O. =
Had Little Schooling.
The litigation was the outgrowth OF
a war of industry in which both were
| interested. Murphy's Testimony Was
a feature Of the trial. The Jury dis,
agreed and the case eventually was
settled out of court as was also 4
suit for. S10.000.O00 brought BY
Hartog ngainst Murphy, and Others,
|,including the Corn Products company
in which Hartog charged conspiracy
As boy, Murphy attended public
and private schools only short time
Obliged TO earn his own living. he
worked as ship caulker and in 4
wire works. AS youth, he was
leader of the boys of bis neighbour
hood because of his muscular strength
| courage and combative ability,
He had acquired local fame as the
best runner, best swimmer and oars
man and one of the best baseball
| players sin the gas house district.
At the age of IL, he organized the
SYLVAN Club, the nucleus of thu
Tammany organization in the eieh.
tenth assembly district. The mem
bers, formed baseball club knowr
rs the senators, Of which Murphy
was captain, and catcher.
In 1868, in the year the Nationa
Guard was organized. the club mad
! tour of the United States and de
/ feated mary Of the best amateur nine
| of the country. As result of thu
tour, Murphy received several offer
! to become a professional player, bu
declined them and returned to New
York to accept the humble position
| of driver of a street car.
| Owned . Saloon.
The future Tammany leader re
tanned that position until he ha
saved $500, which he invested In
saloon. He permitted the Sylvia
Club and the baseball team to us
the second floor of the building a
quarters and the place became sor
Of community club for the men. Q
the district who met there to furthe
the political interests of the district
j His business prospered and by tn
time he was 81, he was the owner Q
four saloons.
| He always took pride in the fac
. that they were. conducted in an order
lily manner and were regarded as poo
mems clubs in the neighborhood
where they we're located. From hi
business and Investments, made fror
its profits, he had accumulated cor
siderable fortune before he ascende
to the leadership of Tammany Hal
He was a generous benefacfor 9
the Catholic church and OF the poo
but the extent of his benefaetion
was known to none but himself.