New Britain herald., 1924-04-25
CHARLES MURPHY
 DIES IN NEW YORK
(Continued from First Page)

appointment of the Lenow committee to make a complete investigation into the affairs of the city. Sensational testimony had been anticipated from 1 Mir. Crocker, but before the commit tee began it's hearings the Tammany 1 leader went to Ireland, purchased an estate and remained there nearly three years. Crukcr Retired in 1901 Croker returned to New York and resumed his place as Tammsny lea der to manage the Van Wyck cam- paigu. Criticism of the city govern ment continued throughout the Van Wyck administration, ending in the appointment of the Mazet committee by Theodore Roosevelt. then gover- nor, to investigate various depart ments, especially that of the police. Croker relinuuished his leadership in the spring of 1901 and returned to Ireland.
 That move eventually provided the chance for Mr. Murphy 10 become leader. although not considered as the immediate successor of Croker. Lewis .A the finance committee, which carried with it the leadership, but he re- signed before completing a year in the office and Murphy was chosen for the place.
 Drive Against Democrats
 In the meantime indignation be- came so intense that all parties in New York city fused 10 overthrow Tammany, many democrats joining In the movement. Seth Low, who was president of Columbia, was elected as reform candidate. Thus MT. Mur- phy entered upon the leadership dur ing an opposition administration. He set about to ally the independent democrats with the Tsnimany or sanization and. recognizing the neces- sity of making a conservative candi- date for mayor to insure democratic success, forced the selection of George B. Mcclellan, who was elected for two terms.
 Strengthens Party
 Without aspiring to state leadership, Mr. Murphy then turned his attention 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 republican gov- ernors, due 10 the fact that the re- publican vote in the state outside of New York city had grown to such proportions that even the lapee vote usually polled by Tammany for dem- ocratic candidates was unable to over come the republican advantage up- state. Tn 1910. however, the demo- crats elected John A. Dix and two years later repeated their success with the election of William eulzer. who was impeached before completing the first year of his term. Later Alfred E. Smith was elected twice. in 1918 and 1922. making four gubernatorial campaigns won by the democrats during 20 years of Murphy's leader ship of Tammany. In the same time the democtats elected two United States senasors, James A. O'Gorman and Dr. Royal S. Copeland and in New York city Tammany had been successful in all the mayoralty cam paigns. except in 1913, when the late John Purroy Mitchell. q fusion can- | didate, defeated Edward E. Mccall, 1 the Tammany choice.
 Always Avoided Court
 During his long career as leader, { Mr. Murphy faced many controversies, some of which led to court actions, ! but he always managed 10 avoid -ap- nearing in court. In 1923 he was a | witness for what was said to have been the first tima in a suit for s115,- GOO which he instituted against Luis NJ. Hartog and which became known as the Glucose case. The litigation t was the outgrowth of war industry | in which both were interested. Mur- phys testimony was a feature of the trial. The jury disagreed and the case eventually was settled out Of as was also a suit for sio,ooo,- 900 brought by Hartog against Mur- phy and others including the Corn Products company in which Hartog charged conspiracy
 Had Little Schooling
 As a boy Murphy attended public and private schools only a short time. obliged 10 earn his own living, he worked as a ship caulker and in a wire works. As 8 youth he was a leader of the boys of his neighbour hood because Of his muscular strength. courage and combativenesss
 Prominent in Athletics
 He had acquired local fame as the N best runner, swimmer and oarsman II ,nd as one of the best baseball play CTS in the ''gashouse district" At the age of 17 he organized the Sylvian club. the nucleus of the Tammany or- ranization in the eighteenth assembly district.
 Good Baseball Catcher
 Tbe members formed baseball \ rInb. known as the Senators, of which was captain and catcher in 1878, the year the National league was