Empire Democracy To Combat Murphy.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 13, 1912:
Independents Organize It to End His Control and to Carry State for Wilson.
SENATOR ROOSEVELT LEADER
It Will Elect Delegates to State Convention and Fight for an Anti-Men-of-Wax Ticket.
    A new insurgent movement is about to be started in the Democratic Party in this State. Senator Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won fame as leader of the insurgents who defeated Tammany Leader Charles F. Murphy in his purpose to send William F. Sheehan to the United States Senate, is its moving spirit. The new insurgent organization, which is to be known as the Empire State Democracy, will be State-wide in its purposes and membership. A preliminary meeting for purposes of organization has been called for next Wednesday evening at the Hotel Belmont.
    The first step toward the formation of the Empire State Democracy was taken at an informal meeting recently held in this city. Most of the men who attended this meeting were members of the Democratic League who had gone to Baltimore as an independent and unofficial delegation to protest against the attitude taken by Tammany Leader Murphy and a majority of the New York delegates, whom William J. Bryan in one of his statements characterized as "wax figures." At this meeting the following circular letter was drafted and ordered sent to independent Democrats throughout the
State:
            Empire State Democracy,
        31 Nassau Street, New York City.
                  July 11, 1912.
    Dear Sir: After the nomination of Gov. Wilson at Baltimore an informal meeting of Democrats was held in New York City to discuss the coming Presidential campaign and the question of the leadership and principles of the Democratic Party in the State of New York. It was the unanimous sentiment that the present methods of leadership in this State are utterly destructive of future party unity and success; that unless the present stupidity, arrogance, and selfishness give way to an intelligent regeneration of the Democracy a State ticket capable of being elected will not be nominated and the success of Wilson and Marshall will be placed in jeopardy.
    It was, therefore, decided that the time is at hand for Democrats to organize permanently for the purpose of securing intelligent and representative leadership for their party and of doing all that is possible to elect Wilson and Marshall.
    It is proposed to call this organization the Empire State Democracy. It is proposed that every effort be used, first, to elect delegates to the State Convention who will be representative of their districts and not "men of wax," and, further, to nominate a State and legislative ticket which will truly represent the Democrats of the State.
    A meeting will be held at 8:15 P.M. at the Hotel Belmont, Forty-second Street and Park Avenue, New York City, on Wednesday evening, July 17, 1912, to discuss the above matters more fully. We hope very much that you will be able to be present, as we feel that the occasion is of great importance.
    Very truly yours,
        FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT,
              Temporary Chairman.
        LAWRENCE B. DUNHAM,
              Temporary Secretary.

    There is a great deal of unrest among the Democrats both up State and in this city, and there is more opposition at this time to Murphy's continued leadership than there has been since he first became the great power in the State that he is at present, according to well-informed Democrats.
    Several Gubernatorial booms hang in the balance, too. Gov. Dix is looking to Mr. Murphy for a renomination. State Engineer John A. Bensel, whose relations with the Tammany boss are of the most intimate and cordial nature, is an active candidate, too, and it is known that the Tammany chieftain would be happy if there was any way in which he could force the nomination of Bensel and drop Gov. Dix, who is not looked upon as an asset by the powers that be in the Democratic State organization. Bensel would run as an up-State candidate, as he has established a legal residence in Albany.
    Neither Gov. Dix nor Mr. Bensel is looked upon with favor by the independent Democrats who have been so heavily penalized by the decree of the Tammany boss ever since he found that they had the temerity to think and act for themselves and their constituents without consulting him as head of the "organization," in official positions they have held. The independents are bitter against Gov. Dix because he has given them no encouragement in their fight against Tammany control up State. Lieut. Gov. Thomas F. Conway, so far, is the only candidate for the Gubernatorial nomination in the field whose candidacy appeals in the least to the independents. To men who are closely in touch with those forming the inner circle in Tammany Hall it is no secret that there exists a lot of anti-Wilson feeling among the "faithful." They look upon the New Jersey Governor as being not of the fold, and the fact that he has been rather active in combating bosses does not help him any with Tammany Hall.
    So far there has been little activity displayed by the Democratic organization in this city, aside from the raising of a couple of campaign banners. The first indication of life at Democratic State Headquarters came yesterday, when a circular letter was sent out to the County Chairmen asking them to report at once to State Chairman George M. Palmer the true conditions in their districts, and what should be done to add vigor to the campaign. Here is the circular letter:

    Headquarters Democratic State Committee,
        State of New York.
            New York, July 12, 1912.
    We write that we may learn thus early political conditions in your section, and be able to start an active campaign at once. We have a united party. We must have well directed activity from now on through the campaign.
    The Baltimore Convention was the largest and most representative, the fairest and most democratic of any held in our time. Every delegate had full opportunity by voice and vote to express his convictions. No trickery or fraud was practiced; no steam roller methods were indulged. The nominees and platform were the unanimous choice and expression of the delegates; the candidates have shown conspicuous ability in public positions, and their readiness to respond to the needs of the
people. Each nominee is a  Progressive, yet not radical or destructive. The platform adopted
fairly expresses the Progressive thought and spirit of the time.
    It is confidently believed that Woodrow Wilson and Thomas R. Marshall will be elected by large majorities. Yet as members of the working committees of our party, we must keep in mind that success is the result of eternal vigilance. Our duty then is patent. We must at once begin an earnest and well directed campaign. This the people expect, and in this they must not be disappointed.
    Will you at once ascertain the sentiment of your district as to political conditions and communicate the same to us here without delay? Also write us any suggestions you have to make with reference to the conduct of a vigilant, aggressive, and successful campaign.
    Sincerely yours.
        GEORGE M. PALMER, Chairman.

    State Chairman Palmer has not spent any considerable time at headquarters since the Baltimore Convention. It was said there yesterday that he would not be in town until Tuesday, when he will appear at State headquarters for the purpose of calling a meeting of the State Committee to name Presidential Electors and issue the usual call for the State Convention.