The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-11
TO LEAD TAMMANY.

Chris Buckley, "The Blind Boss" Going to
Now York.
New York, June Christopher M. Buck
ley and suite, including Jockey Driscoll and
Johnny Chenowith, have been on very
mysterious visit to this city. Buckley and
his myrmidon stopped in the most elegant
rooms at the Hoffman and live at the rate
of several hundred dollars day. Local
politicians have seen him in great numbers
and the nature Of their long consultation
was given last evening by gentleman who
once resided for time in California, but is
now devoting himself to the pleasures of
New York life.
"You will remember" said he, "that
when Buckley was here year ago he had
many talks with old friends, among them
some of the most prominent democratic
politicians in the state. regarding his posi-
BILE coming to New York. At that time
something of this leaked out and was pub
lished in the World. ! had . talk with
edged that such overtures had been made
to him and that he was considering them.
Buckley is an old New York boy and keeps
very close watch on the politics of this
city. It has been known to his friends for
some time that he is signing for broader
u
tically impossible for him to have any great
say in national democratic affairs while he
lives in California. He had a talk with Gov
ernor Hill when he was ON his last visit and
mutual friends have since reported that
Hill would welcome the idea Of
determined that he had better let New
York affairs alone for that time, though he
made many strong alliances with prominent
Tammany men. His decision was made on
the strength of representations made by
friends, that, as things then stood in Tam
the leadership. Croker was then at the
head of what was termed the New Tam
many and he, with Burk Cochrane and
Mayor Grant. formed triumvirate which
ruled Tammany, and through that organiza-
ton the city. 1t was thought that Croker
SO prosperous for the reorganized Tammany
that Buckley said he would stand no chance
whatever. He looked over the ground very
carefully, thinking even of leading the de-
moralized county democracy in opposition,
but at last saw that there was no opening
"Now. however, things have changed.
| Tammany is without leader and is demon
allied. Croker is an invalid, hOpelessly SO,
and the Fassett investigating committee has
shown up the great trlumvirate in such
bad light that Jammany is in worse
|
Tweed. Buckley has kept posted on the
state of affairs, and has come on to again
look over the ground with view Of stepping
into the breach and becoming Tammany
leader.
81 state this confdentially and have the
best reasons for knowing it. Buckley has
received scores of letters from disgruntled
Tammanyites. asking him to take hold. and
he has friends here, among them one of the
city justices, who, to my certain knowledge,
have been writing him constantly on this
subject. Buckley has been closeted with
these people ever since his arrival and now
is gone out of the city for few days, just
where, no one seems to know. There is no
one to lead Tammany, for all who have the
ability have too many personal enemies.
Some man must be found at once or the
machine will go to pieces and the county
democracy come ON top again. If Buckley
does not come to New York it will be be-
cause he chooses not to, and not because he
has not been solicited"