Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1892-02-10
TAMMANY AND THE NOMINATION.
Why 1T Is Thought Croker Favors a
Western Man.

hal0oS, OF ROCn0SC6r. l01S Is ftlil
slate as the men are classified at pres
emit. Mr.. Raines is the only orator
of the number, and he will probably
be selected to present Hills name to
the convention. He is big man
with a blonde mustache and strong
pair Of lungs. His style is slightly
emotional, and he has made a study
of the value and effect Of words and
phrases. If it falls to his lot to NOM
mate Mr.. Hill at Chicago, Mr.. Raines
will acquit himself creditably. He
can be counted on to give some new
and original expressions in describ-
ing the qualifications Of his candi-
date.
From the inner circles of Tammany
Hall comes a we'll authenticated re-
port that the leaders of that organ
ization are not a unit for David B.
Hill. The "big FOUR" who control
Tammany Croker, Gilroy, Grant,
Crockran-are said to be divided on
the subject. A gentleman who is in
position to know the facts said:
"The coming sensation in Demo-
cratic politics is the split in Tam
many on the Presidential question.
Croker and Gilroy have decided that
it is inexpedient to nominate Hill or
any other New York man. They are
in favor of taking a Western candi-
date. Mayor Grant and Congress
man Cochran are dead set on Hill
and they will not listen to the sug-
gestion of any other man. An open
rupture will be the result, unless either
side backs down, which is not at all
likely.
zone, of course, will ask why
Croker is against Hill. Ibelieve that
there is an old sore somewhere
in the past which rankles in Croker's
bosom. Croker is a silent, undemon-
strative man, but he never forgets
anything. But, in a sense, Croker is
the very best type of practical poll
tician. His motto is success. He
would sacrifice his own brother Or
the best friend he had on earth if he
thought it would strengthen his or
ganization. Heis absolutely without
sentiment. Every distict leader Of
Tammany Hall knows that to retain
his place he IluSU uldk0
GOOD SHOWING IN HIS DISTRICT.
The moment he fails to get out the
vote in his district that the organiza-
ton is entitled to he ceases to be a
leader in Tammany Hall. This is
Croker's memorable rule. After an
election he sends for the leaders Of
the districts where Tammany's vote
has fallen off. To each one he says,
You do not seem to be able to salts
fly the people of your district. Think
you had better step aside and let
some one try it who cam Many Of
Croker's personal friends have been
treated in that manner. The fact
that Croker shows no favoritism is
the secret of his power. They all re-
spect and fear him, and believe that
he is working for the best interests of
the organization.
II believe that Mr.. Croker's deci-
sion to favor a Western man for
President the result of his cold-blood-
ed Judgment of the situation. Tam
many is now in complete possession
of the city and the state. No unfav-
orable legislation to Tammany can
be passed at Albany. Never in the
history of the organization was Tam
many so completely the master as
it is to-day.
"With a Western Democrat in the
White House Tammany's control Of
this state would not be disturbed.
But if Hill were President there might
be more or less friction. Another
thing Mr. Croker realizes that Hill
would be regarded as the nominee of
Tammany Hall by the general public:
and that would be a handicap to
him. Then if Hill should lose, the
blame would be placed upon Tam
many and that would injure the pres
tige of the organization at home.
Tammany is on top, but Croker
knows that he must fight and play
politics to stay there. By the time
the Democratic National Convention
meets, I believe Tammany will be
secretly, if not openly opposing Hill's
nomination. Mr.. Gilroy agrees with
Mr. Croker's diagnosis of the situa,
ton. He believes it is better politics
| for Tammany to favor some man
| outside the state for President than
to support Hill or any other New
Yorker. The organization has got
all it can carry, they say. Mr.. Gilroy
next to Mr.. Croker, is the strongest
man in Tammany Hall. He is slated
for the mayoralty nomination next
fall and will in all probability succeed
Mayor Grant on Jan. 1. 1898.
"But Grant and Cochran are not
far behind Croker and Gilroy in thu
matter of influence, and if they ad
here to their present determination
and make fight for Hill there will b.
music in the air before long. In ever!
organization there is always dissat
isfed element, and Tammany is no
free from it by any means. Their
Grant and Cochran will have stron|
name to coniure by. They can ap
peal to the local pride of the organi
zation and promise places galore.
doubt very muchif Croker and Gilro.
with their superior executive abilit.
could swing the organization agains
Hill and over to a. Western man. [
will be a very pretty fight, however
the biggest one that has ever takel
place within the Tammany WigWam.