Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-19
THE CRISP INCIDENT
Taken as an Indication That CleVe-
land and the Machine Are
WIDER APART THAN EVER.
The Hill-Tammany Faction Tightening
Their Grip at All Points.
ADVISERS KEPT AT ARMS LENGTH

NEW 1ORh, Dec. 16-Ihe indications
point more and more to an intention on the
part of Democratic leaders here to run the
Federal and State machines" on separate
lines The Crisp incident at the Reform
Club dinner is one evidence that Cleve-
lands kitchen Cabinet is to have full sway
at the White House. but beyond that is the
perfectly plain purpose on Cleveland IS
part neither to invite nor accept suggest
ions from the Hill-Tammany machine. He
believes he can get along without their aid.
They feel confident, on the other hand, that
they can get along without him. Not one of
the Tammany men has been near Cleveland
since the election. Should anyone look up
the lists of callers upon the President-eleet
he will find that they are all of one type
the MugWump-while the boys" gather
about Hill, Croker and Murphy. Even
now Charles R. DeFreest, the clerk of the
Assembly and representative of Senator-to-
be ED" Murphy, is in Washington with
David B. Hill mapping out legislation for
the Democratic majority at Albany and
putting in shape several measures designed
to perpetuate Democratic control of the
Offices in this city.
A Clash Certain Early in March.
How long these two Democratic ina
chimes" can keep on parallel lines is a
question. They are maintained there now
because one of them is not in operation,
but clash is as certain to follow Cleve-
lands inauguration as night is to follow
day. Tammany is entrenehing itself in
power here in preparation for the fight,
and before Cleveland gets in the White
House the Legislature will have passed
laws giving Mayor-elect Gilroy absolute
control of the city departments with no
appeal from his decision and no necessity
for changes" in order TO dismiss commits
sioners or lesser officials. The police force,
too, Is to be "reorganized," or, in other
words, made entirely Tammany. Croker's
hand is doing this work here, but up the
State Hill is the directing force and Gov
ernor Flower carries out his plans. The
canals are their chief source of power, for
millions are annually expended on them.
Ed Murphy's brother-in-law is in control
there.
Tammanyizing New York.
What is to be done by the Legislature in
the way of Tammanyizing New York City
government will be carried out also in other
the cities. That is where the Democratic
vote is. Lieutenant Governor Sheehan
controls Buffalo, Ed Murphy controls Troy,
Boss Mclaughlin controls Brooklyn, the
Arnot ring is supreme among Eimira Dem
oerats, and so throughout the State Hill
henchman is the ruling power in the cities
Hills plan is TO have enacted, under the
guise of "home rule" laws that will give
the Democratic heads Of these city govern
ments undisputed sway over the ''patron-
age" and where possible over the elec-
tion machinery as well. The change
made by the Legislature last winter
in the Board of Election Inspectors is
sample of what is to be done elsewhere
The old law gave both parties equal repre-
sentation on the board and the Police Com
missioners had to accept as election in
spectors the names handed to them by the
two organizations. Last winter Croker had
this changed so that the board consists now
Of only three members, and the Police CON-
select their own men. Two of
them at least were out and out Tammanyites
at the last election and the third supposedly
a Republican. But it was two to one at
best
With these unscrupulously partisan
schemes spread wherever the machine" is
in power, and denied to cities not in their
control, the Hill followers feel that they
can hold their own against the Federal pat
ronage to be dispensed by Cleveland. They
rather hope, in fact, that he will carry out
the civil service ideas Of which his idolators
proclaim he is possessed. Their enforce
ment would mean scsnt rations for the
Cleveland rank and file, and Democrats
won't stick together long OH slender diet.
Machine Democrats Exasperated.
Cleveland's actions are exasperating to a
good many Democrats who really be-
lieve in him and not in the machine.
His letter to oficeseekers before he went
duck shooting was regarded by them as a
piece of selfshness on the part of third
term Presidential candidate, and one who |
had been Governor, Mayor, District Attor-
ney and Sheriff. Since his return Cleve- |
land has acted as he wrote. He doesn't |
want anyone to call at his house |
except upon invitation, and has established |
himself at his downtown Office, with regular
office hours, for those whom he sees because
be has to. Word has gone out that ones |
chances for long friendly reception will |
be lmperiled by call at the house. and
aven at the Mills building, where the
has his claw" office, one is
admonished to approach the throne with
becoming modesty and humility. Several
well-known Democrats entitled to his con-
idence, to some extent at least, have found
heir interview abruptly cut short when
hey touched on Cabinet suggestions.
Cleveland gives the impression that he
Knows it all, and wants no advice as to the
makeup of his circle of Cabinet counsellors.
Hence some surprises are looked for when
he names are all announced.