The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-03
lspccial Correspondence.l

xotion-ColIiDs and Fairchild.
Especial Correspondence.l
CuicAco. June GA national conven-
ton is a most interesting gathering. 1t is
interesting because Of the people il brings
together. and because Of the study it az
fords Of the way in which American poll
tics is conducted. Especially interesting
was IL 20 me 10 observe the way in which
the different leaders worked, and contrast
their methods and manners. Six men were
earring on the campaign here, all Of whom
are nationally known, and each OF whom
would afford material for a separate letter.
The six men are Senator Brice, of Ohio
ex-Secretary Of the Navy William Z.
Whitney, ex-Secretary of the Treasury
Charles H. Eairchild. Richard Croker, the
leader Of Tammany Hall; ex-Copgressman
i. A. Collins OF Boston, and eX-Postnnas-
ter General Don. NJ Dickinson
Perhaps the man ia whom the great
crowd was most Observation-Disclosures, while
his name has been published in every pa
per IN the land and he has long been
familiar figure TO New York politicians he
is but little known outside Of the Empire
state-was Richard Croker who is fairly
sunDosed 10 hold in the hollow Of his hand
tbe destinies of the greatest political or
ganization Of the country-Tammany Han
Croker reminds one very much OF the tate
General r. s. Grant. lie Is about Grant
build. with dark. bushy beard, which the
pictures Of Grant have made so famihn 70
the people Of this country. Like Grant,
h thinks more than be talks; in fact he
has q reputation for taciturnity, and OF all
things he hates 10 be interviewed by news
uaper men. lie viii sit for hours IN a room
full Of people and not utter moro than half
"A dozen phrases. but all the time while he
Is silent be is hearing every word and re-
volvipn in his mind all that is being said.
A man Of only limited education, and with
no outside advantages, he has won bis
uosition as the leader Of the Tammany or
Rauization by force Of character and MS
ability TO command men.
II Is generally conceded that Croker is
one Of the greatest masters of the art OF
practical politics in this country at the
present time, and he rules his organization
with almost ironclad sway. Perhaps ms
oower was never better shown than In the
way IN which he handled the Hill forces
during the convention. When the New
York delegates first arrived he issued an
order that no member of the delegation,
with the single exception Of Edward Muir
pbv. national committeeman from the
state, was TO be interviewed for publica-
ton His iniunctions were religiously
obeyed. During all the excitement and
heat Of the campaign not one Tammany
man appeared in print. During the first
days before the convention the followers
of Senator Hill were rather bitter in their
denunciatiOn of ex-Presidcnt Cleveland.
Croker saw at once that this sort of thing
would do his cause 10 good and was prov
ing injurious TO him. He at once issued
orders that no Tammany man was to say
anything IN the slightest degree deroga-
tory of any other candidate. Without
uurmur his orders were obeyed.
There could be no greater contrast Of
forded than between Croker and ex-Secre-
Ntary Whitney The former, as have said,
is~a silent. reserved man, with little or no
advantages gained from education or cul-
ture MIR. Whitney, as every one knows,
is q man OF the greatest polish, a man who
has Travelled much, seen life in its various
phases and proflted by all his varied expe-
riences Croker. like a great general In
his tent, says nothing, aBd reveals his
fears only 20 his intimates Whitney, on
the other hand, is always the urbane easy,
polished gentleman, always displaying the
qualities which made him so popular with
members Of congress and politicians when
he was Mr.. Cleveland's secretary of the
navy. Nothing ever seems TO worry or
disturb him a dozen men might be wait
ing in the Cleveland headquarters for the
sake of having a few words with him. Dir.
Whitney gave each the most courteous at
tention, ind each went away feeling that
he above all others was the very man that
Mr.. Whitney wanted TO talk TO at that
precise moment. As an organizer and eX-
ecutive there are few men who can excel
him, and there are few men who so thor
Oughly understand the delicate art Of con
Quoting a great political convention and
campaign.
Unlike either Whitney or Fairchild is
Senator Brice, Of Ohio, the chairman of
the last national Democratic COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Brice is aman of middle SIZE with q
reddish brown beard and prominent nose.
He il a man full of nervous energy. Most
chairmen Of national committees spend the
best part OF their time before convention
meets in the seclusiOn of their own rooms,
and when visitors want TO see them they
are admitted one by one. There il a GER
tain amount Of dignity Of state which the
chairman finds 1t necessary TO maintain,
and which can only be preserved by re
manning somewhat inaccessible to the gen
eral run of convention politicians Not So
however, with Mr.. Brice The best part of
his time was spent not in his private ROOM
but in the large pariors and the headquar-
ters OF the various other prominent leaders
A dozen times day he might have been
seen on one of the sofas OF the ladies' paFlOr
in the Palmer House, always with one
and sometimes with three or four men en-
gagiDg him In close conversation, while just
out Of eaFshot were six or eight other men
waiting their chances TO get ut the all inn
portant chairman. Mr. Brice talks in rather
aquick, Jerky sort Of fashion, and although
the constant strain must have told upon
him, his manner did not show it. He IS a
man of very quick perceptions and keen
analysis, and with almost intuitive force
he sees through the motives of the people
with whom he Is brought in contact.
The position Of chairman Of great ma
tional parties is one Of high honor, and one
which nearly every politician in the land
coyets, but it is also place Of the very
heaviest responsibilities and incessant
work. No man would seek to obtain it
who bas not "a constitution of iron and a
temper under perfect control. He must
never get ratified or worried He must be
as afable and polite 20 the men who OPP