The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-18
Pettis Dry Goods co
CHIEF CROKER TALKS
Denies He Ever Got a Dishonest
Dollar Out of Politics,
Says Tammany Gives Good Government
and Approves Parkhurst's Course
Will Remain Boss Tiger.

NEW YORK, Dec. ia formal inter-
view with Richard Croker, chief sachem of
Tammany Hall, has been given out for pub
lication. The feature OF the interview is
that IL is largely personal. He starts out
by saying that he invites an Investigation
by the Legislature. Then follows a circum
stantial defense OF Tammapy Hall. The
big chief makes the positive declara ton
that he does not possess dollar that was
not honestly earned. eff those who charge
otherwise he said significantly, would
make specific declarations L would find
means of compelling them TO prove their
charges. He follows this up with the dec
laratioD mat he will under no circumstances
withdraw from the leadership OF Tammany.
He believes that the people of New York
are satisfied with the sort of government
Tammany is giving them With reference
TO the resolutions recently adopted by what
is called the Independent Tammany Organi-
zation, he denied that the liquor saloons.
gambling houses. houses OF i'll fame and
other criminal resorts are assessed for po-
itical purposes. He says there is not a
gambling establishment in town, and. IN
the first time for thirty years, such thing
can be said. He acknowledges that he adj
vised the passage of law that would close
sance and they disgraced the city. Nine
tenths of those who went into pool rooms
were clerks who could drop into a pool
room across the street and lose their money.
AS to DR.. Parkhurst he says: 81 have
never said anything against DR.. Parkhurst.
and I will tell you why. L have
a good deal OF respect for any man who
tries to do what he thinks Is right, and
think DR.. Parkhurst is that kind of man.
That is where he differs from those broken
down politicians We have been talking
about. do not like to say anything about
his work personally, and shall not. HIS
Personally. 1 do not believe they are wise.''
As TO the charge that he got his money
dishonesty. Mr.. Croker said: Il wish you
would bring the name OF man who Is
willing TO make the charges and be re-
sponsible. for it. 1t is easy enough to in
einuate things, but / notice they are pretty
careful TO avoid saying things they might
be called on to prove There has been a good
deal Of this irresponsible kind of talk dur
about it. have just let them go and talk
as they please. don't propose to let any
body put me on the defensive when L have
nothing to defend. 1 have no apologies or
explanations to make for what have done
or what 1 have. Every dollar of it was ac-
CURED honestly and uprightly. have never
asked for or received dollar from any per-
son engaged in unlawful pursuits in return
for my influence or protection, or whatever
you call It, and have never asked for nor
received a dollar from any corporation for
any such purpose.
$50 far as am concerned have been in
politics for thirty years, and defy anybody
to show that 1 have ever taken a dollar
wrongfully. / have prevented others from
doing on more than one OCCASION and
that fact accounts for a large portion of
these attacks. Everybody who has any
sense will know that corrupt man will
get into Office occasionally, in spite OF the
utmost vigilance. / can say that when such
a man has got in through Tanlmany and
have heard of it, he got out quicker than he
got in"