The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-23
POLITICAL,
Doings of the Different Parties and
Their Representatives.

|
Mr. Cleveland and the Office seekers do not
please each other. The latter are becoming
more and more impressed with the fact that
| the new President does not consider the dis
| tribution of patronage the primary duty to
which he was elected, and they are crediting
the statement recently made that no nomina-
! tons not strictly necessary will be sent to the
| Senate before its adjournment, which is ex-
pected the LIST of April. Then, too, there is
grumbling on the part of the Representatives
and Senators and other politicians who are
| furthering the interests of their friends by
urging their appointments to this place or
that They have been given to understand by
the Chief Executive, that in making his selec.
tions he will not be governed absolutely by
their recommendations, but will use his jndg-
ment. and take advice from others notin active
politics As the President has the advantage
of the situation, there is no sign of the discon-
tent taking aggressive form against the Presi-
dent, but altogether it is not pleasant outlook
| for spoilsmen.
All sorts of rumors are afoat as to threat
! cned rupture between the President and Con-
! gress over the financial issue. 1t is believed
| that he is by no means satisfied with the con-
sttuton of the various committees of the Sem
ate, especially that of finance, and these COM
mittces were arranged by the caucus largely
| regardless OF his desires.
| The story goes that Senator Villas was the
bearer of a message to Senator German, asking
reconsideration of the caucus action awarding
Senator Brce the Craftsmanship of the Pacific
Railways Committee, Senator Hill the Chair
manship of the Immigration Committee and
membership of the Judiciary Committee, and
Senator Murphy membership of the Com
mttees on Commerce and Pacific Railways.
How much truth there is in this story is a
matter of conjecture. Senator German is reti-
cent about the affair, while it is said that Sen.
ator Brice is very angry over what he declares
to have been an attempted interference by the
Executive with the Legislative branch.
There was conference of Ministers and
Prohibitionists at Pittsburg Pa, March Is,
called for the purpose of forming new, party.
The attendance was made up Of % men and 1G
women, with W. II. Topp of Allegheny, pre-
siding. The name for the organization has not
yet been decided upon, although two sugges-
tons, namely, The National Prohibition party
and the National Prohibition Reform party,
were received. aa. Hr.
The platform recognizes God as the author
of civil government; equal rights for ALL with
out respect to race, color or sex; abolition or
suppression of the drink traffic. and such other
moral, economic, financial and industrial re.
forms as are needed in this country.
The fact that ex- Gov. Click of Topeka, Kan,
has been refused the Commissionership of the
Land Office the ground that he was for
fusion with the Populsts in Kansas last Gall,
is hard blow to many leading Populsts, who
have been expecting Democratic patronage
from Senator Martin. The statement also that
the President considers the Populist party
menace to the country, especially considering
its recent actions at Topeka, has stirred
mp indignation among the leaders. Jerry
Simpson and other Populist Congressman had
made their followers believe that there was
something in store for them, and the disap-
pointment and anger is of course great. .9
Recently the Populists at Topeka, Kan, Or
ganiZed the Loyal Legion, a military force
trained for battle, should armed men be
needed, as was the case during the recent legis
latve embrogio. Mrs. Lease is decidedly OPP
posed 10 this scheme, and on March IS she adj
dressed a large audience of women and organ
lied peace association which she proposes to
do in all the towns and cities of the State. She
said these associations were not only to prevent
war, but to resolutely frown down any attempt
to form organizations whose object was blood
shed. Mrs Lease wrote pledge, which was
signed by 100 women. In it they promise to
work against any attempt at military prepare.
ton OF any description.
Six years ago Richard Croker, the Boss of
Tammary Hall, was practically a poor man.
For some years before Croker succeeded john
Kelly there had been little chance in Tammany
Hall for those transactions which secure great
profits on account Of political influence. The
county Democracy got those plums. The new
aqueduct WAS expected to make good deal of
money for those on the inside but Mr. Gleye-
land by his refusal to help the county Democ-
racy in the way of patronage, the course of
Hewitt while Mayor, the death of Thompson,
and the legisating of the Aqneduct Commits
sion out Of existence. paved the way for the
defeat of that organization and the restoration
OF the power of Tammany, which has now been
in full control of the city less than four years.
Mr. Cookers friends will of course say that he
has gained the vast amount of money that he
now possesses by real-cstate investments, but
no one knows better than Croker himself that
it will be impossible to make the public believe
that he has gained all his property by real
estate or other speculation.
Mr.. Croker himself testified that in 1885 he
was obliged to borrow sum OF money ON mort
gage, and the intimatlon in his testimony was
that this step was compelled by his poverty.
Yet four years after that he was able to buy the
farm at Richfeld Springs-and very beauti-
full peace OF property it is-and to invest year
later $4,000 in stock ing it. The investments
in this property and in the valuable horses
which he has put upon it amount to over $780,
600, and his purchase lately of an interest in
the Belle Meade Farm involves an outlay of
$4,000 more. His new house and some ad Join
ing real estate estimated to be worth more
than 100000, and he has other property in
Harlem worth at least $4,000 more; so that
there is visible, according to these reports,
$650.O00 worth of property owned by man
who five years ago, was practically penniess,
and who had no other visible occupation than
politics in that time. Mr.. Cookers style of
living is snch as would require an income of
$4,000 or $4,000 year, and therefore it docs
seem as though the estimate Of my informant
that Mr.. Croker is worth 100000 or more is
correct.
The Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections held meeting on Monday, March
20, IN regard to the credentials of the appointed
Senators from the new States. Senator Allen,
appointed by the Governor of Washington, ap-
peared before the Committee. and recited the
facts connected with his appointment, and
gave the Committee the benefit of his opinion
as to the legal questions involved. Mr. Mantle,
OF Montana, and Mr.. Beckwitb, of Wyoming,
1t is very difficult