New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-17
RICHARD CROKER TALKS.
THE RULER OF NETWORK DISCUSSES
TAsINiANY AND HIMSELF.
WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT RECENT ATTACKS ON
THE wIGwAM. AND REFERENCES TO HIS


THE w1GwAM AND REFERENCES TO HIS
SUDDENLY ACQUIRED WEALTH.
Richard Croker. the head Of Tammany Hall. Is
usually averse to talking for publication. but yes
terday he consented to interview about the forma
ton on Thursday evening Of the Independent County
Organization at the Cooper Institute. He had been
busy with post-electon matters and preparing for
the meeting Of the Legislature and had only just
found time to read the published reports Of the
proceedings When the reporter asked what he
thought Of the proceedings. Mr.. Croker said:
II think that every man has a right to express
his own opinions. and to think them important.
too II he wants to. Personally. l can't say that
attach any more Importance to this movement
than to any Of several others like it that have been
started since have held my present position. II
the men who were there and did the talking
really represented large body number of peo-
pie it might be different but they don't. Whom
does Mr.. Townsend represent? Ask some Of the
men who have been his clients. Or Mr.. Hamburger.
the clerk of Stecklers court? Or ex-Assemblyman
Healey? Or ex-Sherff Jimmy O'Bren? Or ex-Sen-
ator Bixby? 1t seems to me they might have done
better than that These men represent nobody but
themselves. Most of them broken-down poll
ticians who have been kicked out of one party
or the other for the good Of both the party and
the city. Being out. they want to get in, and this
Is the way they are trying to do it. We will see
later whether they succeed"
Regarding the resolutions adopted at Cooper In
sttute, Mr.. Croker said that If in the paragraph
stating that the sole object Of the new organiza-
ton was ito establish impartial. economic and
honest government in this city," the word ECO
nomic'' were changed to Economical the phrase
would express just what Tammany Hall is do
ing" 1t their privilege to do every
thing In their power to defeat Tammany cand-
dates" but when they "strenuously" objected to
1.-THE assessing OF judges and others for political
purposes" they could go to the County Clerks
ONCE and get the sworn statements Of the candi-
dates for judgeships and other offices giving list
OF their expenditures.
THE QUESTION OF BLACKMAIL.
Mr.. Croker continued: Then they 'emphaticay
oppose the system OF political blackmail by which
iiquor-dealers and others are kept in subsection
by Tammany Hail. That Is easy enough 20 say.
1t has been said before with just much reason
as now. II there Is any system Of blackmail on
the liQuor-dealers, 1t must take in a great many
people. some of whom. should think. would be
glad Of q chance to resent It, That being so. 1t
ought to be easy enough to get evidence Why
don't they produce their evidence? The truth is.
they haven't any and can't get any, because there
Is no such thing being done. / defy anybody TO
produce the slightest proof Of such charge.
Then they 'denounce the illegal protection now
afforded gambling houses. houses OF ill-fame and
other criminal resorts II there is gambling
house open In this city don't know 1t. don't
b.
until two years ago for thirty years you could
say that. I believe the Police Department Is do
ing its full duty. II anybody knows Of any be-
ing open, and will give the information. will
be among the first to try to have 1t shut up.
Then they advocate the absolute enforcement
of politics from the school system This sounds
well. but Is wholly unnecessary. know that have
never interfered with the work OF the School
Board In any way either In the matter Of appoint
ments or anything else. I don't even know how
the board stands politically nor the politics of the
individual members. Those now in office were APP
pointed without consultation with myself or any
body else speaking for the organization.
NON-PARTIsAN POLICE AND ELECTION BOARDS.
Then they say that they favor 'non-partisan Po-
lice and Election boards Well, what have they
got? Take the Police Board. 1t consists Of four
members Two Of them are Tammany men. one
IN q Republican and the other Is an independent
Democrat who usually supports the Republican
party II that is not about nearly non-partisan
board as can be expected in city which gives
the party in power a majority OF nearly 'oVW
don't know what is. 1t certainly is not controlled
by the organization. And the organization Is not
wholly responsible for its work. we nave TWO
members, and have share Of the RESPONSE
bity but that is all II all the members belonged
to Tammany Hall. or IL we had majority, we
would not hesitate to take the full responsibility
for everything done. But unfortunately, oeheVe
for the CITY, haven't"
80 far as the election boards are concerned.
believe that Is right They ought to be non-parti-
san But they ought to be non-partisan In Repub-
Ncan districts just as much as In Democratic dis
trtcts The Republicans have been very anxious
TO have non-partsan boards in this city. but they
never would consent to the same thing In places
where they have control. II anybody introduces
bill this winter providing for non-partisan boards
all over the State. will do what can to help
pass It, But don't believe in non-partisan boards
orffc o.
publican districts. and 1 don't believe the people
do either"
Mr. Croker was asked IL he had read the speeches
He said that he had not and inquired IL they con-
taiped anything Of consequence" When told that
Mr.. Townsend urged the Legislature to appoint
committee to investigate the city government, he
said: Il guess the Republicans will think twice
before they try that again. Mr.. Fassett came
down here with a great flourish Of trumpets for
the express purpose of plotting Tammany Hall out
Of existence. / don't know where Fassett Is now.
but the Democratic organization OF this city is still
doing business for the people at the old stand Fas-
sett was defeated for Governor. and Tammany Hall
has had increased majorities ever since Still. II
they want 10 try the experiment again and run
the risk Of another boomerang let them send on
their committee. There is no department in the
city that can't stand most rigid investigation, and
come out OF IL clean whistle. II not, /
would like to II exposed. All this talk about
the city being 'honey-combed with corruption Is
rubbish"
THE ASPHALT CONTRACTS.
When told that Mr. Townsend said the asphalt
contracts ought to be examined. Mr.. Croker re-
piled:
That's all right. The records are open to the
public But now just see what utter nonsense that
is Every contract for paving the streets Is open
to competition. and bids advertised for regu-
larry and opened and read In public. Now. II the
lowest bid was not accepted. or II there was any
thing wrong about II. don't you suppose the con-
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