New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-18
CROKER WON'T DENY IT.
HE DECLINES TO DISCUSS BELLE MEADE
THE NEW KING OF THE TURF WILLING TO SAY
HE HAD PLEASANT TRIP. THOUGH.

HE HAD A PLEASANT TRIP. THOUGH.
Richard Croker Gar Of Tammany Hall, and the
new king of the turf. returned TO the city yester-
day morning from his trip to Tennessee. The
ruler Of New-York wore self-satisiied air when
he reached the big Wigwam in East Fourteenth
st. Ills journey southwark had evidently agreed
with him. His sleek and wcl-roundcd figure was
soon ensconced in an easy chair in bis favorlte
corner in his private office in Tammany Hall,
with dozen of his district leaders and
trusted hcnchmen clustered about him. As soon
as his return 10 the city known newspaper
men began 10 flock to the Wigwam to ask about
his reported purchase Of half interest in the
famous Belle Meade stud near Nashville, for which
it was said he had paid or agreed TO pay $780,
600.
To Tribune reporter who asked Mr.. Croker
TO say exactly what truth there wv,s in the report
Of the purchase Of half of General Jackson's in
tcrest. the potcnta,e before whom chiefs and
sachcms daily make salaams said:
II must decline 20 talk about the Belle Meade
matter or about anything else of the kind. If
people will insist starting me in the racing busi-
ness can't prevent it,"
But, Mr. Croker, you can at least say whether
vour trip 10 Tennessee connected with the
purchase indicatcd?"
"No." was the decided reply. II will not
affirm or deny that story. refuse 70 discuss it.
There is another report to-day to the effect
that You are interested in an offer said TO have
been made by your real estate partner, Peter F.
Meyer for Jerome Park for 5000 900. Can't you
tell us about that?'
81 have nothing 10 say on that subject either,
or about any affairs Of the turf, Mr.. Croker
answered. taking long puff at mis- fragrant cigar
Tie story that Mr. Croker had gone TO Tennessee
as the representative Of a syndicate III which
Nathan Straus and cx-Nayor Grant are said to
b., member, was broaclpd. and the Tammany
monarch was urged TO say if this was we'll founded
But Mr. Croker not 10 b. moved from his
rctccnt attitude.
IF make my business affairs known to the
public" he said 81 shall be in no shape to do
any business at all No. decline positively 10
say word about my affairs"
Then let us talk about tho Presidents ap-
pontmcnts." said the reporter What do you
thinl. OF the nominations Mr. Cleveland has been
sending 70 the Scnatc-thosc from this state. for
instance-A Maxwell for Fourth Assistant Postmas-
tcr-Gcncral and Whitney for Assistant Attorney
Gcnoral?"
Il haven't anything 10 say about appointments. -
the Boss answered, erimly. ." If You want to
know about my trip, can tell you that had
very pleasant time II is a delightful coun-
Try down there. and | enjoyed II extremely.
Iut | won't talk politics. draw the line at
POLITICS and racing.
Among Mr Cookers callers in the afternoon
W., Il.utc-an'-Go,crncr Shc"han. They w'r"
olo.ccd together for some time. Mr. croker
l.f, the Wiewam. saving that he had a business
engagement downtown.
Mr.. Crokcrs refusal 70 say whether his visit
70 Nashville had FOR it, ohjcc. the extensive
purchasn in horses FOR tho turf which has been
reported WIS regarded generally as AN admission
that there was foundation for the story. Tins was
tho conclusion Of many mon moro or loss Interested
m racing afIar.. who believe that if there had
iccn nothing in the statement 50 widely pun
llehod Mr. Croker would have promptly set II at
res bV DENYING II.