The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-20
CRoRER's DASH
It Is the Subject OF Much Comment in
New York.

IL is the Subject OF Much Comment in
New York
Ono Of those men who without being very
high in the oounsels OF Tammany, says a
New York special, is nevertheless good
deal of power in the organization. using
his authority in a way which is not manifest
to the public. said to me this morning thar
IN the report made yesterday Of tho wealth
OF Richard Croker had very much under
estimated his possessions. Croker he said,
was worth not far from 81 900 600, and in
fact has invested iu the past year and a half
or two years nearly $500, GOO in his racing
stables and his breeding farm at Richfield
Springs, although Senator Murphy has
part interest with him in that farm.
Mr.. Croker my informant added
was poor man about six years ago. /
don't think be ever was let into any of those
profitable arrangements by which others In
lammany Hall, taking advantage of their
political influence, were able 70 secure
handsome profits not illegally, whatever
may be said Of the morality of the trans
action. But for some years before Mr.
Croker succeeded John Kelly as the mon-
arch OF Tammany there bad been little
chance for profitable association with cou-
tractors or those who had to do with public
works. Those who had such opportunities
were in the county democracy. The ne w
AHuNuutts WHICH Nnt Guy HGeleu uHQ ~
enough, was expected TO be a splendid
source Of profit TO men OF influence in that
organization. | do not think, however
any OF them made much money. Hubert
%. Thompson expected TO keep control Of
she Organization and to keep the orRaniza-
tiOn victorious over Tammany very largely
through the mighty power which these
nqueduct contracts would give. But Cleve-
land, by his refusal to help the county
democracy in the way OF patronage, and
the course Of Abram =. Hewitt while
mayor, the death Of Thompson, the legis-
lating ~ the aqueduct commission out Of
Office, all combined Co prevent the realiza-
ton Of the hope that colossal scheme had
enRendered.
''That paved the way for the defeat of
that organization ana the restoration TO
power Of Tammany. which has been In full
control OF the city less than four years.
suppose MIR. Croker's friends will say that
by reason Of bis influence with Tammanv
he has been permitted to come In upon the
ground floor in several real estate opera
tiOne which have been very profitable.
They may say this perhaps with truth ai-
though no one knows beEter than Croker
himself that lt will be impossible 30 make
the public believe that he gained all his
property by real eB.ate or any other specu-
latiOn.n
Mr.. Croker himself testified that In 1885
uo was Obllbtu % uOFEOW a SUM OF money
on mortgage, and the tntimRtiCn Ia his tes-
timony was that this step was compelled by
his poverty. Yet four years after that he
was sble TO buy the farm at Richheld
Springs-and a very beautiful piece Of
property it is-aud 20 invest a year later
$l5O,00O in stocking it The investments in
this property and in the valuable horses
which he has put upon il amount to over
| $3.50, ,O00, and his purchase on Wednesday
/ Of an interest in tho Belle Meade farm in
wolves an outlay Of $250,O0O more His
now house and some adjoining real estate
are estimated 10 be worth more than $780,
OO0, and be has other property in Harlem
worth at least $50, 600 more; so that there is
visible, according to these reports. $3.50, 900
worth Of property owned by man who{
five years ago, was practically penniless /,
and who has had no other visible oooupa-
tion than politics in that time. Mr.. Croker's
style of living Is such as would require an
income Of $4,000 or $50, 900 a year, and
therefore it does seem as though the esti-
mate Of my informant that Mr. Croker is
worth Sl,U00,000 or more is correct