New-York tribune., 1894-04-19
PR &c IS E-L- \.

Mr. Richard Croker is Il man OF few words
and short processes. Rather logical wthai.
Between his premise and his conclusion the
distance is so short that he need not go crooked
or get tangled Being questioned lately as to
his opinion concerning the Bipartisan Police
bill now pending at Albany. he responded with
promptness and candor: Il am opposed TO it,
This is a great Democratic city. and at the last
election the Democrats carried ii by plurality
of something like 10000 votes. In view Of that
why should not Democrats have control Of the
Police Board" Nothing could be simpler OF
more straightforward than that. \ majority Of
20 900 Of the voters Of this city said a the last
election that they had entire confidence in the
ability Of the Democratic party to administer
its municipal affairs included in which is the
control Of the police Why shouldn't the party
accept the responsibility and discharge the
trust? why divide it? See: The logic Of it is
plain. and from Mr. Crokcrs point of view tie
argument is unanswcrablc.
But somebody may say thGt, Notwithstanding
the apparent majority Of 10000 for the Demo
cratic ticket ar the last election. the party Is so
divided upon questions of municipal administra-
ton that there is no certainty that IN" police
system rs administered under Democratic con
II might be said, indeed, that in view of the
pronounced hostility Of very large faction OF
the Democratic party to the TammGny leaders
and their methods. and especially TO their po-
lice administration. il would be- perfectly SAFE
TO count on sweeping majority in favor OF Il
change 1t would be n mistake to suppose
that Mr. Croker would waste time or breath
disputng the fact. or that lie would be III the
least disturbed in his argument. lie would SIM
ply say: "All know abour it IS that the Demo
cratic party had 10000 majority the last time
its strength was formally tested ana officially
declared That strength entities il to control
and administer the affGirS Of The city in all its
departments know nothing about any di-
visions or factions in the party except what |
sec in the newspapers. and that do'Sn count
as against the actual vote.
"But. Mr. Croker" some one might say. don't
you know that there are Anti-SnapperS and
Anti-Tammany associations and Mugwunps
and William K. Grace men. and all that sort
Of folks who voted the Democratic tickc; last
November who are in favor of municipal re-
form and Of sweeping changes in the admins
tration Of city Affairs To which the tacturn
statesman of East Fourteentl-st might wen
reply: "No. don't. l know that there are all
SORTS Of kickcrs making fuss in newspapers
between elections but | observe that they are
all Democrats-ant-R Republicans AL vote
the straight ticket when the time comes. 'but
aren't there il great many Revenue ReformerS
and Civil Service RcfOrners and MugwumpS
included in your 70.00O majority" VERY like
ly: but what difference does il make what they
call themselves or what their particular hobby
Is so long as they vote with us and in so doing
say that rs between the parties. they trust the
Democratic party rather than the Republican:
That's all there il 10 il.
Mr. Croker's reasoning is simple: his logical
processes are short sharp aud decisive. They
are sufficient for his purpose But they may
serve 10 suggest serious reflection 10 that curl
Gus class of voters who. in their zeal for re-
forming the revenue or the Civil Service or
anything else, 90 over 10 Mr.. Crokcrs party ana
give ii vote Of confidence.