Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-17
RICHARD CROKER'S HAND
It is Shown Very Plainly in Tammany's
Recent Reorganization.
Politics and Turf Connection The
BOurke Cochran Incident Not
of Much Importance.

The politicians in New York and else
where are beginning to see that they have
not had their last dealings with Richard
Croker. The eX-boss of Tammany Hall
gives signs of becoming boss again, with
authority greater than ever before and with
a prestige increased by successes achieved
on the turf. The recent reorganization of
Tammany shows Croker's hand through
out, and the widely advertised racing ven
ture in England starts off with handsome
winning over ten English horses. Some of
this may be luck. but the greater part Of it
is thought to be shrewd management, and
the author of it is stamped as a man of
undoubted parts and still in the prime of
his powers.
Politics and the Turf.
The connection between politics and the
turf is very close in England, and Mr..
Croker may establish a certain connection
between them in this country. His present
undertaking is certainly an ambitious one.
and it is suggested that he may be able to
capitalize~it in his political work. 1t ap-
peals strongly. even in Mr.. Croker'S hands,
to national pride. England has always
claimed to be invincible on the turf, as on
the sea. She boasts that her horses are the
feetest and that her ships are the stanch-
est, anywhere to be found. Her horses
have been beaten, and on their own ground.
but not often.
AS d rule Iney snow the way. But MIR.
Croker proposes to challenge them it
has never been done before. He is not to
content himself with one or two races, run
under favorable circumstances, but will try
all distances and all weights and give the
best exhibition possible of the speed and
staying qualities of the stock he has taken
over. His string has been well selected,
and some OF the best informed turfmen are
first news is good and If this is repeated
often enough from the other contests to
make a distinct record for the venture and
increase respect for the American horse
abroad Mr.. Croker'S return home will prob
ably be the occasion of a local ovation. He
Will be something of hero in New York,
where turf interests are large and turfmen
of nature to spend money literally at
election times. The whole racing fraternity,
east and west, will bow before him as the
first American to lower. the English colors
at the track in series of sharp contests,
with no quarter asked or given, and this
may strengthen him in his political under
takings. The effect of success achieved
under snowy circumstances Is far reach
Ing, and MIR. Croker is represented as fully
capable of turning everything to complete
account that comes his way.
Still at the Head of Tnmmany.
That Mr.. Croker is practically still at the
head of Tammany Hall has, it is thought
just been demonstrated. The men he does
not like have been turned down, while the
men he does like have been exalted
Bourke Cockran's fate had 1t is asserted
long been forecast. Mr.. Cochran made no
effort to avert it. He was not in position
to fight Mr.. Croker. and so bowed to the
Inevitable. What he may do in the future
is problem. But New Workers assert
that the Croker contingent put but little
stress on the Cochran episode. The real
triumph achieved is thought to be that
over ex-Mayor Gilroy. Mr.. Croker and
Mr.. Gilroy are men after the same pattern
They possess organizing power and what
is called executive capacity. They are
silent men, and both tremendous workers.
Mr.. Croker, it is stated, would rather COM
bat twenty Cockrans than one Gilroy. He
regards the orator in politics as far less
dangerous as an antagonist than the or
ganiZer, the man of action. He recognizes
in Mr.. Gilroy those qualities that have
made himself feared, and that have given
him his own power. His principal desire,
therefore, it is said, was to send Mr.. Gill
roy to the rear, and thus remove a posi-
BILE danger from near the throne. This has
been done, and now wnen the new work
under the new crganiZati ton is ready Mr..
Croker and his friends will have every
thing their own way. They are in supreme
command, and represent the only recog-
nized democratic organization in the city
of New York. They are likewise in sympa-
thetic touch with the democratic state
organization, and will cooperate with
Senator Hill and his friends in whatever
steps they may take looking to the re-
habilitation of the party there.