Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-12
NOT OUT OF POLITICS
Richard Croker to Conduct the Campaign
in New York Next Fall. -s.
The Most Successful Leader Tamnlany
Ever Had-Plans for the Future
of Lamont and Cummings.

The bit of a scrap at the Croker Dime,
Saturday night merely emphasized situa-
tion In Tammany Hall already known to
exist. The Star ten days ago, OH the au.
thority of a well-informed New Yorker
stated that Richard Croker was not out OF
! politics, and, moreover, could not get out
at this time If he wanted to.
This New Yorker went into details, and
| made the matter altogether plain. Tam.
many, he said, would have no other leader
| while Mr.. Croker was alive and kicking. I,
| might tolerate a substitute during period
of calm and recuperation, as at present. but
not longer. The Hall in time of battle
would respond to no other call but that o1
Croker. This stands now fully confirmed
John c. Sheehan has been tolerated during
Mr.. Croker's absence abroad, when nothing
was In the wind, but the temperance OF
the old chief, and the near approach of an
important election, develop where the heart
of the organization is centered. Mr.. Croker
must cut and come again, and everything
| indicates that he will do so. In fact, it is
all but officially announced that he will re.
turn from England in full time to conduct
| the fall campaign, either openly, as of old
or by the contrivance of a proxy designed
to contribute to his personal comfort, and
thereby enhance his partisan usefulness.
No More Successful Leader.
Tammany Hall in its whole history has
| not had more successful man at it's head
than Richard Croker. There are various
estimates of the man-some according him
unusual powers of this kind and that, and
| others holding him up as being only a
grim fighter with magnetic influence over
| individuals trained to slavish obedience.
But power of some kind he undoubtedly
possesses, and that it is the kind that
Tammany responds to is open to no dis
cussion. There is no appeal from the rec
in No Iol frap he
thrifty contractor. who lives well and
stands well in the community, to the sea-
soned tough who hammers the cause along
| with bare knuckles at the polls. looks up
to Mr.. Croker and works all the harder
when he is in command. 1t is idle. there
fore, to leave him out of the calculation,
| or, taking him into account, to fail to ap-
praise him at his full valuation.
Will Stick to New York.
Mr.. Croker, upon his return to the coun-
try, will confine himself to the New York
situation Strong as he is, he would not
spread out we'll. He would not be effective
as national quantity. But at nome, where
he knows all the ropes and pulls them with
skill, he ought to again prove a great card
for his party.
The fight in New York this year, while, of
course, 1T will be made for everything in
sight, will yet be shaped for full fruition
next year. Tammany wants to regain pos
session of the city hall and the out-of-town
democracy possession of the state house at
Albany. The prospects for this are thought
to be good. The reformers in town are dis
integrating, while Thos. c. Platt is carrying
things with so high and Croker-like a hand
over the state at large that revolt against
MIN within his party is regarded as certain.
1t Is even being counseled now by his re-
publican opponents. Here, then, will be Mr.
Croker's opportunity. He will return to New
York, put Tammany in fighting trim again
cooperate with Senator Hill in the re-
habilitation of the state machine keep an
eye on all the blunders and disaffections of
the republicans, and by next year be ready
to strike a hard blow.
The Future Program.
|. Interest In this program is enhanced by
the fact that as the state is now arranged
Amos ]. Cummings is to be the democra tic
candidate for mayor, and Daniel S. Lamont
the candidate for governor. Such candi-
dates with Mr.. Croker and Mr.. Hill to push
them along, will make the republicans
hustle.