Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
But for This Croker Might Ultimately
Reach the Presidency.
POLITICAL POWERS BEHIND Elm
Must Limit His Ambition to the
United States Senate.
HILLS WAITING AME
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
NEW YORK, December 3. 1897
With the close of the weeks conference
at Lakewood the New York papers have
at last awakened to the Importance of the
triumph of Richard Croker-to the realiza-
ton of his program in state and national
politics This forward movement" of the
boss of Tammany Hall in state and ma
tional politics was first announced in this
correspondence nearly a month ago.
Croker's desire for vindcation, his plans to
succeed United States Senator Murphy in
the event of the latter declining re-elec-
ton on account of his health, have already
been commented upon by your correspond
ent at length
The weight and force and power of a
clans in state and national politics should
not be underestimated- There are those
who already assert that it is fortunate for
the country that Croker came over on an
emigrant ship while a youth instead o.
counting New York city as his birthplace
else he would be regarded in the light of
dangerous competitor for the nomination
CT the presidency itself
This : merely given as an ilIustra ton of
the holi that Croker has already obtained
upon matters political in this city. Ger
tam 1t Is that if he had been born on this
side of the Atlantic. and if he so willed IT,
ne could secure the support of Tamm1:ly
Hall for the highest office in the gift of the
repubiic-so complete is his authority in
matters pertaining to the wigwarn Tn
der the existing conditions Croker VIII in
all probability attempt to secure seat in
the United States Senate. He will pick
out one of his favorites Judge Van Wyck
or possibly Judge Alton b. Parker who
was recently elected Judge of the state
court or appeals by a large majority, as
Iammanys candidate for President i'm the
next national democratic convention Hill
Will be thrown aside-a squeezed lemon. a
political -eminiscence.
Troubles in Tnmmany's Path.
Ihere are some things which may inter-
fere with the forward movement" of Tam
many Hail First and foremost is the deep
seated opposition to Tammany manifested
by the country delegates in state and ma
tional conventions. Nothing pleases the
average democrat from the south and west
more than to turn down Tammany Hall
ana nsten to the roar of the tiger This
support of the hall has never helped ex-
senator Hill in national politics On the
other hand, the opposition of Tammany
never injured Cleveland. OF course the
delegates from the region beyond the ALLIE
enemies have always been willing to take
advantage of TaCnmany's magnificent or
etnlzotlon for the purpose of getting out
the vote IN New York state after the NOM
NATIONS are made, but so far as the ac-
tuai work of the conventions is concerned
me empire state has never occupied the po-
slfcn in democratic national politics which
Its importance would seem to justify The
delegates seem to have habitualIy pro-
ceeded upon the theory of finding out
Whlch way the tiger was going and then
proceeding N the opposite direction.
II Is this hatred of the average New York
city democrat which may play into the
hands of the Sage of Wolfert's Roost and
enable him in the long run and the end to
regain his influence in the national councils
0Rrnnpl ra rrv IL
ecly capable of playing the country against
the city. and playing it to perfection In
fortunately for him. so far as state poll
tics IS concerned, the great majority of the
democratic members of the state legiska-
ture viii be drawn from the Greater New
York territory. The remainder of the state
Will however. furnish the larger number
or the delegates at the state conventions
Hence il is probable to nceive of a condi-
ton of affairs where Hill might control the
state conS @ni!on as AGAINST Croker; but in
asmuch as Hill is anxious to return to the
United States Senate and pick up the reins
of Office where he dropped them. he will
naturally have A hard road to hoe in
contest of strength with Croker, for the
reason that a majority Of the demOcra tic
members of the state legislature will be
controlled by Tammany's boss. In other
words. a condition of affairs might arise
where Hill might be nominated for COVER
nor in opposition TO the wishes of Croker:
but he Couii not be United States sena-
tor without Croker's consent.
HiiIs is Waiting Game.
All things come to him who waits. and
Hill Is playing a waiting game. In the
first place he may be expected to appear
before the next convention with a "har-
mony plea He will urge that there should
be no inquiry into mans political past;
no Endorsement of the Chicago platform;
no discussion as to whether support or nom
support OF Bryan constitutes party LOYALTY
III q IN
the nominees in the future should be ac-
cepted criterion of a mans democracy
Next he viii insist that the governor should
be elected and the state legislature placed
securely in their seats before any quest ion
as TO the United States senatorship is rails
ed. Having secured the majority of the
members of the state legislature he Will
probably endeavor to secure the caucus
nomination by the arts of which he has so
long been a master.
In this struggle for the survival of the
political fttest in the state, Hill will I'M
doubtedly have on his side powerful forces.
He will probably be able to capture a good
many OF The county organizations outside
of the Greater New York. Then it should
be remembered tEat Tammany is stronger
today than il will De after the appoin tments
are announced ana the struggles inside the
organization have again commenced. Hill
will perhaps rally tc HIS side many of the
disaffectef clements, and, strange as it may
seem. the whi-iigIS of politics may bring 70
his side many of the old Cleveland sup
porters-
The Van Wyck administration will IN
doubtedly be full of municipal scandals
as the Gilroy and Grant administrations, for
the same men are in the saddle. Then in
case the democrats capture the state leg
islature. gas and street railroads and q.
dozen other matters in connection with
franchises may De expected to result in de-
rnoraliZaiion-
Then there is DR.. Parkhurst, with his an
nounced intention of keeping up All unre-
lentinR fire on municipal corruption, and
who, while not popular in New York as
he was three years ago. may nevertheless
assist in bringing the reformers into office
with the next swing OF the pendulum.
Plans of Mr.. Croker.
Cookers plans are outlined about foi-
lows: He will first endeavor to capture the
counties Immediately to the north and west
OF the greater city. This will land him in
the friendly territory where Senator Ed
ward Murphy is in control. This will give
these two allies the control of 135 delegates
To the next state convention IL McLaugh-
lin. in return for recognition in a distribu-
ton OF the offices in Greater New York as