The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-09-13

New YORK, Sept. 81 can't for the
life of me see where the public is inter
ested In MY private affairs" said Mr.
Croker Yesterday. "of course, when
wasin activ~poIticsitw W asan entirelytiiffe
eut matter Now 50 far as my movements
after the convention are concerned, VIII
say this As soon AS the candidates of the
Democratic PARTY are named, am willing
10 do all in my power to help them win.
Il wHl take any instructions that may
I've given me, and fulfil them 70 the best OF
my ability. In fact, 1 am willing, nay,
more. anxious, 10 lend my influence, what
ever IL may I've, toward the success OF the
Democratic nominees. But let me again
make {: plain that I will not work az
laacpr ! win be q subject, and a willing
one, IL my lsAp, service or experience Is
requeeea.i. Int / viii DO nothing without
the solicitation of John c. Sheehan ana the
admitted .aders OF New Iork's Democracy.
III they deem my service OF any value TO
them ais ready TO take off my coat and
work as hard as anyone in the ranks
Now think that is pretty plain languaee,
and you NAV rest assured that my cOnduct
In tile future will make good my words.
'sThcre as another matter wish 70 speak
about. aud that is ln relation TO the al
legea conference which the papers claim
have pai oicipaied in. There have been no
conferences. and as far as l am concerned
there wiz be nom. IL | wanted TO confer
90 the political situation, why should il be
necessary TO come away down here TO do
SO. when il could be d1aa with greaterease
and more secrecy in New York?
LAS - Richfield Springs, l simply went
up there to SEE my family. 1 had not seen
them since my trip abroad, and politics
never FOR a moment entered my thoughts
So far as my visit 90 Senator Murphy is
concerned, it was a surprise 10 him. l sim
ply wired him Saturday morning that
would come d0Nn to spend few days at
his place He was greatly surprised TO see
me last might
I'VE went over to pay q visit TO John c.
Sheehan. Senator Murphy had not seen
him for some time, and as we were eOIrG
fGr a dri sc We decided 90 stop at the Sheehan
cottage. We met Mfr. Sheehan and his
wife. The compliments of the season aud
@ few friendly remarks was all that pa sSed
between US. There was no talk or politics
or anything bordering on the political stu
alton.
Now. win say to you and the people OF
New York. that when I am going TO par
ticipate In q political conference, l VIII
attend il openly and without fear. There
tsro need or necessity OF secrecy On my part.
What have TO say on the situation ] viii
say ttC the world. My views are no longer
official. have had my day, and the time
has come FOR others 10 do what I formerly
did. II MIR. Sheehan or his lieutenants
wish me TO participate in a conference after
the convention. L viii do so, and the public
viii know all about it, you may rest assured
OF that.
''Thcre is ore thing that strikes me as
being rather strange, and that is that /
should be in doubt aS 60 Mr.. Sheehan =
ability % lead his party. / regard Mr..
Sheehan and the other gentlemen sssa-
ciated with him as being capable OF per
forming any and all d uties that ma Y fan to
their lots. I have the highest admiration
for them personally and the utmost con-
fidence in their ability to make a winning
fight. II they deem me OF any service d
them they win not hesitate to say so az
ter ta,e convention. SO far as the candl-
dates for mayor are cOncerned know moth
ing about the situation.
Let ne say now, once for all, that
an no longer a leader in New York politics.
Nor have / any intentions OF aspirations
to agsin fIn the position that l had the
honor of filling for So many years.
81 want the public TO understand my po-
sition thoroughly, in order that ] cannot be
placed 30 laise light. ] am not here TO
lead, but t. serve Just as any good member
OF TIE Democratic party. But untl the
convention il held and all the nominations
made, am purely and simply an outside
spectator, Interested as every other public
spirited citizen is in the welfare of New
York and the political party with which
have been affiliated"