New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-30
SPOILSMEN ON TOP.

The sudden resuscitation Of the Democratic
Club when 1t was apparently at its last gasp
by the choice of Mr. Richard Croker as one Of
Its executive officers. and the consequent ac-
cession Of his personal adherents to its active
membership, Is not of itself a matter of such
moment as to justify the amount Of space which
the press has given 1t. If there were nothing
IN 1t more than change Of the Croker head
quarters or stroke of good fortune for bank.
rupt social and political organization, It might
pass without extended comment As a matter
Of fact it means much more. For It really
draws the line once more, and with greater
dstiDctness, between the two wings of the
Democratic party heretofore known as Tam
many and Anti-Tammany The former IS now
on top and In full feather. Mr. Croker is its
embodiment as we'll as its head and the Demo
cratic Club Is TO be hereafter as much its home
as Tammany Hall itself. On the other hand,
the Manhattan Club will continue to be the
abiding place OF those whom the old Tammany
organ calls Democratic Mugwumps-the follow.
ers of Grover Cleveland-who believe, or be-
tween campaigns think they believe. in purer
politics and higher standards Of official life
than the Tammany crowd of spollsmen The
Democratic Club represents the noisy confident
and aggressive Democracy who are Just now in
the full tide Of enjoyment Of the recent victory
and anticipation Of coming spoils The Manhat.
tan Club members. not so joyous or 80 OK.
pectant are looking on with languld interest.
though not without hope.
The difference between the two IL pretty
clearly indicated in what the friends of Mr..
Croker are reported ms saying concerning the At
titude Of that gentleman toward Mr. Cleveland.
who may be fairly considered the leading ex.
ponent of the ideas of the opposition wing. Ac
cordlng to these gentlemen Croker, after the
Democratic victory in 1892, was exceedingly
anxious that his friend. Edward Murphy, IT..
should be rewarded for his services as chair.
man Of the Democratic State Committee with
the Office Of United States Senator. Mr.. Cleve-
land frankly opposed It In a letter which was
printed In December, 1892, In which he said
among other things. that the interests OF the
State and the party demanded the selection of
a Senator who could not only defend the prin-
ciples of the party. but could originate and
promote policies to be presented for considera-
ton In the Senate. To insure this the Senator
should be a man not only experienced In pub
lie affairs, but who had q clear conception Of
the vital issues with which ne must deal during
the next few years. He said that. in his opin-
ION, the selection OF MI Murphy would not
show a desire or intention OF placing in the
Senate man of such type. Croker said at
the time that Mr.. Cleveland had no right to
come out and say such things about Murphy
after all that Murphy had done for him during
the campaign. Cleveland was the idol Of the
Manhattan Club, and on that account Croker
shortly afterward withdrew from 1t, because. as
he said. the majority Of Its members had no
sympathy with straight Democracy"
Nothing could indicate more clearly the line
Of demarcatlon between the two factions Of the
party as they will hereafter be represented by the
two clubs 1t may be stated almost in a word.
One faction is for principle the other for spells.
M. Cleveland with blunt frankness opposed