The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-24
CROKER A STATE LEADER
TAMMANY CHIEF SELECTS a NEW
POLITICAL HOME.

VIII Join tho Democratic Ciub-Mny Succeed
Ex-Gov. Flower as Presidcnt-Mr Croker
Ambitious TO strengthen BITS Party ne
Plans. 1t Is said. TO Reconcile All ni.cora.
ant Elements = Messrs. Rlower, n1urphy.
HIN. whitney. and others May Ata Hiu.
LAKEWOOD, \. j., Dec. 23.-From information
obtained here to-day 1t appears that after the
first OF the year Richard Croker will tako an 40
tive part In carrying out his plan OF strengthen
Ing the Democratic party, not alone In Now York
city, but throughout the State. II Ia learned that
he Intends to make his political headquartera af.
ter the new administration starts In at the Demo-
cratic Clubo on Fifth avenue. Mr. Croker Il 10 said,
has consented to become o member Of the club
His consent was, II Is said. brought about hF
conferences OF friends with Roswell p. Flower,
the President of the club. He has been urged "a
join, 1t is stated here to-day, by ex.Gov. Flower
and ex.Police Justice Thomas L. Foitnor, who 10
the Grand Sachem Of Tammany, and II 10 also said
that Mr.. Flower offered to resign the Presidency
II Mr.. Croker would consent to take the oflca.
Mr.. Croker. the same authority states, declined
to accept the Presidency, but It Is believed that
the members will AJAX him to become the Presi-
dent when his name appears on the membership
roll.
Mr.. Croker, 80 n Tammany leader said, en-
toTthin Luc lu6h tnhb ne, Win the hlu OF eoVoEoH
other Democratic leaders throughout thu State,
can bring about harmony In the conflicting elo-
ments of the party. In tho campaign Of 1895
ex.Gov. Flower and other members, conspicuous
for the stand they took In favor Of sound money
rs against Organism and free silver, dominated
the club and sent out speakers and distributed
sound-money literature throughout the country.
Mr.. Croker, according to the Tsmmany man
quoted. in changing his political headquarters
from the small Office which he formerly occupied
at III Broadway to the moro commodious quar-
tiers Of the Democratic Club is simply carrying
out his plan OF becoming an important factor, IL
not the leading one. in the control of the Demo
cratic party in the State of New York. He in
tends. 1t 10 said, to mako the Democratic Club
the representative club of the Democratic party
just as much as the Union League Club 10 the
representative club of the Republican party In
the United States.
The membership roll of the Democratic Club.
said the Tammany leader, contains the names
Of Democrats who are conspicuous In State and
national affairs. and most Of whom favor o
sound money policy. Among these are United
states Senator Murphy, ex-senator Hill. ex-
Lieut.-Gov. William T. Sheehan. and ex.Seore-
tary of the Navy William G. whitney. These
men, according to THE Suns informant, will,
through the influence of Mr.. Croker. be brought
In contact with the dissatisfied elements of tho
Democratic party, and future campaigns will
DO conducted on principles which will not call
forth the opposition the Bryanito principles
have evoked in the past.
Mr.. Croker, when asked this evening to talk
about his plans in this direction. declined to
say anything further than that 1t was true
that he intended to make the Democratic Club
his political home In the future.
Messrs. Croker and Carroll spent the day
quietly around the hotel, except for an hour %
two this afternoon. when they took q long walk
through the pines. Among those who called on
Mr.. Croker to-day were City Court Judges
Mccarthy and Fitzsimons, Civil Justice Henry
M. Goldfoglea and George NJ. Curtis.
Messrs. Croker and Carroll. Senator Grady.
and the other Tammany leaders will leave here
tomorrow to spend Christmas at their homes,
They will return on Monday, to remain all Of
next week. when. it is expected. all Of the ap-
pointments of the new administration will DO
arranged and ready for announcement when
Mayor-elect Van Wyck is inauKurated on Jan, /.
No appointments were announced to-day.