Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-11
Boss Croker to Rule Supreme Over
Greater New York.
TO FIGURE In NATIONAL POLITICS
The Line Sharply Drawn Between
Bryan and Croker.
HOW THE BOSS GOT CONTROL
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star


Dozens of the New York state papers since
the recent election have commented upon
what they call The Passing of Senator
Piatt-' If they are searching for the dra-
matte well as the true. the picturesque
as well as the dangerous, they would con-
slider instead The Coming of Croker"
In the midst of this play of passions, this
swirl of forces. one name stands out clear
and distinct. 1t is the name of Richard
Croker. If the recent election in this city
has demonstrated any one thing * is that
Croker is a power in this land today. Re
sist it as one will. despise it as one may.
nevertheless from now on Tammany Hall
is a power to be reckoned in national poll
tics. And with the exception of William
Jennings Bryan. who. as the leader of the
democratic party in the last campaign. is
still recognized as the official head of the
organization, there is in all probability not
democrat in this country who can COM
pare with Croker in influence This was
demonstrated in a practical way the other
day when the mere rumor of the death OF
Croker was sufficient to send stocks kiting
downward the New York stock OK
change, only to soar aloft again when the
rumor was officially denied. The death of
n cabinet minister or the downfall of a
United States senator would not do more
than that.
From State to National Politics.
And all this within a month. 1t require no
brilliant flights of the imagination to fore
see for Boss Croker of New York city
career equally successful in state politics.
And, successful in state politics, it is not
too much 10 predict his triumph in national
politics. because of the predomnating in
fluence of the empire state IN The councils
of the nation. The upbuilding and uplift-
ing of Platt in New York state politics on
the republican side of the house furnishes
a pretty parallel Only what Senator Plat
has accomplished after sixteen years Oh
hard, unreienting, unrelentleSS work, night
and day. since the defeat of Conkling and
the death of Garfield. Croker gives pI omise
of performing in sixteen months
1t seems only yesterday since Croker
stepped off from the ocean steamship fresh
from his defeats on the English race tracks.
Remembering that in few weeks time
Croker has proved himself the absolute
master of Tammany Hall, has nominated
a mayor and secured his election by an
unprecedented majority; that from now
for the next four years he VIII be the
dictator of the second largest city in the
world, the practical master of 5000 mu-
nicipal employees, the man who holds in
the hollow of his hand the forces which
have charge of the expenditure of $3OO,00O.-
OO0-S600 for every voter in the Greater
New York-one commences to wonder con-
corning the manner of man Croker IS
With these triumphs of month to his
credit. it is not too much to predict that an
effort will be made to secure his cleo
ton as United States senator from
the empire state to succeed Edward Muir
ply, jr. Croker would not dare to run for
mayor governor in canvass before the
people but in the manipulation of legis-
lature he would be in his element.
His Leave-Tnking.
If you are looking for contrasts, draw
a parallel between Cookers leave-taking,
his Homecoming. and contrast these with
his recent departure with some Tammany
intimates for the pleasure resorts of the
south. 1t had been a period of universal
indignation in the city. Senator Lexow
and the investigating committee had been
in session for weeks. and day after day
the populace had been RECALLED with new
sensations. The ''Pantata' system had
been exposed; the Matchmaking of the
pool rooms and the race tracks the gam
bling houses and the disorderly houses
had been brought out. The probe of John
W. Con-. the counsel for the Lexow in
vestigating committee, had gone down deep
and the citizens of New York were shocked
at the revelation The election of Strong
as mayor and Goff recorder followed.
and men breathed easier for a time.
Croker. who has a record as general
who never yet led the Tammany Hall army
to defeat. saw what was coming. He de
cided to neither bend nor break under the
storm He had fought: now was the time
to run away. The another day and fight
ing would come for him sooner or later
The farewell banquet to Croker should not
be forgotten in this connection. John c.
Sheehan, formerly a public official in the
city of Buffalo. was selected by Mr.. Croker
as the new boss. At the banquet, just as
the loving cup was presented to Mr..
Croker. and while other loving cups were
being passed around among the assembled
leaders. the tall form of John Reilly of the
Eleventh congressional district doomed up.
Anger was in his heart, and the query,
who made this man Sheehan boss over
us%' caused sensation. and even Croker
was taken aback. But the one idea upper
most in the minds of all was that Cookers
mission in New York city was at an end
no matter what might be the future of
Tammany Hall The banquet in con-
sideration of past services, not in consid-
Grafton of favors in the future.
Out of sight is out of mind, even within
the sacred portals of Tammany Hail. In
all the organization there remained not
half dozen men faithful to the memory
gresham Sulzer, another was John Car
roll; still another. though in different
sort OF way. was the Croker-appointed
leader. John c. Sheehan-
The incoming of Mayor Strong and the
reformers convinced Mr.. Croker that New
York city would not be a congeniaI place
for him The Chicago convention, the tri-
umph OF the south and the west in the
democratic national councils the nominal
ton OF Bryan made the wisdom of his
choice doubly apparent Mr.. Croker pre-
dicted the defeat of the democratic party
In New York city and state last year He
was certain OF the defeat of Bryan He
had horror of defeat himself as the
leader OF Tammany Hail. but he was will
ing mat Tammany Hall should go down to
defeat as the champion of free and unIim-
ited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to
under the leadership of John c. Sheehan.
His Homecoming.
Hence 1t happened that after three years
residence in England Mr.. Croker had been
Erpplanted to all intents and purposes by
John c. Sheehan- Not one Tammany lead
er In dozen ever dreamed that MIR. Gro
ker intended to return to this country per-
manently- Not one person in a hundred
doubted his stereotyped phrase. II am out
OF politics.. Not one man in a Thousand
who even gave the matter a second thought
had anything except a hazy notion that
Mr.. Croker had gone abroad for his health.
and the general impression was that he
was having too good time to think of re-
turning. Racing In Europe Is the sport of
kings. and IL was merely reported in this
country that the ex-boss of Tammany Hall
was enjoying himself like a prince"
Inc announcement Of his intention to re-
turn to this country evoked little general