The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-18
CROKER'S AMBITION.
Means by Which the Tammany BOs
Hopes to Gain National Power.

New York Letter in Philadelphia Press.
One of those who, although a National
Democrat, felt that he could with consist
ency support the Tammany ticket, is of the
opinion that the Republicans are certain TO
elect their candidates for Governor next ran
and the Legislature well, thus giving to
the party a choice of a senator to succeed
Senator Murphy in the federal Senate.
The reason given for this view is not the
one which might be expected that is, that
in the course of events the reaction IN 1898
would be sure to favor the Republican
party
mocracy of this city is not equal to the
craftsmanship which the first admnistra-
ton of the Greater New York will demand,
Republican or the Citizens Union, II IL
were in authority at the beginning OF the
administration of the Greater New York,
would find the undertaking so complicated,
difficult and unsatisfactory to the commun-
ity to make reaction the first time the
ballot box gave opportunity inevitable
Mr.. Croker, who has assumed the leader
ship both of Tammany organization and OF
the administration of the Greater New
York. has undertaken a task the dlfncultleS
of which he probably does not fully realize.
Although he is concealing himself In
measure at Lakewood, yet he is closely
watched. so closely that it is now believed
that some of his purposes may be inferred
from the character of the men who nave
visited him.
one of the purposes seems to be the res
toration to rover of the old leaders OF Tam
many who were so badly dscredited in 1894
If at Cookers command these men or any
considerable number of them are brought
back to important public posts it is the con-
viction here. not of the Republicans merely
but of many Democrats who supported the
Tammany ticket, that Mr.. Croker will make
q serious mistake.
Were the patronage and power which the
administration of the Greater New York
will confer the only consideration Mr.
Croker could probably put up with criti-
cism and smile at accusations. The new
administration has four years to serve and
President of the United States is to elect
ed and two Congresses before the term
of that administration is ended.
But it is clear that Mr.. Croker has
wider aspirations and greater ambitions
than the ruling of the American metropo-
lis No one doubts that he aims to OBJ
tain control or at least great influence
in the Democratic party of the United
States. and it is believed that that pur-
pose in part at least, explains his deter
nination to make war upon ex-senator
Hill.
The impression is that Mr. Croker in.
tends to put an end to the ambitions of
Bryan and to make of no avail the politics
which have the nomination of Bryan in
view. At the same time he does not propose
violently to antagonize the stronger wing of
the Democratic party. For year or two he
hopes that the method adopted by Tam
many in the recent campaign Will seem to
the Democracy in the North and East to
be the wiser policy, and thus little by
little the Democracy may find a path by
which IL may in 1901 arrive at common
feeling of action.
The announcement of the new leader of
the Democracy in the legislature, which IS
to meet in January. that the party will
continue tc antagonize trusts, will advocate
municipal ownership of gas and other cor
porations which depend upon a public fran
chise for their opportunity TO do business,
will introduce measures restricting the
power OF judges to punish for contempt
Unless the contempt has been committed in
! The presence of the court. and will advocate
also certain other features OF the Chicago
platform-this statement Of purpose; which
| is regarded as coming authoritatively from
Croker himself. is fair indication of one