The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-20

Mr.. Sheehan is a very good man, he said.
That is the height OF praise from Richard
Croker He Is never extravagant in his
praise. He Is taciturn. a man OF few
words. II lis not habit Of his to speak
his mind freely. Yet It could not be said
OF him that he wears a mask. He merely
keeps quiet, and II through his saying
nothing the people misconstrue his pur-
poses 1t Is more their fault than his. Mr..
Croker reminded me over and over again
that he was out Of politics to stay; that
he had had his day and wanted no more
OF 1t. That was more than year ago
Since then he has had another trip to
Europe and what were at that time men,
acing threats against him have died away
into nothing. He bided his time. He
came back when II was worth his while.
When there was no game worth hunting
or he remained at hds ease abroad. But
when the hour was ripe for the spoils OF
Greater New York-rich beyond all NUM-
cpal dreams--to be divided Croker was
prompt on the spot.
Out of politics ?--Richard Croker out OF
politics with the richest prize at stake
that ever came within the domain OF his
peculiar power? Hardly. One must know
Croker but little to believe that. He had
won great distinction as an individual
power, as bees, II you please. But
what is that compared to what the glory
OF capturing and dominating the govern
ment of the greatest commercial capital OF
the new western world will be. II the pol
ltics OF old New York was worth his eff
fort. how many times more so Is the pol
tiles of the great new city now for the
first time to name It's governors. Mr.
Croker is not out of 1t, but very much In
1t, and In spite OF all that is said In
criticism, In calumny, an abuse or praise
he Will elect his ticket. His will be the
most potent and tremendous personal in
tuence In the campaign,
There Dc nothing soft or gentle or re-
fined about this leader OF men He does
not pretend to any high standard of NOR
ais or thought. yet in the matter of his
personal habits he is a man exceedingly
careful. He has no injurious habits. The
instinct Of sef-preservaton is too strong
within him. He does not drink When
he was here It happened to be election day
He asked gentleman to take n drink as
they sat at lunch. The gentleman said
he would take a cocktail
Bring me some water" said Mr. Gro
ker.
Don't you drink. Mr.. Croker?" the gen
leman asked.
"No, ! do not" he said II prefer
water"
Just then the waiter told him that it
being election day he could get nothing
as intoxicating as a cocktail.
"What?' said Croker in disgust and
amazement. What? You don't mean to
tell me you have law by which man
can't get a drink with his dinner? That
is an outrage! 1t is preposterous; 1t is
tyranny,
Where did any lawmaker get the right
to say what man should drink for din
ner or to say that he shan't have a cock
tall If he wants 1t? DO you have such
laws as that here? can't believe 1t OF
a civilized STATED"
He growled out his disgust in manner
past description. don't know whether he
has recovered from bis disgust for Geor-
gia
Mr. Croker is a great believer in the
sort Of personal liberty that will give to
the rank and file OF Tammany what they
want to drink whenever they want 1t.