The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-14
His Enemies Say so and Point 10 His Pro-
posed European Tdn
INDICATIONS THAT He is Ratified.
II Is Shown By the Fact That He Has Been GOaded
Into Instant Response TO Attacks Made
Upon Him.

Srw yonE, Nov. Is - Special And
now they are getting ready 10 rcau Rich
ard Croker out OF the parry, to down him.
50 To srcalS-- owipo him of the face Of
thc oar.L. And the grizzhyi veteran OF
rany Tammany campaign, the man
who g1t his flrst sound political druhhing
less than avrCk ago is getting ready 20
put up one q Che toughest fights OF u life
tin that lils alreCtly seen iAs more than
the average Of cointag.
g'hosr who knuw 1.-The old man pretty
well declare that he has already begun to
show signs OF unwonted nervousness and
point to his proposed European soiourn to
justify the declaration.
They do not say that he Is afraid, hut they
do say that ne Is plainly "rattlcd other
wiso he would not be SO ready rs he has
lately been % make answer in print 20
those who attack him. And this point
seems to be fairly well taken. Mr.. Croker
has never been avcrse tc taking his own
side in u newspaper controversy, but no
has rarely or mover before allowed himself
TO bo goaded into an instantaneous re-
sporsc.
Yet on the first day after tho announce.
ment that an organization counter To
Tammany within the party ranks was tn
DO put I'm the field he declared 10 the re-
porters that those who were after his scalp
were ''soreheads" and entered into an
elaborate analysis OF last Tuesdays vote
and defense OF tho work done In the
campaign by Tammany Hall
Old Times Recalled.
The formation OF an anti -Tammany
organization within Democratic ranks
will serve to many New Workers as
strong reminder of the old days when
there were several such organizations;
when the Coupty Democracy, Irving Hall
and other temporarily important but now
dong forgotten halls" fought bitterly
with Tammany for recognition" IL for
nothing else. and thought tho fight well
worth tho making If only fraction Of the
city's patronage were wrested from the
tiger.
In those old days Abram 8. Hewitt,
later a good Tammany man, but now not
i'm sympathy therewith, was long leader
of tho County Democracy. Bourke Cook
ran, silver tongued, polished and able, but
actually driven out Of politics in 1898 by
Croker, began political life in New York
as member of Irving Hall. In those old
days there were times when Tammany's
than one or other of the rival organiza-
tions, and IL has been nothing less than
the organizing genius of Mr.. Croker that
has wiped them all off the slate We're his
administrative ability equal to his powers
of organization, were he as capable of
making judicious concessions and OF keep
ing himself clear of tho demon Of jealousy
as ne is OF arousing enthusiasm and in :
spring confidence in himself and his pow
ers of political leadership, no would have
not the slightest difficulty in preventing
the birth OF rival to Tammany in the
present depressing circumstances.
But Mr.. Croker's diplomatic qualities
arc to some extent conspicuous by their
absence He seems Co lack the power of
being sasfsfied with sufflciency.
Then, few years ago, when the city
government was entirely I'm Tammsny's
control, which meant his control, his rela-
tive by marriage, Thomas +. Gilroy, being
mayor; when the state government was
in control OF Democrats whose sympathy
with Tammany was perfect, Mr.. Croker
iaised no end OF q row because Mr.. Cock
ran wouldn't help him and his family to
get into society.
When Harper's Praised Tammany.
lt Is nHTulJ ntCesShTN tb tut
reader that Mr.. Cockran's withdrawal
from active public life was due almost en-
tirely to MIR. Croker's disappointment
about his social aspirations. But IL may
be forgotten that Il was just about then
that Harpcr's weekly-Tammany's bitter
est foe ever since the cartoonist Thomas
Mast was in his prime and contributed so
effectively TO the downfall OF the Tweed
ripg-publishcd laudatory article con
cerning the virtuous qualities OF the new
Tammany."
That article marked the period Of Tam
many's greatest power prior To this year.
The writer who succeeded In getting it
published was rewarded handsomely for
his feat by the organization, and swell
dinner to which Croker and nearly ali the
powerful sachems Of the Hall sat down
was served In honor Of the scribe. As for
that individual, he believed his fortune
made and saw visions OF future political
preferment and einoluments galore.
But the event proved his bright antici-
pations 20 be entirely beside the truth, for
the publication OF the article raised such
storm Of protest from the Harper con
stituency that he was forthwith blacklist
cd and ever since has been obliR eel 10 sock
other markets for his literary wares
Moreover, the editor who took the article
on, though there were other things against
him, was promptly released from employ
ment.