The age-herald., 1898-02-05
DAVID B. HILLS EXAGGERATED DEATH
RYE. ". RARRETT.


 So spoke Ex-Senator David B. Hill in Washington several days ago. I asked him upon which target his gun was sighted You know there are several; mo- tably governor of New York. senator from New York. and president. Two years from date the presidential convention will be upon us.
 'tNothing to speak of" responded the foxy statesman. 'I am young man yet, you know"
 By the way" he continued, 'T see my friend German has joined the great ma jority of ex's, but down at the senate chamber today observed that affairs are going on about as usual when was here Our old friend Senator Stewart I hear yet makes a few occasional remarks on the crime of '73," and so on. continued the New Yorker in semi-humorous and light vein, keeping off the subject of his future political program.
 His opening words, in response to a bit of good-natured jollying, so to speak, are however, significant. Hill is of deep thought. Speech without thought first never escapes his lips
 Hill is preparing for action. He once told me, six yearsa ago, that he proposed to be president some day. He made a hard fight then and lost. He lost because he only knew New York political methods and because of a tremendous campaign fund used to nominate Cleveland over him. Now Hill is figuring again. He is deving deep down into the existing situation and figures to himself that the democratic party will need New York to elect the next president. To carry New York he figures a New York man must be nomi- mated. Though Hill fought the Chicago platform in the convention of 1896, he is an endorser of 1t now. He declares he has always been 8 free coinageman, but he did not believe 1t policy for the party to make such emphatic declarations at that time were incorporated in the platform. Again he was sent as delegate from New York, and that state in convention had instructed it's delegates. He, there fore, made the contest in accordance with his instructions, and because he did not believe the party could carry New York a state necessary to victory-at that time on that platform. Yet he fulfilled his oft repeated declaration of "I am Demo- crat," by voting for Bryan. He claims not to have sulked.
 HIin figures that if New York proposes an outspoken free silver coinage man. as he will declare himself time hence, to the next democratic convention he will be accepted Provided. of course, said man has properly installed himself in the affec- tions of the delegates selected from the other states. This, latter Hil counts upon doing. He is already showing himself, having left Washington few days ago for a southern visit.
 tIill verify believes that no democrat but a New Yorker can carry that state on a free coinage platform ;. ...s Now HIM delves far into the future He figures that his declarations for free coin age will capture the democracy of the country, especially where he points far back to his Efmira speech of 1890 at which time he declared for free coinage Then he figures that he can carry New York because the great Wall street interests look upon him as very mild type of silver man. He figures these interests will count it that they have the man while the south and west have the platform That's what they had in Cleveland, and Hill would make them believe they will have the same over again in him.
 This is undoubtedly HiE's plan. Hill is a deep schooner. always thought him a good state politician, but a bad national politician. He cannot see well without the boundaries of New York. He would too often attempt to have the New Workers believe him one thing and the southerner or westerner another He would trim too much in his utterances on specific points and be bod to heroism in generalizing.
 But to the programme again. Hill has convinced himself that If New York will put him forward two years hence, as he drafts the plans, he can be the nominee for president and be elected. It is easy to see the stumbling blocks in his way
 The greatest of these to Hills eye just now is in New York.
 Hill would like to be governor next year. That would better place him in position to control the politics of the state and bring him conspicuously before the de- mocracy of the country. Richard Croker is the stumbling block in his way toward the first step. Crolker was Hills fast friend. Today Croker is his sworn enemy. And Croker is unquestionably the ''aIl powerful of the democracy of Greater New York.
 Of the split between Croker and Hill, a short time ago Hill spoke before New York democratic club. It was when Croker was in Europe and not expected to return at all.
 eve are through with leaders," said Hill. "who spend their time in Europe, and who. avoiding honest employment, carry their race horses to England and find their most worthy investments in gambling their money on the English derby"
 Croker heard of it. When he returned last September he met Hill in New York hotel. He went straight to Hills room. What occurred MT. A. H. Lewis, Croker's friend, tells in this wise:
 "fIow do you do. Creker?" quoth Hill, exuberantly shaking Crokers hand before the other could protect 1t from him; "how do you find yourself? Come in; I've got a lot of things to say to you"
 And I came." said Croker, coldly, ito say one thing to you. I came to say that