The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-01-14
hill FALLS
IN Line.
Makes a Bold Move to Regain
His Lost Leadership.
81 VOTED FOR BRYAN''-HE ADDS
THIS STARTLING EpIGRAM TO
~ AM "A .DEMoCRAT''-HE DE-
NOUNCEs ALL BoLTERS AND
DECLARES THAT CROKER FLED
TO EUROPE TO AVOID IAN
ISSUE.

New York, Jan. 13.-David b. Hill
proposes to oppose Richard Crocker for
the control of the State and in the cleo
ton of the next governor of New York.
He proposes to regain the leadership of
the regular Democrats, of the Chicago
platform Democrats, of the Silver Demo-
Gratis of the party. And by the bold and
abrupt nnouncement that he himself is
and was in 1896 loyal Democrat, he
hopes to cover Richard Crocker with con-
fusion.
This coup d'etat planned by the former
Senator during his recent visit to New
York was disclosed yesterday with his
sanction, by his confidential friends aud
advisers. No bigger stone has been thrown
into the frog pond of State politics for
many u month.
That the erstwhile recluse of Wolfcrt's
Roost should lay his hand upon his heart
and say, 81, David bennett Hill. voted
for Bryan, and l don't care who knows
it," is enough to rob those of their breath
who have been chanting n dirge over him
as moribund statesman and plotting to
seize the power from his nerveless hands.
The author of the cry, 81 am. Demo
crat" says in effect: lam Democrat
still. l am no deserter, no traitor, re
gold bug, stool by the Chicago plat
form at the polls-although. to he sure,
didn't say anything about it-and /
stand for the regular Democracy now,
against those who abandoned the cause
in 1892
More specifically and more signif-
cantiy. Mr.. Hill says to the Democrats of
the State
"Your candidates for governor and
United States Senator must be men who
fought tor the Chicago platform in 1896.
understand that Mr.. Croker and his
friends are planning to nominate candi-
dates who boltad both ticket and plat
form. Mr.. Croker himself fled the coun-
try to evade the issue of that election
Such is the man who is reaching, out for
the control OF the Democracy of the EN-
pre STATED Perry Belmont and Jacob A.
Cantor, both of whom be is grooming for
the gnbernatoripl race. are out and out,
uncompromisinR, bitter coldbugs, who
helped to defeat the candidate OF their
party
Mr.. Hill was asked ,hy his friends to
name the man he would prefer for the
governorship, but he would not commit
himself to that extent.
THAT must wait till the fall he said.
SPONTANEOUSLY. January ,is no time for
indicating such preferences"
But in the course of general converse
ton the former Senator spoke in high
term Of Judge Robert G.. Titus OF Erie:
Natioual Committeeman Frank Camp-
bell, of Steuben; State Chairman Elliott
DanfCrth and others whose loyalty to the
party in 1896 was unquestioned.
In regard to John b. Stunchiield, who
had been reputed to he Mr.. Hits choice
for the head OF the ticket next fall, one
of the leaders, friends ventured to remind
him that Mr.. Stanchfield had refused to
preside at Bryan NEE ting.
"Much as l might like TtanchGeld,'
David b. Hill is reported to have replied
"if it is established that he was Il traitor
to the Chicago platform, he need not ex-
pect my support"
but you yourself" he was reminded,
were accused of having bolted the Chi
cago nominees and platfor ~
at is true" replied Mr.. Hill, "that
took no active part in the presidential
canvass of 1896, hut .oled the straight
Democratic ticket just the same
Hill has been working secretly, bat
strenuously.to recover his leadership ever
since the presidential election. While
Croker has been inviting former friends
of his throughout the State to Join the
Democratic club, the man OF Wolfert's
Roost has had either personal or written
communication with nearly all the coun.
ty leaders who were once his devoted fol-
lowers. And if he had not felt that his
position was strong one it is not likely
that he would have AT thorized his friends
here to disclose his plans for the future.
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