New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-28
HILL MADE CROKER DO 1T
HOW TASfMANY'S LEADER CAME TO SUP
PORT BIENNIAL SESSIONS.

THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN Is TO VOTE FOR THE
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND so
ROB GOVERNOR BLACK OF AN
ISSUE ON WHICH TO APPEAL
FOR REELECTION
Albany Feb. 81 (SpeciaD.-Richard Crokers
speech at Tammany Hall last night in favor or
biennial sessions of the Legislature caused a
good deal of amusement to-day among Demo-
cratic politicians because of its revelation OF
sudden change OF attitude by Mr.. Croker owing
to pressure from some quarter. That pressure,
I, they said. came from David Il. Hill.
Mr.. Croker. previous to this speech. had been
having the Tammany Hall Senators and Assem-
blymen oppose the Biennial Sessions Amend
ment. Senator Cantor and Senator Grady had
denounced the amendment attempt in the
interest Of corporations to rob the people OF their
right to have yearly meeting OF their represent
atives at Albany. The Democratic Senators
had also voted against the amendment. During
the discussion Of the amendment In the Assem-
bly, the Tammany Hall members had made OBJ
lection to It and had seemed resolved to vote
against 1t.
At this point Mr. Hill is said to have put press
ure upon Croker to compel him to abate his hos
tility to the amendment. Mr.. Hill has been WIS.,
tied Of late by large number Of prominent
Democrats from various parts Of the State. and
after talking with him they have left Albany de-
caring that 'the programme" was TO have the
State contest this fall fought out on State is
sues with an avoidance Of National questions,
especially the silver question
AssEMBLYMEN OUT FOR THE AMENDMENT.
If the Biennial Sessions Amendment should be
passed with the Democrats arrayed against It,
Mr.. Hill saw the party might have State
issue in its path which it would not care to
face. The rural Democrats who are especially
close to Mr.. Hill few days ago began saying
that unless coerced by caucus they would
vote in favor OF the amendment. Such declara-
tions were very forcibly made by Assemblyman
Palmer. OF Schoharie County. and Assemblyman
Van Hoesen OF Cortland County. who un-
douttedly also spoke for Assembymen Vroman
and Tompkins. OF Niagara County; Haight. Of
Monroe County; Brown. OF Rockand Schulz. Of
Orange. and other rural Democrats.
Mr.. Croker thus had the prospect before him
OF seeing the rural Democrats break away from
his alleged leadership. and pass the Biennial
Sessions Amendment in spite OF Tammany Hall
opposition. Elliot Danforth. chairman OF the
Democratic State Committee. came here on
Thursday looked over the situation in the Leg
understood to have carried back to Mr.. Croker
from Mr. Hill a statement that the amend
ment must be killed as campaign is
sue by having the Democrats in the Leg
islature Join the Republicans In support o.
it. This would involve the reputation Of
Senator Cantor and Senator Grady we'll as
Of Mr. Donnelly the Democratic leader in the
Assembly but the flop should be made Gov
ernor Black was striving to make the amend
ment an issue on which he could be reelected
He could be deprived OF 1t by the Democrats
supporting the amendment enthusiastically
as the Republicans.
BELMONT THE Go-BETwEEN.
Ex-Congressman Perry Belmont, 1t Is said,
also had a part in Mr.. Croker's change Of posi-
t,on ON the amendment Mr.. Hill. while in New
York a few days ago, had long talk with Mr..
Belmont on the Biennial Sessions Amendment,
and urged that as a matter Of party policy the
Democrats in the Legislature and elsewhere
should favor IT, Mr.. Belmont Is seeking the
Democratic nomination for Governor, ana, there
fore would appreciate the power OF Mr.. HilIs
argument that Governor Black should not be
permitted to have such good campaign cry as
biennial sessions all to himself Mr.. Belmont is
known to have been in Mr. Croker's company
a little later that same day. and Democratic
politicians here believe II was his influence that
brought Croker around to favorng the amend
ment.
Mr. HILL In his arguments with Democratic
politicians in favor Of biennial sessions. has SAID
that the apportionment Of the Senate and AS
sembly districts was such that the Republican
party. four times out OF five. would prooapiy
win the Legislature. and, therefore. II was 10
the interest OF the Democratic party 10 nave
the Legislature meet as seldom as possible ana
devote the energies OF the Democratic party to
winning the Governorship. the state onlces ana
the Mayoralties Of the cities
The Republican Assemblymen and the rurai
Democrats give the Blennal oesslohs
Amendment a large majority II the IaIndny
the measure In accordance with Crokers own
change Of policy. the amendment VIII nave a,
practically unanimous vote III lts iaNoI ~, Ui,y
four Assembymen, the three Albany county
Republicans and Assemblyman kavanaugn he-
nublican. OF Saratoga County, VIII be against IT,
WHERE TAMMANY COMES IN
Croker is probably reconciled even to a change
q, front on the amendment under humiliating
circumstances by the thought that Win
LEGISLATURE meeting only once In two years
Tarmsnv Hall Mayors and chiefs OF depart
rents IN New-York City will have freer mana
I'm the disposal Of its loose cash. he rrahhiy
said in his speech: Everybody seems TO re-
ioice when the Legislature adtourns' pecauss
there is always something pelns uohe nc @
,hot is detrimental 10 the interests OF the peo-
pIe of this great municipality. 1t matters no'
how great an injustice Is done to US by the pas
sage of bill while its provisions are penehciai
TO some rural section or the state me III, III
forests of the second greatest city In the WORM
are not properly nor fairly considered
II IS an old cry Of Tammany Hall tnat the IN
terference Of "hayseeds' prevents 1t from CIV
;r.r that benefcent and economical government
m New York which the city would otherwise en-
to, But in the year 1902. il the amendment IS
adopted and Tammany Hall once more elects
lis N;:vor IT can govern New-York as II pieases'
TIore will then be no Legislature In session
~ nc. os "warning spectre" against corrupt