The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-15
Tho Leadership OF tho New York
Democracy.

Tho Leadership OF the New York
Democracy.
Democratic newspapers throughout the
Union arc discussing with much interest
the probable consequences to that party OF
the great and unquestionable increase In
the personal and political power of MI.
CROKER, which was incidental to the
sweeping triumph Of Tammany Hall at the
last election in New York. The question
giving them most concern Is as to the In
fiuence which will be exercised by Mr..
CROKER upon the Democratic policy with
reference to silver coinage and to the sub
stance of the Chicago platform.
Newspapers are assuming generally, that
at least during the two years now remain
ing before the national contest Of 1900,
Mr.. CROKER will be the most powerful
Democratic leader In the State Of New
York, since he will lave behind him the
compact and thoroughly disciplined Tam.
many organization, and about two-ifths of
the total Democratic vote Of the State Is
nthis city. 1t is true that there Is now some
repressed restlessness among individual
members of the organization. both on Man:
uhLJdu bldu Nv ~ uhO DtoohAy oAoeoA
but the interests of the party here are
likely to keep 1t from q troublesome out
break for two years, at least. h city
Democracy will recognize the advantage.
aver the necessity, of keeping together
solidly until the election Of 1900 is over.
and such solidity seems to imply general
acquiescence in Mr.. CRoKER's leadership.
In the nature Of things, holding that place,
he would be of commanding influence in the
Democratic State Convention of this year
and during the momentous campaign which
will succeed 1t.
It is apparent that Ex-Governor HILL does
not regard with favor the growing political
Importance of Mr.. CROKER he even makes
o Jest of the possibility Of the Tammany
chieftain's becoming the Democratic leader
in the State. That Is a place to which he
must naturally regard himself as entitled,
because of his great ability n his long
experience In Its exercise as the New York
Democratic leader; and he expects, OBJ
viously, that natural dislike of rule by the
Democracy Of the new city will induce the
Democracy of the outside State to rebel
against the Croker domination.
The same reason which is likely to keep
tn0 OemOCThUtC Iohko VI IL WY ooiio
hind Mr.. CROKER may operate, however. in
the State also. Tammany having won so
signal a victory in 1897, the Democrats of
tho outside State may concede Its right to
lead in the campaign of this year, or, at
least, yield to Mr.. CRoKER's leadership, as
matter of political expediency.
The course of the Democracy In the late
election regarding the Chicago platform.
adopted under the advice, II not the in
sistence of Tammany, probably will be
followed In the coming campaign likewise,
30 far as possible. The conditions. however,
will not admit of a complete repetition
OF the policy of silence. Last year the
nomination of a candidate for the Court of
Appeals was made by the State Commit
tee Of the Democratic party. This year,
however. there will be a regular State Con-
v~ention, and 1t will be compelled to frame
O platform, and the out-and-out Organizes,
comprising the great bulk of the party,
will resent any attempt at cowardly hedg-
ing regarding the authoritative standard
of Democracy. Mr.. CROKER is not 30 Often
sive to these strict Bryanites as is ex-
Governor HILL. Tammany in 1895 stood
squarely on the Chicago platform.
Nor, 30 far as the Democracy of tho
Union generally are concerned, is there
any doubt that q Democratic delegation
from New York to the National Convention
in 1900, elected under the auspices Of Tam
many. would obey the will of the majority
of the convention, whatever 1t might be,
without question and with entire cordial
ity. Whoever else may ~falter, Tammany is
sure to be regular. It's success in dominat-
ing the party in this State would be, there
fore, as welcome to the Democracy Of the
Union as any obstruction to its progress
offered by Mr.. HILL would be resented.
We observe, too, that Tammany's friends
include both advocates of the
Chicago platform, and Democrats who toll
Grated it only as an obligation of party
regularity. The first look upon Tammany
control as assuring the fidelity of the DEM
ocratic organization of New York to the
destructive currency and socialistic doc
trines they intend to introduce into the new
platform. The others hope that the great
political power concentrated in the hands
of Mr.. CROKER may enabl him to shape
the platform of 1900, 80 that 1t will be less
offensive to them than that of 1896.
In all this maneuvring not even a
shadow of genuine political principle ap-
pears. 1t is all political strategy purely.
So far as it is a game to delude the Bryan
LAsd Democracy mi dinsuade them from