New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-05
MIR. CROKER AND MIR. BRYAN
INTERESTING SITUATION REPORTED IN
THE DEMOCRATIC CLUB.
SOME FRIENDS OF THE LATE CANDIDATE SAID
TO HAVE SUGGESTED HIS ACQUISITION TO
THE CLUB. BUT THE BOSS DOESN'T
SEEM TO TAKE KINDLY TO
THE PROPOSITION

THE PROPOSITION.
There Is all interesting situation, involving
National politics. hinted at In the Democratic
Club Richard Crokers espousal Of the ,lubs
cause has given 1t an Impetus that suddenly
changed II from complete hamilton to almost
hilarious activity. Mr. Croker's scheme is
derstood to be to make the club the great city.
State and National headquarters Of the Demo-
cratic party A complete agreement has been
reached with Hugh Mclaughlin in brooklyn.
Nicholas Muller IN Richmond and John p Mad
den in Queens. by which In return for certain
patronage. the organizations OF Brooklyn. Staten
Island and Long Island city will act a unit
with Tammany Hall in state and National pol
tiles and Tammany's word will be supreme.
The combination built up primarily to
dethrone ex-senator Hill from all power IN the
State. and Mr.. Mclaughlin 10 retain his leader
ship must have his share in the combine. Mr..
Croker wants to 70 to the noxt State convention
and force the nomination Of his canfilltc for
Governor and elect him. With this demons'ra-
tion Of his power in the state, he will so TO the
next National Convention and try 70 dictate the
nomination for President.
Mr.. Croker. thus looking far ahead to the Con-
vention OF 1900 and stretching ont his hand for
stalwart allies. quietly sent word to the prom
inent Democratic leaders in the various States
asking them to become nonresident members
OF the organization. one Of the first 10 accept
was Senator German OF Maryland. Ex-senator
Brlce. of Ohio; Daniel y. Campo of MchiS IN;
william f. Harrity and John b. Guffey. of Penn
syvania Ex-Governor Campbell. Of ohio and
others are said to have been invited to come in.
Then along came some who proposed Will
lam j. Bryan. Mr.. Bryan did not make per
sonal application. but William Suzer is said to
be one OF those who wished 10 get DIr. Bryan In
the club. Bryans name has not been posted but
his friends have gone TO Mr.. Croker and said in
substance: You are inviting Democratic leaders
OF the country TO come into the club. Mr.. Bryan
Is the greatest leader He was our standard
bearer last year. VIII you permit his name TO
be acted upon favorably if it is presented"
Mr.. Croker has made no reply to this question.
II he refuses TO accept Mr. Bryan 1t will be IN
terpreted by politicians all over the country as
a repudiatiOn OF Mr. Bryan, and Will be detr-
mental TO his campaign for denomination in
1900. II he takes him in It Will be looked upon
as an advantage TO Bryan and create the I'm
preston that Croker IL willing to help him. The
delicacy Of Mr.. Crokers position can be readily
seen.
1T would have been undignifed' said one OF
Bryans friends yesterday, for Mr.. Bryan TO
make personal application for membership in
the club. His friends desired 10 post his name
and. knowing the peculiar condition Of affairs
IL was tnOuSnt pest 10 consult Win the proper
committee before doing so. This IS not unusual
1t is done in every club, so that in Of any
objection 10 the member proposed the name
be quietly withdrawn and all gossip saved.
We don't know yet whether Mr.. Croker will
accept Mr.. Bryan, but We hope 10 have him
upon the nonresident list Of the club. well
as Senator German and other Democrats Of
National chnrr cteT"
Richard Croker was seen at the Democratic
Club last night, and when asked II Mr. Bryan
had been suggested for membership In the
club, said abruptly:
Where did you hear that?"
When told that II came from friends OF Mr.
Bryan. he said shortly:
II haven't heard OF it. don't know anything
about IT,"
Jefferson NJ. Levy. who is a member Of the
Board Of Governors, and warm friend OF Mr.
Croker said:
Il don't know anything about II. Mr. Bryan.
10 become n member OF tn club must make
application. When he has done that through
the regular channels 1t WIFI be time enough
to speak about the matter. SO far as | know
he hasn't done so yet. His name isn't on the
list of applicants"