New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-09
CkOkERS WAR ON HILL.
THE FORMER TRYING TO FORCE THE
LATTERS HAND.
QUESTION OF CONVENTION DATE TO BE SETTLED
CROKER TELEPHONES TO DANFORTH-
DEVERY CoNFERs WITH THE
DEMOCRATIC LEADER
DEMOCRATIC LEADER.


saratoga, n. Y, Aug. S-Richard Croker at
tended the Saratoga races to-day and thereby
'h"lcated his Indifference TO David b. Hills
sneering remark that the Democratic party did
not intend "to seek its leaders on the race
tracl:"
This remark. made by Mr. Hill while Mr.
Croker was in England. apparently the latter
cannot forgive. ana his lieutenants take great
pains that he shall not forget It, Most of them
were ground under Mr. Hills iron heel when
he was Governor and the Democratic "boss' Of
the State. and therefore have private desires for
vengeance which must be appeased
But aside from this remark Mr. Croker thinks
he has ample reason for detesting Mr. HILL In
the fact that the latter attempted through John
c. Sheehan. to deprive him Of his position Of
boss in New-York Now Croker is seeking to
deprive Hill of all influence over the men who
control the machinery Of the Democratic party
in the State
Both Hill and Croker desire to be the master
of the Democratic State Committee in this State
for the next two years. with the far-seeing pur-
pose OF gaining possession through it's influence
or majority Of the New York delegates To the
Democratic National Convention Of 1900 Which
ever man dominates the Democratic candidate
for Governor this fall will also gain vast polit-
ical strength, and especially so II the candidate
should happen to be elected The Democrat who
should be elected Governor this fall in this
State would undoubtedly be a candidate for
the Democratic nomination for President In
1900, and this circumstance obviously Is al
ready thought Of by Mr. Hi and Mr. Croker
TRYING TO FORCE HILLS HAND
Croker to-day decided to attempt to force Mr.
Hill to disclose his intentions regarding the
meeting Of the Democratic State Committee and
the time Of holding the Democratic State Con-
vention. Possibly this plan has for its main
purpose test of Mr.. HIS strength among the
members Of the Democratic State Committee
For two years past Mr.. HIS friends have been
declaring that in 1896 he shrewdly packed the
committee with close friends Of his own.
This boast was apparently shown to be true
when two years ago Mr.. Hi persuaded the
committee not TO demand the declination by
John Boyd Thatcher Of the Democratic nomina-
ton for Governor. Thacher did decline the NOM
inaton later, but spared the humiliation.
through HIS action. Of being forced into TAX
ing this position Mr.. Hill also succeeded In per-
suadng the Democratic State Committee TO
nominate his intimate friend. Alton B. Parker.
for Judge of the Court Of Appeals Thus twice
since the selection of the Democratic State Com
mittee in 1896 Mr. Hill has demonstrated his
strength in the committee.
Whether he can maintain a firm hold upon the
committee. in the face Of Tammany Halls offers
OF patronage, is yet to be made clear. great
many politicians who are acquainted with the
spirit Of modern politics have expressed doubts
about il. Yet IL must he remembered that the
Democratic State Committee is constituted on
the lines Of the fifty Senate districts, and there
fore q majority Of It's members come from rural
New-York. which for years has been the strong
hold Of Mr.. Hill in the Democratic party.
PATRONAGE MAY BE THE POWER.
Nevertheless even the rural Democrat is not
insensible to the attractions OF patronage. Mr..
Hill has nothing to give" said a Democratic
politician this afternoon. while Mr.. Croker has
the patronage OF the mightiest city on the con-
tnent at his disposal. 1t Is obviously easy.
therefore. to tell what will be the conclusion OF
the contest between the two men"
Mr. Crokers method OF forcing Mr.. IIs
hand Is to demand a meeting OF the Demo-
cratic State Committee at an early date, and
the settlement OF tho question Of the time and
place for holding the Democratic State Con-
vention at that meeting. Croker desires "late
convention" one held about October !. while
Hill has been understood 10 favor an early
convention" one held about the middle OF sep
TENDER Croker thus directly challenges Hill
that lately Mr. Hill seems TO have abated his
keen desire for an early convention and 10
b. awaiting the action Of the Republican State
Committee.
Hill always has had desire to sec the cards
Of his opponents, and therefore may agree with
Croker that the Democrats should hold their
convention after the Republicans have held
theirs The Republican State Convention. 1t
has been stated lately by benjamin b. Odell
IT,, chairman Of the Republican state COM
mittce would probably be held In Saratoga on
September % If held on October a. therefore,
tho Democratic State Convention would be held
a week later.
TELEPHONING TO DANFoRTH
The work of forcing Mr.. HIS hand was be-
gun by Croker through the medium or n long
distance telephone. He gained access thus 10
the ear of Elliot Danforth. chairman OF the
Democratic State Committee at Nor"ich
Chenango County. and asked him 70 cal
meeting Of the Democratic State Committee
for Saratoga Saturday next. The reason
given that he Croker desired shot ~ -
accompany Maurice Untermyer to his Adiron-
dock lodge and have three weeks outing IN
the North Woods. and also desired 10 at.eno
the meeting Of the Democratic STATE OoNh-
mttec . ,,,,,rhoa h,,
Mr. Danforth seemed to be much disturbed ny
,he request and said he would like TO think
over the proposal. Uhdoup'eDly ne !" 2imI y,
talk over the subject with Davi1 b' mn a.
Tnrroa ndie- blythe Sea. Nevertheless since he
is candidate for the Democratic nomination
for Governor. he could not positively decline to
grant Croker'S req iest -, -,
~ a.. want time 10 consider your proposal" sub
stantiaily said Danfcrth , ..o.
All right" answered Croker in substance;
.niv wish YOU would meet John f. Carroh
',.; WI tomorrow and listen TO what he
has Ia to say further from me on this subject"
Danforth did not think it prudent to Teruse
md III
til n9 oi, at Danforths office, No. 300 Broad
wav New-York tomorrow morning ana
Croker's ultimatum will be presented by Earroil.
There were indications In )anio,'h an 49,