The times., 1899-08-14
RICHARD cRoKER's VIEWS.
He Experiences Change of Senti-
ment While in Eurone

L
| New York. Aug. 13.-Richard Croker re-
| turned home from Europe yesterday with
changed political views. He went away
opposed unalterably to Bryan's renomina.
ton. He returns and declares Bryan to be
a great leader. and practically comes out
for him. Mr.. Croker went away an en-
thusiastic expansionist. and before going
gave out a strong interview in favor of
progress. He Games back denouncing the
war in the Philippines. The political SOM.
'ersaults astonished his friends. He gave
out his statement at the Democratic Club
last night, and then declined to discuss
| it or his quick change of base.
Mr.. Croker refused 10 discuss his change
of mind when seen at the Democratic Club
last night, Those are my views,' he said.
land | have nothing to add or to detract. -
How about Mr.. Sheehan's fight in the
Ninth distriet2. was asked.
"Once and for ALL said Mr. Croker en-
phaticaliy, "let me say that what Mr.. Shee-
han does or says does not affect me. | shall
never reply to him. If the people of the
district want that kind of a man for lead
er all right. If they do not, all right.
Whomsoeyer they elect will be recognized
by the organization, and | shall not inter-
fere.'
Mr.. Croker will leave for Saratoga on
Tuesday, TO remain about two weeks.
In his formal interview Mr.. Croker takes
up Mr.. Bryan at the start and says: Mr.
Bryans great strength lies in his sympathy
for and knowledge of the plain people.
No other American has ever been so close
to the masses. He understands and feels
for the toiler and the toiler understands
and trusts him. I-consider him to be one
of ba tecf haS nraducad
Within thes coming year the Democratic
party must agree upon its national pro-
gramme and prepare for the overthrow OF
trusts and Imperialism. | believe that the
party will be united and harmonious.
'NaturalliyiI Il am principally interested
In securing national platform that viii
be a source of strength to the party in my
own State We hope to carry New York
for the Democratic candidate next year.
am satisfied that nothing will be done by
the next Democratic National Convention
that will drive any good Democrat away
from his party. This silver question will
be regulated in time, and Congress may be
safely trusted to settle the ratio.
There never has been time in my ex-
perience when the Republican party has SO
clearly shown its unfitness to be in con-
troll of the National Government. Mr.. Nc
Kinley has turned the war in the Philip
pines into partisan scheme for his own
ELECTION. The Administration has pur-
posely dragged out the struggle, and is
spending tens of millions OF the peoples
money without making any serious effort
to bring the war to close this year.
This Presidential election takes place
next year and the Republican managers
are openly making preparations to use the
war as a means of working up another
outburst of popular enthusiasm just in
time to sweep Mr.. Mckinley into a second
term.
But the people who are paying the war
taxes are beginning to see through the
plan. 1t is almost incredible that a Presi-
dent of the United States is willing to
desolate and destroy thousands of homes
and to shed the blood of the unfortunate
Filipinos chiefly to keep himself and his
friends in office; but the facts are plain to
be seen by every right thinking man.
The situation is SO shocking, SO inde-
cent from the ordinary American stand
point that Thousands of Republicans are
turning away from McKinleyism in dis
gust. The strongest men in the party have
turned their backs on the Administration.
s1n New York city the party was never
stronger, We will carry all before US this
fall. The metropolis is thoroughly Demo-
cratic The cheap talk about machine poll
tics has lost its force.
Every great public Improvement ac-
complished in New York-good streets,
underground wires, extension of the dock
system, the great Croton aqueduct, the new
courts, new parks. low taxes, the Harlem
yiaduct, the Kingsbridge Bridge, the
Speedway, the pleasure docks for the peo-
ple-is the direct result of machine poll
tics. | fail to see anything accomplished
by the so-called reformers while they have
been in power within the last fifteen years.
Zone of the most childish and foolish
ideas advanced by the 'reformers' is that
organization is not necessary to achieve
substantial results. A business house is
a machine, a church Is machine. a bank
is a machine, a newspaper is a machine.
The more perfect the machine the more good
ii can accomplish for the community. Dis
appointed men use the word machine to
stigmatize the regular political organiza-
tions of both parties and to create preju-
dice against politicians.
Has your racing this year been profita-
biee" Mr.. Croker was asked.
Yes, about as usual. / don't really do
much, however. AS you know. I've only
half a dozen racers
Are you returning earlier this year than
usual?"
mo, about the same time. I've been
away since April.
49, You expect, to. return next year,"
certainly. 1 nave tnat mousse near want
age on lease. and most of my time while
abroad is spent there. This year l enjoyed
my vacation thoroughly. The weather was
fine, and didn't bother myself with poll
tics of any kind"
''Of course you went to the House OF
Commons occasionally"
Haven't been there at all this year
Went last year with T. P. O'Connor. NJ. P.
Mr. Croker said that he had not paid
much attention to the ownership and man
agement of street railroads by British mu-
inequalities When it was explained to him
that under this system in Glasgow the fares
had been lowered, the wages of employees
increased voluntarily, and bigger profits
than ever made. he remarked with en-
phasis: That's good"