The times., 1899-01-08
CRITICISE CROKBR'S VIEWS
His Stand Oh the Silver Issue
Regarded as Illogical.
SOME DEMOCRATIC OPINIONS
Belief That the Tammnny Leader
Means to Cnusc n split in the
Thrust at Colonel Bryan-May lie
to Defeat His Nomination.

The declaration of Richard Croker,
printed in The Times yesterday, wherein
that gentleman comes out strongly for
expansion and says the silver issue is
dead, was the subject of a great deal of
comment in political circles yesterday,
especially by members Of the House.
There were many views expressed upon
the subject. some claiming that Mr..
Croker is at this early date attempting
10 create discord and renew the old fight
between the Eastern and Western wings
of the party.
There was perhaps more hostility ex-
pressed nj Mr. Croker's assertion that the
cause of the free coinage Of silver is
dead than that relating to his view on
the subject of expansion. Mr.. Croker's
remarks on the death Of silver and the
beauties of expansion did not surprise all
the Democratic members of the House.
He said just what he might have been
expected TO say" said MIR. Bland. He
belongs on the other side anyway. Silver
may be dead enough for him. II proba-
bly, Is. But what he says does not alter
it for the great Democratic party.
i would like TO study his interview
and analyze it before ! say anything,
said Mr. Bailey Il only know of his
remarks by hearsay. But you may be
sure that when the Democratic conven-
tion reverses his decision he viii change
his mind and get back into the fold.
Croker belongs TO the class that he is
indorsing" said Mr.. Simpson. Il sup
pose he thinks there's a chance TO get an
island or two for his own use. Perhaps
he wants TO go over there and establish
another Tammany He ought TO ind
enough tigers over there Of the real
sort Perhaps his class of animals are
not fierce enough in New York. He wants
gore. gore and he'll get all he wants
Representative Hartman of Montana,
discussing the question yesterday morning.
said: The Democratic party may as well
understand that it must stand by free sill
yer or sacrifice the votes of 100000 Popu-
lists and Republicans at the gain of 200 900
Gold Democrats. Mr.. CrOker's suggestions
are not a surprise to anyone who has OBJ
served his course. The true Democratic
faith is best stated in the Chicago platform
and in the speeches made by Colonel
Bryan since his retirement from the army
! cordially indorse the sentiments he has
expressed both on Imperialism and on
money. He declares that the money issue
was paramount and only discussed impe-
rialism because forced to do so by events.
The fact that We are apparently going TO
grab everything grabable only accentuates
the Importance of the money question in
stead of minimizing it,
Representative Dockery of Missouri had
not read Mr.. Crokers Interview, but said
that as a general proposition he was op-
posed to Croker and Crokerism. He IA
vored free silver ard he favored expansion
except as concerned the Philippines. He
did not believe in retiring the first in favor
OF the second.
Representative Livingston of Georgia
said: Mr.. Croker cannot carry out his
idea. There are eleven States still abso-
lutely solid for the free coinage of silver.
whatever Mr.. Crokers State may be. /
agree with him as TO our obligations to the
newly conquered territory. We went in to
free Cuba and We would do the same for
Porto Rico and the Philippines as soon as
their people seem ready for self govern
ment. Until then We ought to retain con-
tfol. Expansion cannot be made the para
mount issue in the next campaign, because
our policy toward the islands will have
been settled before then"
Mr.. Dinsmore OF Arkansas said: Mr..
Croker has divorced himself from me and
from the entire Democratic party by the
stand he has taken. OF course this will be
very sad for Croker but he brought it on
himself. / don't believe there are fifty
Democrats in my district who favor taking
the Philippines. ] have been all over il
and talked with pretty nearly everyone in
it, and IN convinced of this. The whole
stand Of r Croker is utterly absurd"
Those Democrats who favor expansion
were naturally well pleased AT the stand
taken by Mr. Croker. They argued that
be was simply following the path first trod
by Thomas jefferson and the fathers of the
Democratic party. In the opinion of others.
Mr. CrOkers public statement is taken TO
mean that the party in the East is now
mapping out plan of campaign to be
waged against Colonel Bryan for the pur-
pose of defeating him for the nomination
next year.
AS Colonel Bryan has taken the lead in
opposition TO expansion II is thought by
many that he can perhaps be more easily
defeated on the expansion issue than on
the question of the free coinage OF silver.
and with that idea in view Mr.. Croker had
method in starting the expansion ball roll
ing at this particular time.