New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-08
CROKER'.S DEFY TO BRYAN.
HIS AGGRESSIVE CHALLENGE A BOMB
SHE'LL IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAMP
DETERMINATIONS TO PLACE THE ENTIRE TAM
MANY ORGANIZATION AGAINST FREE SILVER
WHAT POLITICIANS SAY AS TO THE


MANY ORGANIZATION AGAINST FREE SILVER
WHAT POLITICIANS SAY AS TO THE
OUTCOME OF TIE FIGHT NOW ON
Richard Croker has rocked the National DEM
ocratic organization to its foundations. His
careful and deliberate statement OF the situa =
ton OF the Democratic party. as furnished to
the papers yesterday regarded by most
Democratic politicians in the city as a defiant
and aggressive challenge to the Democracy Of
the South and West to take up the question Of
National issues with the Democracy Of the East
In his statement Mr. Croker said that he was
speaking as an individual and his views were
to be accepted as SUCH There is not a Demo
cratic leader in the country who will interpret
his words that way. In the last State Conven-
ton Mr.. Croker and his friends were dominant
His attempt to Tammanyze the State failed Of
frution through the defeat Of the ticket whose
nomination he forced. His control Of every de-
partment and wing of the municipal govern
ment Of the enlarged city is unquestioned, and
he proved at the last State Convention that he
was in control Of the State machinery. So the
words OF Mr. Croker are taken by many the
words OF man who can deliver the State dele
gates Of New-York to the next National Demo-
cratic Convention. In this sense his words have
an ominous interest to Democratic politicians.
and seem to foretell factional fight In the
party that may disintegrate it.
Whatever New-Yorks attitude Is In National
Convention or any issue, or whatever candidate
1t may present, the fact is conceded that New
York is big factor. IL not pivotal State. in
the convention or the election. When 1t became
generally known that the Democracy OF New
York. as controlled by Richard Croker. would in
its State Convention nominate a man for Gov
ernor who would not be offensive to the gold
standard men, and would ignore the free silver
issue. Ex-Governor Stone, Of Missouri the
spokesman for William J. Bryan and the De-
mccracy OF the South and West. bitterly de-
nounced Mr.. Croker and his plans. and inti
mated that II this programme were carried out.
the delegates from New-York to the next Ma
tional Convention would be unseated on the
ground OF rregularity. On the other hand,
James X. Jones. chairman Of the National Com
mittee. was more cautious and non-committal.
The plans Of Mr.. Croker were carried out. and
he defied the element that dominated the last
National Convention Of the party.
Since the defeat Of his ticket in the last cleo
ton he has been even more aggressive in his
opposition to the free-silver theories Of the
Bryan Democrats. In defiance of the National
Platform OF his party he elected Perry Belmont
president Of the Democratic Club Mr.. Belmont
ia a gold-standard Democrat. and the election to
this Office is looked upon an especial indorse-
ment by Mr. Croker. Then he opened war on
Joseph Bailey es leader Of the minority in the
House Of Representatives The eliminating
point came yesterday when he issued state
ment declaring free silver to be dead as an issue
and declaring for expansion. This is direct
and violent attack upon Bailey and Bryan and
the dominant factors in the National organiza-
ton who have trimmed their sails 10 anti-eXpah-
sion and free silver.
Many politicians were asking yesterday what
II all meant and what the outcome Of 1t would
he A man close within the confidence of MIR.
Croker said last night: "Mr. Croker believes
that the only way for the party to win IN the
next National election will be to attack the
Republicans on their alleged weak points and
is dead and that expansion Is popular. He
wants to down Bryan and Bailey. and he Will
go to the next National convention and work
against them He will work to have platform
declaring for sound money and expansion Then
he will add as the Democratic issues home rule
and anti-t legislation. This Is the campaign
Of Mr.. Croker and it promises to be a merry
will be successful in reconstructing his party
and starting 1t fresh along new lines"
Republican politicians in this city yesterday
expressed their belief that the statements of Mr.
Croker meant determination to place the en-
tire Tammany organization in opposition to free
silver and Organism and win the favor or the
gold Democrats 80 as to unite the Democratic
party In the State. Mr.. Cookers control Of the
Tammany organization the politicians said, was
so absolute that he could carry II with him so
far as its action at a State convention OF the
party went. but they said they did not believe
Mr.. Croker could keep the party In the STATE
from division on the question or free silver.