The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-15
cnoKrn.s cHANGE or BASE.

CROkER'S CHANGE OF BASE.
The most surprising thing IN the word
of politics is the radical change which has
taken place M the opinions of Mr.. Croker
in two important particulars within thc
las, two or three months. When ne left
New York for England in the early part
of the Summer it was wei known that he
had very llttle use for Mr.. Bryan and he
gave out an interview in which he deelar-
"a uat lie was In favor Of retaining pos
session Of the Philippines under any and
all circumstances IN other words, he as
serted that he was an expansionist for
whom imperialism had no terrors.
When he arrived home last Saturday he
declared that he regarded Mr.. Bryan as
one OF the greatest men this country has
ever produced He said that Mr.. Bryan
understood the toIling masses and got
nearer to them than any other man, and
that his sympathy for the plain people
made him one Of the most popular public
men that ever occupied place in the po-
Hucai history Of the country.
He refused to say why he had ceased to
De an cXpans.onist. He simply gave IL out
that his views in respect 70 the Philippines
had undergone a complete change. He re,
CARDS it an outrage that the war against
the Flipnos is continued. lie thinks-at
least he says he does-that the President
Is using the war for the purpose of havins
himself reelected next year. According 70
Mr.. Croker he win let Tho war drag along
until an opportune time next year when
he will promptly bring # 10 an end with
the expectation that the enthusiasm which
win thus be aroused Will be sufficient TO
rs-elect him President
Mr.. Croker will he given little rest until
he explains why his views respecting Mr..
Bryan and imperialism have undergone
such a remarkable change in so short
time. Did the fact that the name of Mr..
BRYAN was heartily cheered at the Tam
many Fourth of July celebration have any
effect on him? Has he found it necessary
TO be a supporter of Mr. Bryan 10 retain
his hold on Tammany? And in order to en-
roll himself gracefully under the Bryan
banner has he been compelled to accept
Nj. Bryan's views on the Philippine ques-
ton?
But there is one question on which he
ana MT. Bryan are tlOl YET III tOutii am
that is the question Of silver. Mr.. Croker
has very little to say about that question.
The inference from what he does say is
that d demand for free silver coinage will
be made in the Democratic national plat
form, but nothing win be said about the
ratio-that is, If he is permitted to have
his way in making the platform. lie talks
| as if the Democratic party had about con
cludod to leave the settlement of the ques-
ton Of ratio to Congress.
If MIR. Croker thinks that Mr.. Bryan
viii consent TO leaving the Is to idea out
of the platform he doesn't know the man.
Besides, Mr.. Bryan couldn't consistently
accept the nomination if the platform
didn't contain mention of the 16 to
ratio.
Evidently the political situation doesn
| suit Mr. Croker-that is the poftical sit
! uation in New York Things have hap
pened there within the last few weeks
which amount to a warning to him that
unless he manages very shrewdly he will
cease to be the head of the Tammany or
ganization. It is this warning probably
| that has had much to do with causing him
to change his position on the two forego-
| ing important questions.