New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-09
THE HILL-CROKER FIGHT.
LIKELY TO WORK HAVOC IN THE
STATE DEMOCRACY.
UPSTATE LEADERS SAY THEY ARE ONLY
WORKING TO PREVENT THE STATE
FROM BEING TAMMANYIzED.

FROM BEING TAMMANYIZED.
There Is moro in the bitter denunciation OF ex-
Senator Hill by Richard Croker than mere recrm-
nation so politicians say. and they regard II as
condition that is likely TO work havoc for several
years to come in the Democratic party in the
state Mr. Croker after several weeks OF morose
broodng over what he terms HIS treachery, now
openly accuses the latter of working against the IN
tcrests OF the party up the State Mr. Hill Is 10 De
heard from The conditions are such that In the
estimation Of Democrats who are in a position to
know the workings OF the party machinery a
guerrilla warfare will be carried on between these
chieftains for years come. and the war will be
one which Will result badly for the party. Both
Mr. Croker and Mr. HILL politicians say. are in no
mood for adjusting their differences, and the night
will go OH until OF the other goes down in alb
ject defeat. with every sinew of wasted and
every branch and resource Of his following ex-
hausted.
There is no doubt, according to accepted belief In
political circles that Mr. Hill did Mr. Croker great
deal OF harm last Tuesday Mr. Croker, TO- purpose.
wrested the control Of the State Committee from
Mr.. Hill at the memorable meeting In the Hoffman
House when the two leaders deied each other face
TO face. 1t is known that Croker was urged by ex-
Senator Murphy and others to refrain from show
Ing his hand. They told him the Assembly could
be carried this fall and this would give the Demo-
cratic organization check upon the Republican
Legislature. They pointed out that to antagonizc
ferenty. II IS now declared. and. moreover. he
wanted to nominate his own men for the Assembly
He Is so used TO having the defeated ones accept
their cruel. bow the knee and bend the neck him
boss that he thought. once he overthrow HILL the
latter would turn In and work for the interests Of
the party, said an upstate Democrat yesterday.
Aside from this. he feared that if Hill left
alone he would his own candidates for the
Assembly up the State. and so. even II the Assem-
bly, was still Democratic, he would have to traffic
with liill to do what he wanted in the LEGISLATURE
Taking all things Into considera on he decided to
down HILL name his candidates and boss
things generally
Adopting this policy Mr. Croker started In upon
course Of roughshod tyranny He had the money
and the city. He welded the Kings County delega-
tion TO him through fear OF cutting Off patronage
lie sent his emissaries UP the State and turned
down Hill men for the nominations wherever he
got chance Old time men. such as George W.
Palmer. were toppled over simply because they
were Hill men. Hill had no patronage TO deal out
He had no offices to give. He had money He
nad no administration. municipal, State or Ma
uo n 10 me-, neip nm lie was alone and helpless,
would capitulatc and take what he could get. Mr.
Hi, however was a different stamp OF man
from the Tammany heelers and leaders that Mr.
croker bosses. lie left the meeting. where he had
rrated angry and hurt ' but te r ea,e to hap
much as possible. He went up the State and called
Then dsqaeins reports began to a
in. They came from all sides. They told Il uniform
story OF Croker Murphy dominance and systematic
Hill to cry wolf. The upstate Democrats be-
gan 10 realize themselves that Croker out to
Tammanyizc the State organization and the Legis-
lature, and make every one in the organization in
the State as subservient to him his leaders and
oficeholders are I'm the city
"When Mr.. Hl learned this he came down here
TO see few friends. and he was convinced. He
quietly Withdrew and said nothing. He didn't need
10 say what Mr. Croker him of saying.
He let affairs take their natural course. and the
situation to-day is the natural automatic protest
against Cookers evident policy
Mr. Crokers feelings toward Mr. Hill are well
known He has expressed them from time time.
leader. He fears him and hates him. Perhaps it is
not well known just how Hill regards Croker.
1t is said that in a talk Mr.. Hill had about Mr..
Croker not long he told friend In so many
words that he regarded Croker uncouth vul-
and ignorant
With these facts pointed out by both city and
estimation of the followers of the two men. that
reconciliation will be effected Mr.. Hill still has
great influence up the State. There is strong
feeling there and there has been for years that II
the city ever got control the State could expect
little. For this reason Tammany's encroachment
up the State has always been bitterly resented.
inatinctively align themselves against the Tam
many delegation, and while Mr. Hill Is bla med by
Mr. Croker for the lack of support received by the
| Democratic candidates up the State the upstate
Democratic leaders say Croker Is wrong. They say
that in attacking Mr. Hill he is taking the one maj
who had the least to do with 1t. They point out
that his own actions caused the revolt In the party
up the State. and that this is Of
supporting Hill than It IS of resenting the Incur
sions Of Crokersm, This time, they say. HIS
position happens TO be the position taken naturally
ny all upstate Democrats AS Hill is the recog-
nzed leader up the State Mr.. Croker has made an
attack upon him personally when really nearly
pay and control Of the Croker Murphy combine
would Of his own voliton have done what Mr.. Hnl