New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-26
CROKER CLOSELY GUARDED.
1NrRrNcHED AGAINST QUESTIONS ABOUT
RAMAPO AT PETER F. MEYERS
COUNTRY HOME.

Surrounded by faithful henchmen, guarded by
fierce dogs. and shielded from the possible annoy
ance Of being asked searching questions about the
Famapo water deal Richard Croker Is resting at
the summer home Of his partner. Peter +. Meyer,
at greenwich. Conn. Mr. Crokers disappearance
was chronicled and his discovery was set forth
yesterday in The Tribune. His disappearance came
ut q particulary unfortunate time for him. as It
laid him open to the keenest suspicion as to his
part in the Ramapo water deal Never IN the
memory Of men familiar with politics has Mr..
Croker taken such strong measures to prevent be-
ing seen. There have been times when he would
say nothing but he has never yet put guard
around himself to keep every one out This. In the
minds of many tends to confirm the suspicion that
Mr. Croker knows great deal about the Ramapo
water DEAL and that he Is afraid 10 be questioned
Nothing can be ascertained as TO when he VIII De
back and what his plans are The longer he re-
mains silent however the stronger grows the belief
In the minds Of many that Mr.. Croker Is involved
in the huge Ramapo plot, and that ne Is AFRAID TO
speak or TO be subjected to questions.
While Mr. Croker Is resting Tammany Is being
torn to tatters by fractional struggles and his lead
ership Is seriously threatened. Many Tammany
men are shaking their heads gravely, and saying
that Mr. Croker's silence at this time Is ominous
and that It is hurting him terribly. They say that
the people are growing TO believe he is deeply
involved in this Ramapo water matter. and that
his refusal to discuss 1t is confession of guilt.
The war against his leadership in the organization
is growing each day and spreading TO every dis
trict The most serious struggle IL In the IHth.
where John c. Sheehan and his friends are maxi
ing vigorous fight, which promises to be success
full
In the XXIXth the revolt against Croker, Carroll
and Roln NJ Morgan Is OF a serious aspect and
It Is believed that leader antagonistic TO Mr..
Croker will be elected. UP IN the XXXIst the fight
between welde and Hopper is most bitter and II
Hopper wins another anti-Croker leader win be in
control OF district The last and the most serious
revolt against Croker comes from the district con-
troled by Maurice F. Holahan. Victor J. Bowling
was formerly the leader in this district. but be-
cause he opposed the nomination Of Senator Thorn
as F. Grady for District Attorney Mr.. Croker
arbitrarily ordered that he be overthrown and Mr..
Hoahan be made leader. Bowling has been out
with knife ever since. and taking advantage OF
the Ramapo water deal, which has placed Mr..
Holahan in a bad light the Democrats in the
XXIVth District say they will depose him and
restore Bowling. Bowling is strongly intrenched
rousing fight and he has started out to do It, IL
he and the others win, Sheehan, Hopper. Koch
and bowling would make formidable combina-
tion and could worry Mr.. Croker not a little.
IL was reported last night that Richard Croker
would get into the city some time in the evening
and would go down TO the racetrack to-day TO see
the Futurity run. At the Democratic Club last
nigh: It was said that Mr.. Croker was not there.
and that he had not been heard from