Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-14
CONVERTED BY REED
Explanation Of Croker's Anti-Expan-
sion Views.
UJO DrnT 4 n bmTON nm nDukn
lis DECLARATION FOR BRYAN
How This is Accounted for by
His Friends.
TIL E ACCEPTED THEORY

The impression here is that Croker is a
convert of ax-Speaker Reed the ex
pansion question. Reed is one OF the orig
inal lanti-expansionists. beginning with op
position to the annexation of Hawaii. His
principal argument has always been based
on the theory that annexation meant the
absorption of an undesirable population,
and that it was inconsistent with the pub
lie demand for restrictive immigration
laws.
The new views attributed to the convert
ed Croker are in line with those of Reed,
his argument bearing the earmarks of the
Maine man. Coming back to America on
tha same steamer, and being thrown to-
sether, as both confess they were, to a
greater or less extent, it is not regarded
as surprising that Reed should impress the
New York boss with MS views. This i'm
preston might be the more easily made by
reason OF the fact that Croker probably
sees IN Reed Il man destined TO be a power
IN New \ ork politics in the near future.
oroker mas always had a theory about cul-
lVatlng the friendship of the boss OF the
other party. He ana Piatt have had a
pretty good understanding, ANA ne is likely
70 Try 10 reach an understanding with
Reed, since he is to move. to New York
There is no speedier way to get a mans
coilliience than to be converted by him.
IhlS consideration may have made an easy
convert of Mr.. Croker
Tine suggestion that Mr. eed NAV not 90
TO New ork, but may yet decide to remain
in Congress- is not credited by people who
know him and are familiar with his meth
DDS.
HIS Declaration for Bryan.
Crokers declaration for Bryan however,
can hardly be credited to the influence of
MY. heed, though The discovery of how
earnestly Reed disapproves OF the policy of
the Mckinley administration may have in
spred a belief in the mind of Croker that
Mchlnley codld be defeated by whatever
SahIlaate The democrats might nominate.
such a belief would hasten Croker TO ma Ike
TRENDS with the man whose nomination he
thought was inevitable.
But TINS declaration for Bryan is new
only III It's public character. Several
months ago he declared to some very
earnest supporters OF Bryan that he
regarded Bryan as d great man and was as
friendly to him any one. Since that on
several occasions he has declared privately
ms loyalty to Bryan and intImated that
Bryan would have the New York deIega-
ilon at the democratic national convention
ne bryan people, as rule, have not put
Hluch laith IN these proteStatlons, but have
ieaiu nc 81 .Aeil with Il tongue in the cheek
"iiu @ asked it, each other susp:cIously what it
was likely Croker was up 20. 1t was pretty
nara Tor them To believe that Croker was
sincerely friendly to Bryan, and they still
nave their doubts.
The Accepted Theory.
The most generally accepted theory is
that the Tammany boss recognizes thai
Bryan is going to be the nominee and that
regularity will mean loyalty to Bryan. By
beng quick to see this and to accent If
lan1many will be in position to claim re-
ward III power in the possible event of
Bryan beng elected President and will
not suffer any heartbreaking pangs if he
is defeated.
II Is imagined that Croker gets this idea
from the toutS at the race track He gives
staight tip for "a long shot; if il wins
he Will claim reward il it ioses-as he
eApects-he IS not anything out of pocket.