The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-14
CROKER FL0PS.
Tammany Boss Returns From
Europe a Strong
Bryan Man.

New York, Aug. 14=Richard Croker
has changed his ideas on two important
national questions. Before starting for
Europe Mr.. Croker was known as an
imperialist. He said that the American
flag should not be hauled down from
the possessions acquired during the
Spanish war. He was also opposed to
William Jennings Bryan as a candidate
for president in 1900.
Croker today declared in strong terms
for Bryan and praised him as one of
the greatest men in the country.
In his interview he denounced Presi-
dent Mckinley and expressed strong
anti-imp erialistic views. Here are some
of his utterances:
at is almost incredible that a presi-
dent of the United States is willing to
desolate and destroy thousands of
homes and shed the blood of poor, IN
fortunate savages to keep himself and
his friends in office. The situation is
shocking from the American stand
point. The strongest men in the Re
publican party have turned their back
on the administration. They are be-
coming disguised with McKinleyism.
1.-THE Democratic party must within
the coming year agree upon national
programme.
Il believe that the party will be uni
ted and harmonious in the campaign.
THE Democratic party should not
split on the silver question. Congress
can be trusted to settle the ratio in
good time.
William J. Bryan's great strength
lies in his sympathy and knowledge of
the plain American people. He under
stands and feels for the toiler, and the
tOiler understands and trusts him. I
consider him one of the greatest men
this country has produced.
In New York city the Democratic
party was never stronger. All the
cheap talk about machine politics has
been swept away. We will carry ev-
erything before US at the fall cleo
tions.'
Going further into a discussion of the
issues, Mr.. Croker says:
THE Republican party has clearly
shown it's unftneSS to be in control of
the national government. The war in
the Philippines has been turned into a
partisan scheme to elect President Nc
Kinley to a second term. The admins
tration has purpoSely dragged out the
struggle and is spending millions of the
peoples money without making any
serious effort to bring the war to
close this year.
THE people are beginning to see
through this. They are paying the war
taxes, and they know what this means.
1.-THE presidential election takes place
next year, and the Republican mana
gers of the Mckinley campaign are
war as means of working up popular
enthusiasm just in time to sweep Mr..
Mckinley into a second term"
Referring in addition to the question
of platform Mr.. Croker explains:
Naturally I am interested in secur-
ing national platform that will be a
source of strength to the party in my
own state. We hope to carry New York
for the Democratic candidate for presi-
dent next year and I am satisfied that
Pothing will be done by the next Dem
ocratic convention that will drive any
good Democrat away from his party. -
The last question disposed of by Mr..
Croker is as to the proposed alliance
between the United States and Great
Britain He said: I am absolutely
opposed to it. Nothing could be worse
than forming the habit of relying on
the friendship of England. We have
nothing to gain by it and everything to
lose"
Mr.. Croker refused to discuss the ac-
ton of William Waldorf Aston in be
coming a subject of Great Britain.
Il suppose you have heard of Judge
Van Wyck's boom for the presidency?'
Mr.. Croker was asked.
mo; that's news. 1 don't care to dis
cusS that matter now