The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-29
Mr.. SHEEHAN VS.. Mr.. CROKER.
THE FORMER FOR FREE SILVER
AND AGAINST EXPANSION.
Tammnny Chiefs Former Deputy
Out in Direct oppositio" TO His
Recently Expressed Principles.
from the New York Sun, January 10.

From the New York Sun, January 10.
John c. Sheehan, the leader oil the
Tammany forces in the Ninth assembly
district, who up to the fall of 1897 was
Richard Crokers deputy in the councils of
Tammany, made a statement yesterday in
which he declared that he was opposed to
National expansion, and that he still sup
ported William j. Bryan and free silver.
In view of the interview given out by
Mr.. Croker two weeks ago in which he in
dorsed the policy of expansion and said
that free silver was dead as a political is
sue, Mr. Sheehan's declaration caused some
talk among Tammany men, who said that
, no district leader would fly in the face of
the leader of the organization unless he
was prepared to make fight for his poiit-
icol life. Mr.. Sheehans views were en-
pressed thus:
u am opposed to expansion. l do not be-
lieve In acquiring territory in the Eastern
Hemisphere, 5000 miles or more away from
our own shores. | do not believe in the
wisdom of splitting The blood and wasting
the money of the American people in the
benevolent assimilation OF the savages of
the Philippines
y have no apology to offer for support
ing VIM. j Bryan and the Chicago plat
form In 1896, Bryan Is a great democrat
ana patriotic American, and there can be
no question of the respect and regard in
which he is held by the great masses OF
the American people. The platform OF the
democratic party is good enough for me-
and no matter what IL may be, VIII receive
sNch support as can give TO It,"
Two years ago Mr.. sheehan was regarded
as Mi Cookers right hand man. While
l.. in s-t
represented him in the Fourteenth Street
wiswam, having control of the whole Tam
many organization He ran the machine
50 satisfactorily that many of his friends
urged him to 60 ahead and organize a fac
tion TO depose Croker. They told him that
sroker had deserted the machine in the
hour OF danger and that the rank and Ale
OF the party would gladly follow him in a
neht against the chief. Mr.. Sheehan was
popular personally among the leaders and
inc members OF the general committee. and
many thought that he would ultimately
force Mr.. Croker TO retire.
When the time came TO omen the ram,
paign for the first election in the present
Guy OF New York Mr. Croker returned
from Europe and IL soon became evident
inst ne was still master OF the machine
ana tnat his power had not been weakened
ny MS absence from this country He heard
me talk OF sheehan as leader. That shee-
;n,a ~, 80 .nyukn, OF working himself
NV, NV, mr. orokers place is disputed. His
friends say that he was always loyal 10
his chief, Others say that he was treach-
circus. Whatever the fact may have been.
ne was turned down without question. Mr..
croker preferred to be surrounded by men
whose Loyalty had never been questioned.
~ Was ieit out alcng with james j. Mar
~, ~ as sa otner district leaders when
the offices were divided IN AT Lakewood In
december 1897. and his supporters found
out that he was CT little assistance 10 them
eminent w ~ eV'-
Ininss reached such pass that In the
NJ ~ 1888 an effort ives made TO Dust
proved unsuccessful Before the meeting Of
rs general committee of The district !,
vnlch 10 was Ss-elActsd, his orpc MT saH