New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-24
REVOLT IN TAMMANY.
SOME OF THE OLD MEMBERS RESENT
ING THEIR TREATMENT By CROKER.
FRIENDS OF BRYAN IN THE ORGANIZATION
SAID TO BE MORE NUMEROUS THAN
THE CHIEF SUPPOSES.


THE CHIEF sUPPOsEs.
The strides made by the Bryan Democrats IN
their preparation for n big dinner to honor the
memory of Thomas jefferson, and incidentally
to give William J. Bryan and other great
Democrats-great as measured by the chicago
platform-opportunity to appear and speak
have apparently annoyed Richard Croker ana
the members Of the Democratic Club. Mr.. Gro
ker and his friends say they were the pioneers
IN this movement for dinner and they do not
like the idea of having their feast thrown into
the background by the other dinner. Mr. Cro-
ker. therefore. has bravely announced that the
applications for seats at his dinner have far ex-
ceeded the supply. and that IL has been neces-
sary to limit the number of tickets. He Is usu-
ally not inclined to talk, but he has gone out OF
his way this time to get this information in the
papers. Just how this wild scramble FOR
tickets was accomplished was told yesterday by
a Democratic office-holder. He said that Mr..
Croker had sent around to many ofice-hoders
tickets for this dinner marked "unreturnable"
Some received as many as iive tickets, and In
closed with them was polite request please to
remit" 1t is said those who received the tickets
RENTED for fear of incurring the chiefs dis
pleasure.
In tne mean time all is not serene III lam
many Hall, even If Mr.. Croker Is saying it Is
and is praisny his harmony dinner. There is
a sullen and silent rebellion in the organization
upon the part OF some Of the oldest and most
influential men IN the Wigwam. and a serious
revolt against Mr.. Croker's leadership may
break out at any time. 1t is broadly intimated
that II Mr.. Croker continues to oppose Bryan
and the National platform a large and important
faction in Tammany Hall will break away from
his control and openly espouse the cause Of the
silver man and the Democrats who stand by the
Chicago platform. Among those named as
likely TO lead in the movement are the city
Chamberlain. Patrick keenan,; Lawrence Del
mour John M'Quade and others. John c. Shee-
han, James J. Martin and others who have been
turned down" form the nucleus of a good op
position faction and. aided by such strong men
as those named. in the opinion OF many would
be able to give Mr. Croker hard battle for con-
troll Of the organization. All OF these men are
old and practical politicians. and have had
life-training in Tammany Hail. They
loyal to Croker in his struggle with John c.
Sheehan. but now they are bitter over the treat
ment they have received in the Democratic
Club.
The trouble has been brewing for months.
II started when these old-time leaders were
forced to pass Tammany Hall and go up Fifth
ave. to the chief They went with their
business suits on and found Croker in evening
clothes surrounded by men whose faces were
unfamiliar men who looked down superciliously
upon the old veterans and intimated to them
that the Democratic Club was a club of gentle
men, and that ward workers in everyday
clothes were not welcome When they tried to
talk to Croker they found It hard to get him
hpi Jefferson
NJ. Levy and others who came. into Tammany
Hall after the election of 1891 They were also
told by Mr. Croker that If they came to the club
in the evening they must wear evening clothes
They were not accustomed to putting on dress
suits to visit the clubs in their districts. and 50
they kept away from the Democratic Club save
when IT was imperative for them to go there.
When Augustus w. Peters died as he was
from Delmour's district the latter thought he
would have the right to name his successor. He
was ignored. and Coogan was chosen. Keenan,
and McQuade have received similar treatment
These men helped TO elevate Richard Croker
to the position he holds. and they feel bitter
over his payment to them. They are unalter-
ably opposed to repudlating any National pat
form OF the party, and it is believed that when
BRYAN comes here next month many men In
Tammany Hall will meet and talk with nlm'
and that even Mr.. Croker will be amazed at the
demonstration which will be made in his honor
by the rank and file Of Tammany Hal. There
IS trouble brewing, and several influential men
i'm Tammany Hall are predicting a fierce fac
tlonal fight unless Mr.. Croker deserts the new
friends TO whom he has turned. and gives up
his fight against the National platform and Ma
tional organization Of the party.
To Perry Belmont president OF the Demo
cratic Club. was shown interview last night
in which Senator Teller. Of Colorado, was quot
ed as saying that the members Of the Demo-
cratic Club are Republicans masquerading
under Democratic colors."
Mr. Belmont in reply issued the following
written statement: Senator Teller is the leader
OF the Silver Republicans. the allies OF Mr..
Bryan, uphodng with him the Chicago plat
form. and naturally uniting with him in his
purpose 10 create dscord and division in the
ranks Of the Democratic party