The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-15
CROKER ON THE STAND
He Is Subjected to a Remarkable
Examination.
SPOILS FOR THE WCTORS
Tammany's Theory Propoupded With
out ANY Glossing-Workingf for His
Own Pocket - Never Took q
Dollar From the City.

was on the stand to-day before the
Mazet Investigating commission and he
will be on the stand again Tomorrow
John F. Carroll, the Tammany leaders,
chief deputy, was also put through a
course of questions this afternoon.
Judge Joseph E. DAILY, whom the DEM
Ocrats refused to re-nomnate for JUS
tice of the supreme court last fall, told
of his treatment by MIR. Croker and
witnesses, contributed testimony that
went to make the day most notable
one in the investigation into the city's
affairs
The examina ton of Richard Croker
was a remarkable one chiefly by reason
of the answers which he returned 10
the questions propounded to him by Mr..
Moss. He was brief and took advant-
age of many opportunities afforded him
to retort in a manner that evoked ap-
plause many times from those gathered
in the committee room.
Mr.. Croker gave events some
what dramatic turn when. after refus-
ing to answer several questions con-
cerning his private affairs he held up
his right hand and said impressively:
IF you can show me where l have
taken IA single dollar from this city,
you can cut that arm off.
The Tammany chief went on the
stand at the beginning of the days
session.
You live at the Democratic club do
you not?" asked Mr.. Moss.
Yes, sir" said Croker.
You are the leader Of the political
organization known as Tammany Hall,
are you nOt?'
Il don't know that l am.
Generally considered to be, are you
not?" asked Moss.
"Well,' said Croker. Il amt talking
for myself If others say I am, l am"
Croker agreed with Moss that the
government of the city and county de-
pended upon political Parties. .-.
Moss had asked Croker a number of
seemingly immateral questions re-
garding Tammany Hall. when Croker
interrupted and said: It's not neces-
sary to bring up all that which every
body knows. There is no use playing to
the galleries. We all know everything
that has been said we know that I am
the leader of the party and that all
these people are my friends, and that
/ am going to stick to them all the
time
There was a roar of applause as Gro
ker finished this sentence.
Just give me a good straight talk
said Croker, when the applause ceased.
THAT is all I want. All these gentle
men know / am considered the leader.
You have taken half an hour for moth
ing
Croker said he gave prominent Tam
many Hall democrats a certain amount
of advice and direction. Sometimes
they followed it, and sometimes they
did not.
Mr.. Croker admitted that he had been
consulted regarding the selection of
men for positions in the city govern
ment, but denied that he had dictated
appointments. He conceded the propo-
stion that he had probably greater in
fluence with the municipal admnistra-
ton than any other citizen. He was a
believer in the theory that the party
in power should have the offices He
| had interested himself in the Amster-
| dam avenue and Astoria gas questions
| because the peoples rights were in
voved and he had notified the Tam
| many members of the municipal assem-
| bly, to attend sessions and vote on the
| questions because it was their duty tC
| do so He could tell nothing about
| contributors to campaign funds anG
rendered no account to the finance COM
| mittee of Tammany, of which commit
| tee he was chairman, of the moneys
| disbursed by him. He said judicial can
| didates had contributed to the cam
| paign fund, but not by compulsion;
| their individual donations might have
| been as much as $4,000 or $4,000. None OF
them had paid as much as $4,000.
Mr.. Moss had, Mr.. Croker said, beer
| deposed from the police board because
| he was not in sympathy with the party
| in power; his work was all right, bu
| his politics We're at fault.
Mr. Croker said his partner in the
| real estate business was Peter F. Meyer
| who was also connected with the docl
| board.
Mr.. Moss tried to bring out that ju
dicial sales had been given to Croker:
real estate firm on account of the po'
| litical influence of the witness.
| MI Croker said that at present his
firm had nearly all of the judicia
| sales
80 that if YOU have a controlling
voice in the affairs of that party, asked
| Mr. Moss, "and secure the nomination
! of true men you may be sure that a
| least in the real estate exchange anC
in the firm of Meyer & Croker you will
as a true democrat, get some of tha
profit?"
I'VE at least expect to be befriended,
said Mr.. Croker.
Then you are working for your owl
| pocket?"
"An the time. the same as you are
1t is to the party belongs the spoils,
said Croker.
And to the boss belongs the lion.
share of the plunder?' sneered Mr.
| Moss.
mo plunder, no." said Croker. "Yot
can call it whatever you like. Because
men are loyal to us you call that plum
der. When you send your bill in for th'
work you are doing here for the legis
lature you might as we'll call tha
| plunder.'
He saw nothing wrong in receiving
profits that came through appointee
of the organization.
Probably the most interesting part o
the investigation to-day was that il
| which Mr.. Croker was questioned close
lv as 20 how he made his money. MI
| croker refused to tell of his priVat
| affairs, but admitted that was a mem
| Der Of several companies, one of whicl