Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-05

glances. The strong, nauseating odor of
iodoform was unmistakable. There was no
escaping It, Women left the table only to
return with a report that IL was unbear-
able in the upper cabins and even on deck.
Lady Mary Sackville nearly collapsed under
the mysterious infiiction. 'Quite like a
hospital" said the noble lady, whereupon
small army of stewards under the com
mand of Purser Hinsley started out to in
vestigate, The ships doctor was totally in
the dark.
For twenty four hours the odorous nuis-
ance made life almost unbearable. Nine.
Emma Eames Story stood 1t with fortitude
for half a day and then retreated to her
cabin, declaring loudly that human nature
could bear no more The women of the
Pauncefote family, strong, athletic women,
next beat a retreat and the ships officers
redoubed their efforts to locate the nuisance.
1t was finally traced step by step right to
Croker's cabin. broad grin spread
through the ship. The Croker carbuncle
was at the bottom of the trouble. Croker's S
man applied iodoform with lavish hand
all unconscious of the effect on the passen-
gers in general. Croker was chagrined and
did not appear at table for days after the
incident.
Discourtcsy to Cookers Niece.
The Tammany chief was accompanied by
his sister, Mrs. Samuel Warren, her daugh
ter, Mrs Stella Bowman. cruel result of
the anti Croker feeling aboard was an act
of regretable discourtesy to Croker's niece,
Mrs. Bowman This woman was bright,
oblging and popular, a skilled pianist and
q charming vocalist. concert was planned
for the last night of the trip under the di .
rectlon of Countess de Fremont and John
Shaw of Boston. Nine. Schuman Heinck
held position on the program and Croker's
niece was billed among others for two
songs. Musical people were aboard in num-
bers. Volunteers for the piano were many
but strange to say Countess Fremont could
find no accompanist for Mrs. Bowman
There was general feeling of Indignation
among the passengers that whatever the
opinion on Croker's case his niece should
not be made to suffer. had been pleas
ant and obligng throughout the voyage and
the attempted indignity was recognized as
cruel and unjust. Miss Ethel Inman. daugh-
ter of the founder of the American line
slipped into the breach and played the ac-
compartments.
Croker was sallow and sour throughout
the trip and made but two appearances in
the smoking room. He did most of his
walking alone. Two or three commercial
men unknown to fame joined him now and
again, but his mood was surly rather than
confidential. But there was no difficulty In
getting Croker's views on all matters, that
is up to the point at which he has placed
the seal of silence on his lips. He sneered
at the Mazet committee loudly, and an
nounced his willingness to return and face
his inquisitors any time.
Let 'em go on with their attempt to
pry into the private affairs of men who
happen to be in business rivalry with re-
publican concerns. Every day they keep 1t
up means a thousand new votes for Tam
many" said Croker.
He assured small circle of listeners that
the Mazet committee would never be able,
"in thousand years" to prove the mis-
appropriation of a dollar of public money
during Tammany Hall administration, but
the reign Of Mayor Strong was a sad era
of eXtravagance thievery and corruption
The Tammany chief expressed positive
anxiety for what he was pleased to term
IAN honest investigation OF city depart
ments."
"Give us three straight republicans and
as many democrats with any man who Is on
the level at their head" said Croker, then
let 'em go ahead and place the burden Of
guilt right where 1t belongs"
Mr. Croker opened his eyes In astonish-
ment when asked about the alleged police
fund for use in legislation, processing total
ignorance of the subject. He scored, the re-
publican legislature as corrupt and intimated
there was a good time coming when Mazet
might be called upon to tell what he knew
about the Astoria gas bill and other grabs
which Platt's firm had been interested In
directly against the public good.
Dnmns Bryan with Faint Praise.
Croker made no conceament OF his posi-
tion on national politics, The Chicago plat
form is little to his liking now as before and
William jennings Bryan may reckon upon
the determined opposition OF Tammany Hall.
IAN anti trust plank will be the promi-
nent feature in the democratic platform that
Will rally the voters of every state TO a
grand fight against trusts" said Croker.
'No democratic president can be elected on
the old issue of l6 to l."
Croker damned Bryan with faint praise.
He described the silver leader as "a fine
man personally, but not SO big as some
other men in the party who could be readily
brought forward when needed"
without exactly saying 1t, Croker left no
room for doubt that Bryan was distinctly
out OF the presidential running even II he
should consent to sidetrack the money ques-
tion. Antitrust will be the Tammany Hall
war cry for 1900. A mild form of anti-ex-
pansion a la Croker may also be expected, in
which the conquest OF the Philippines will
be sanctioned as tho first step toward an ex-
change of the islands for territory nearer
home, Canada preferred.
Croker was met at Southampton by three
horsy- looking men, who accompanied him to
London enroute to his stock farm at Want
age. Croker is hopeful for the chances OF
his colt, Knickerbocker, entered for the
Derby, though 1t is not in the betting yet
Until he has conferred with his two trainers
who preceded him to Vantage a week ago,
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