New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-27
FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF
Mr.. CROKER SAILS WHILE A CROWD
on THE PIER HOwLs.
BIG LEADERS AND LITTLE WERE THERE TO
SAY GOODBY-HIS CABIN FILLED WITH
FLOWERS - HARANGUES HIS
FOLLOWERS UNTIL THE


FLOWERS - HARANGUES HIS
FOLLOWERS UNTIL THE
STEAMER STARTS.
One Of Americas foremost statesmen, Speaker
Reed, and one Of Engands foremost diplomats,
Sir Julian Pauncefote, sailed for Europe from
this city yesterday on the American Line steam
ship New-York; but one would scarcely have
known IT, for all the notice they attracted from
the crowd OF unusual size and enthusiasm which
was at the pier This thronging fawning. idol
izing pack had gathered TO show their chief,
Richard Croker. how much they thought OF him,
and also how much they expected Of him. before
the steamship should carry him beyond the
sound Of their adulations.
More than $1,000 had been spent in flowers
10 decorate Mr.. Croker's cabin. and each man
who had paid out his money for them was there
70 make sure that the chief was aware Of IT.
The leaders Of the mob swarmed up the gang
plank after him, and crowded around him In
such numbers that they completely blocked the
narrow passages between the cabins. causing
the greatest inconvenience TO other passengers
than the Tammany king. who were struggling
for admission to their staterooms. The
smaller fry remained on the pier and forming
IN solid mass close to the side Of the ship,
pushed to the rear all others who wanted TO
say last goodby to those on board Among
these were George J. Gould and his wife. who
were there TO see Lady Mary Sackve start on
fer voyage for home. No courtesy consldera-
tion for others expected, Of course from the
chiefs followers, and they showed none.
They all called him chief with such emphasis
and frequency and cheered him so repeatedly
and vehementy as TO make II pretty evident
that their demonstration was a concerted
nd WA designed
show the public that Mr.. Cookers disgraceful
revelations of his political methods made re-
Gently before the Mazet Committee had only In
creased his popularity in the Wigwam and
strengthened his grip on their loyalty. One Of
Mr.. Croker's parting messages Of cheer TO them
was:
Every day the Mazet Committee stays in
sion means ten thousand votes for Tammany
in the next election. Boys, will come out Of
this new attack upon Democracy as we have in
the past-in triumph"
SOME OF THOSE PRESENT.
Among those who cheered these words were
Michael c. Murphy, President OF the Health
Board John ]. Scanned, Fire Commissioner
Peter F. Meyer. Dock Commissioner; Charles
welde Commissioner of Jurors: Lewis Nixon
President Of the East River Bridge Commits
sion; DR.. William T. jenkins. Health Commits
sorer John c. Herte. Commissioner of Ac-
counts; William II. Burke secretary of the Dock
Beard: James Mccartney. Commissioner Of
Street Cleaning; Asa Bird Gardiner, District
Attorney; John w. Keller. Commissioner Of
Charities Thomas l.. Feitner, President Of the
Board of Tax Commissioners; C. f. F. McCann
Deputy Assistant Distrct-Attorney; Thomas s.
Brennan Deputy Commissioner of Charities;
Henry NJ Goldfogle Justice of the With District
To- A In sti Of no
District Court: ]. ]. Cooean, President of Man
haitian Borough: ]. w. Boyle River Bridge
Commissioner. and Thomas j. Dunn. Sheriff.
The crowd OF Tammany men had been waiting
on the pier for time before Mr. Croker
drove up at $50 a. m. He accompanied by
Andrew Freedman. DR. John s. Cosby and his
son, f. s. Croker. Close behind, in another cab
were Thomas Smith. Mr.. Cookers private Sec
retary; President CoQgan.a DR.. O'Sullivan and
Nathan Straus. Frank Croker brought up in the
rear in an automobile. With Mrs. Samuel E. War
rem, N. Cookers sister, and her young daugh-
ter These two are crossing the ocean with him.
The chief was greeted with cheer, and as he
stepped from his cab was instantly surrounded
and dozen men reached for his hand at once
and score OF inquiries about his health were
fired at him in one breath.
Mr. Croker's neck was swathed In a big white
silk handkerchief He held out his hand in
indifferent manner, and let anybody shake II
who wanted to do He did not look at the
shaker nor care 10 know who 1t that was
pumping at his arm.
AN ADDRESS TO THE CROWD.
Speaking at the crowd collectively. he said:
81 have got this boil on the back Of my neck,
and while I'm feeling great deal better since
the doctors cut 1t open, I'm not a well man by
any means"
Chief" said one man. I'VE hope you are going
TO have a good time"
. That's what I'm going for" Croker replied
"and If can handle a little of the Princes
money. I'll be satisfied. I'm going to cover some
of Albert Edwards money, and II my luck holds
] guess I'll come off all right"
When Mr.. Croker began 10 ascend the gang
plank his admirers, as IL by word OF command,
remained at the bottom and let him go up alone
When he had gone halfway, and occupied
fine conspicuous position. they set up big
cheering Mr.. Croker paused turned, smiled
lifted his hat. bowed twice, and then continued
his ascent. Instantly the leaders dashed AFTER
him II had evidently been prearranged.
Mr. Cookers suite OF staterooms, for when ne
had paid $3.50 II was said. is on the main deck
He found 1t so full of roses that he could
hardly get place to sit There were Ameri-
can Beauty roses. Rothschild roses. bride roses
but no Moss roses. floral design sent by
the Democratic Club cost 5000 alone. Coogan
had sent another, just as elaborate. fash
tonable florist had been engaged to cover up
most of the woodwork OF the cabin. including the
ceiling with vines and blossoms. Mr. Croker