New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-14
CROKER'S ABOUT-FACE.
POLITICIANS WONDERING JUST WHAT
THE WIGWAM LEADER MEANS
ONE THEORY IS THAT HE IS TRYING TO
RUIN THE SILVER ADVOCATE BY SEEM
INGLY GIVING THE LATTER
TAMMANY SUPPORT.

TAMMANY SUPPORT
Great interest was manifested yesterday III
the statement made by Richard Croker upon MS
return from Europe The seeming apou'-iace
OF the Tammany leader In coming arouhu u
Bryan and preaching against imperialism sur
prised even those who know the Wgwam chief
tain best. Mr.. Croker was at the Democratic
Club most OF the day and a number of prom
nent Tammany men were there to meet hiih'
The club has been deserted and lonely ever
stree he went to Europe, but 1t had a revival OF
life on Saturday nGht. and all day yesterday
there was a good sized gathering In the cup
house. Mr.. Croker was kept busy shaKlhg
hands and telling about his trip on politics.
however, he had little to say. asserting that ne
had expressed himself fully in his interview, ana
that he didn't care to go into details.
The Democrats who are at Saratoga VIII nave
to wait few days before they see Mr.. Croker
He said last night that he wanted to see ex-
Senator Murphy and talk over the situation with
him. and for that he would go to Long
Branch either to-day or tomorrow to visit Mr'
Murphy. He might remain there all week. he
added proceeding to Saratoga the latter part or
the week or the first part Of next week lie
would have gone TO Long Branch yesterday. he
said. had 1t not been for word he received from
Mr.. Murphy.
When Mr. Croker was asked directly about
Bryan and his apparent declaration in favor or
the silver mans renomination he answered.
bluntly: Il have not declared for Mr.. Bryan
have declared for no one l am committed to no
one. do not believe in forstalling the action
OF National convention or attempting to dc
tate to II. The convention Is over a year away
and much may happen in that time. Whoever Is
afpd b, no
support OF all Democrats and the Democrats IN
this State | do not pretend to say who 1t VIII
be What I said about Mr.. Bryan was simply
a statement OF my feeling about him to-day
and had no bearing upon the possibility or ad-
visibility Of his reconciliation next year.
Mr. Croker was then asked why when he mad 50
sturdlly championed expansion and imperialism
before he went away he had declared against IL
now Just before his departure for Europe II
may be remembered. he gave an exceptionally
forid and spread eagle interview, saying that
wherever the flag went up 1t should stay anu
dilating upon the benefits of expansion since
that time" replied Mr. Croker yesterday nave
had time TO think and reflect and II see thal
am in the wrong am perfectly willing 10 ADMIT
H. II the Administration is using the war as
vehicle 10 secure a denomination and working
the strings and spending the peoples money TOT
fits own ends why / no reason for not de-
nouncing IT," He would say no more He would
not discuss the Council question or the bond Is
sues He said he was not sufficiently posted as
10 the situation.
Mr. Croker went to church in the forenoon ana
then returned to the club and stayed there until
late IN the afternoon, when he took drive with
Mr. Mcdonald behind pair of trotters' he
dined at the club. and remained there the rest
thnap "
him were John Whalen, President Murphy Of
the Health Board, Deputy Controller DAILY An
drew Freedman and John f. Carroll
The politicians are wondering why Mr.. Croker
anparentIy made such a remarkable change OF
political base and great many explanations
arc heard one Of the theories is that Mr. Croker
is selling the Bryantes a large gold brick Inc
hatred for Tammany throughout the South ana
West Is most bitter. The Democrats outside or
New-York dislike the local organization, ana
any man supported by Tammany mas Httle
chance m a National convention. The reeHhs
against Tammany in the state Is strong aiso.
and while Richard Croker dominated the last
State Convention he did not dare nominate
man in the Tammany fold. although he forced
the selection of a man closely animated win H.
Mr. Croker's antagonism TO Bryah, III the oPih-
ion OF many Democrats has helped rather tnah
hurt that leader in the country. II Is intlmateu,
therefore that Mr.. Croker is taking advantage
Of this hostility to Tammany to take Nllllam D.
Bryan in Tammanyize him. as il were, and thus
destroy him in the country by making him ram
manys candidate. II Tammany supports Bryan
a great many Democrats in various parts OF the
country could not be convinced that he had not
sold out to that organization, and great many
OF his most loyal advocates would at once turn
against him. In case Richard Croker is follow
ing this policy, 1t is pointed out. he could alien
ate enough strength from Bryan to weaken MN
greatly in the convention. and then, by WITH
drawing the Tammany influence and It's allied
support at the right time. he could probably ac-
complish Mr.. Bryan's defeat
Another political guess is that Mr.. croker has
come to realize that he cannot stem the tide;
that he sees clearly that Bryan Will be renoHl-
mated: that anti-mperasm will be the cry or
the Democrats and that he is trying TO get In
cut OF the wet in time. II is said in support or
this that even his own organization-that Is. the
rank and fle-yelled deriously for Bryan at its
Fourth Of July celebration.
All of this is wild speculation however. But,
whatever Mr.. Crokers motive may be, he has
furnished food for gossip of the most interest
ing kind and his movements and sayings and
plans will be watched with keen interest.
"BOOMLET' LEADERS SILENT.
VAN WYCK'S ADHERENTS HAVE NOTHING
u-ros TIIAN y