New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-17
CROKER IN .SECLUSION.
STICKS TO HIS PRIVATE ROOM AT THE
DEMOCRATIC CLUB.
NOT EASY AFTER THE PLIGHT IN WHICH
MR.. MOSS LEFT HIM ON SATURDAY
WILL NOT TALK ABOUT IT-MR. cos
TELLO ON COMMITTEES WORK.

WILL NOT TALK ABOUT IT-MR. cos
TELLO ON COMMITTEES WORK.
1t had not been definitely decided at a late
hour last night whether or not the Mazet In
vestigating Committee would subpoena Richard
Croker to appear before it on Tuesday and thus
interfere with his proposed start for Europe.
His passage is booked on the Lain. Frank
Moss, counsel to the committee, said he thought
that in the two sessions to be held to-day all
the testimony that the committee thinks neces-
sary can be had from Mr.. Croker, and that his
plans for sailing would not be interfered with.
1t might happen. however, that conditions
would develop from the evidence adduced to-
day which would make II advisable TO put Mr..
Croker upon the stand again. In such case no
hesltancy would be displayed In ordering Mr..
Croker to await the committees pleasure.
whether it interfered with his private arrange
ments not
Mr.. Mazet went to Montcar. y. J., for a rest
yesterday. and could not be reached. No meet
ing Of the committee was held, AZ had been
expected.
Thomas NJ. Costello Of Oswego County.
other member Of the committee. was seen at
the Hotel Cadillac. and confirmed what Mr..
Moss had said. When asked If he felt satisfied
with the progress OF the investigation so far he
said:
ut has been said to me two or three times
day that all the infamy which has been
posed so far by our inquiry was we'll known by
the public to exist because they have 1t
frequently charged in the newspapers. My an
swer to this is that VIXEN charges Of corrup-
ton made by Republican newspapers against
Democratic politicians many respectable Demo-
Gratis do not see them at all, and many Of
those who do think that partisan feeling colors
and inspires the accusations. But now the
spectacle Democrats Of New-Ycrk have It
record, from the very lips of their chosen lead
er, that the grossest charges Of corruption ever
made against Tammany Hall and It's leader
exceeded by the reality How, then. they
afford 10 lend their support in the future TO
man who has been branded so unmistakably by
his own evidence?
1T is an amazing state of affairs. Disgrace
full state of affairs. and mockery Of true dem
ocratc principles, that the government Of such
a great city as this should be almost wholly in
the grip of so mercless. exacting. so brazen.
so unprincipled a boss this man Croker"
Mr.. PLArT WILL NOT DISCUSS CRoKER's
CHARGES.
Senator Plat at the Fifth Avenue Hotel yes
terday declined to discuss Mr. Croker's demand
upon the committee that it investigate Mr..
Platts methods OF political leadership also. A.
B. Boardman, Of Tracy Boardman & Platt. said:
There Is nothing underhand In our business.
We are doing law business apparently quite
to the satisfaction OF our clients, and do not
see that we are accountable to anybody else.
Mr. Croker must have been out of temper when
he said anything so ridiculous"
At the Democratic Club there air OF
tension all day Mr.. Croker declined to see re-
porters early In the evening. but sent out word
from his private room that he might see them
before he went home. At a late hour last night
he told the group Of newspaper men who had
been waiting for hours for the perplexed boss
to make UP his mind whether he wanted to say
ANYTHING for publication or not that he pre-
ferred to say nothing.
His followers in other parts Of the clubhouse
attempted to make light of the discredited con-
dition in which Mr.. Croker stands before the
decent Democrats OF this city to-day. after his
refusal TO deny on Saturday that he has drawn
pay from the telephone monopoly. They said
Mr. Croker did right to refuse an answer to
such an ''mpertinent question"
MIR. CROKERs PLIGHT
Croker himself was feeling much like the bad
gered witness from whom direct answer was
demanded to the question. Have you dscon-
tinued the practice of beating your sick wifeT'
He did not know which answer. yes or no,
would put him in the worse light
II he pleads that Mr. Moss's question was a
narsonaI one. and therefore should not be an
swered he is confronted by the fact that he did
answer dozens Of personal questions. where his
repIies involved no risk to his reputation or
liberty.
II he should deny that he ever accepted pay
from the telephone monopoly he does not know
what testimony Mr. Moss may have UP his
sleeve to contradict him.
And If he should admit that he did take pay |
from the telephone monopoly In return for his /
Influence" and should proceed to argue that |
he had perfect right to do so, since he is not |
public official, he might be in danger of
prison CELL but he does not feel at all sure that
even Tammany Hall would be able TO bear up
against such food OF obloquy as would be let
loose upon the man who leads the Tiger in
chains and makes II dance TO any old tune
With regard to John F. CAROLS open and in
sulting contempt Of the committee. Speaker
Nixon. who was at the Fifth Avenue Hotel yes
erday said he supposed the proper course for
the committee to take would be to lay all the
before the Assembly and let the
members Of that body decide by vote what ac-
Ion should be taken. He expected the Assem-
bly, would adjourn in two weeks. Carrolrs
friends say that even II the Assembly should
ieclde to imprison him. 1t cannot keep him
ocked up for contempt beyond the term OF It's
own life as a legislative body There is nothing,
lowever. to prevent the Assembly from taking
. recess instead OF adjournng sine die, II II
should want to according to Mr.. Costeo's view
IF 1t.
To-day's sessions will be held In the rooms Of
ne Board Of Trade, at No. 2o3 Broadway, from
O3O a. m until 1 o'clock and from until
D. m The committee will take the o:2o train
or Albany so as to be In time for the night
ession.
A BIG GRAIN ROUTE PLANNED.
Ill ran |