New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-15
MP CROKER on THE STAND.

Under the searching examination or MI MOSS
Richard Croker yesterday drew VIVID picture
OF himself which corresponds in all its features
10 the conception which the public had ioriheo
Of the ruler of NewYork. The session OF the
committee ended with Mr. Croker still on the
stand and he will be questioned further to-day
concerning certain affiliations and transactions
on which he abruptly refused yesterday 70
throw much light His examination. therefore,
Is far from complete but one branch of 1t was
practically finished. and Is therefore sultaDie
subject of comment namely, his business rela-
tons with the Judiciary
II Is quite true that there Is nothing strictly
novel i'm Mr. Cookers description of the way III
which the real estate auction business con-
Quoted by Peter F. Meyer. his partner. has been
made exceedingly lucrative. The main fac's
have been common property for long time
But II is an incident of intense and even sensa-
,,onal interest that Mr.. Croker should explain
under oath in a perfectly frank and untroubled
manner that the great volume or these Juuic'ui
sales is given TO his firm of auctioneers by ref
erees appointed by judges whom In most cases
he has put on the bench-after they have sub
scrbed $4,000 apiece, or Whereabouts, as COLI
dItion precedent to their nomination, to Tam
a.
kept. This is what Mr. Croker calls the nat'l-
raj and proper use of political power over the
bench. 1t is the practical operation Of the legit
innate and excellent rule that to the victors be-
long the spoils 1t is personally profitable to
himself and is politically useful In building up
the Tammany organization. 1t Is only reason
able return for what he has done for the Judges
Turn about is fair play. BY his will, after a
satisfactory understanding as to campaign con-
tributions has been reached certain men are IN
vested with judicial dignities and emoluments
They recprocate by gvng-of course, through
receivers OF their selection-tO Croker and his
partner virtual monopoly of the auction bust
ness for which the courts are responsible Moth
ing could be more convenient, and in the opinion
of Mr. Croker nothing could be more apprO-
pirate.
Thrift runs In the Croker family. His son,
Just out Of college. becomes a stakeholder in
company which has been unable TO do business
with the city, and Is paid $500 year for
learning the business which simultaneously the
company finds ii can do to the exclusion OF It's
competitors The young man thought that was
n perfectly natural and proper sequence OF
events. Evidently he inherited his business per-
ceptions and principles, and the accuracy with
which he has already begun TO reproduce the
paternal pattern must be JOY TO the fathers
heart The son has been brought up In the way
he should go, and he is following it with touch
ing fidelity Doubtless he still has much to
learn, and Of course the vicariOus touch Is
less close and magnetic than that which is d.
rect; but see no reason why Croker senior
should not contemplate the progress Of Croker
junior with pride and confidence.
Mr.. CrOker's manner on the witness-stand yes
terday indicated that he was thoroughly salts
fed with the scheme of political morals Of
which he proclaimed himself to be the chief ex-
ponent and beneficiary, and the joyous accla-
nations Of his following in the committee room
were doubtless In perfect conformity with his
idea of the fitness of things. Moreover to the
shame of many thousands OF reputable citizens
Of New-York, he has some reason for his con-
tentment He was voted into wellnigh absolute
supremacy. and his assumption is that the
people are getting what they expected and like
what they are getting. Beyond dispute that is
true Of the large and filthy tribe of plunderers.
But they are a minority. after all. What does
the majority think now? Or rather that part
of the majority which with deliberate perver-
sity restored Tammany and Croker to power?
We should suppose the answer TO that question
must be sufficiently clear already. Perhaps It
Will be still clearer after Mr.. Croker leaves the
stand to-day.