The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-16
BOSS CRoKER's AMBITION.
Filled with Il Desire to Figure as n
National Political Leader.


National Political Leader.
New York Letter in St. Louis Globe-Dem-
ocrat
Richard Crokers statement that he ia
vors expansion and that free silver at 16
TO / is a dead issue, is his open bid for the
national leadership of the Democratic par
ty. More than three months ago it was
published in the Globe-Democrat that the
Tammany boss was ambitious to gain con-
troll of the party and convert 1t into an en-
larged Tammany Hall. and that If he could
carry the State election he would at once
start movement to have himself elected
chairman of the Democratic national COM
mittee in 1900 He failed to carry the State,
but he did carry the city, and elected all
his candidates for Congress without recog-
nizing the Chicago platform in any way.
Croker has long been ambitious to gain
plan to thrust himself into national politics:
Croker's friends have known for several
months that he was quietly working out
plan to thrust himself into national politics,
and they have accepted his latest statement
we'll as his policy. He has in quiet way
been at some pains to get at public sent-
ment in regard to retaining the territory
won from Spain in the war. The reports re-
celved at the Democratic Club have con-
WINGED the Tammany boss that Bryan and
the other anti-expansionists do not repre-
sent the views of a majority of the Demo-
Gratis of the country. Croker has always
been opposed to free silver as a national
policy, but he realized that it would not be
good politics to openly oppose Bryan
the money question until a better and new
err issue could be raised.
Before Bryan resigned from the volunteer
army, Croker according to report, came
very near declaring himself opposed to the
policy of national expansion. He was IN
duced to wait awhile until the public could
be heard from. Then. when Bryan resigned
and began to talk against expansion and in
favor of l6 to l. Croker soon decided to take
the other side. He was Influenced to this
decision by the fact that the great finan-
cial and commercial interests of the East
are united for sound money and expansion.
Croker
public questions. His views change with the
rise and fall of the tide of public opinion
and his convictions are always those which
he believes will win most victories.
The Tammany boss believes that the tide
of public opinion ali over the country is rap
idly rising to the level of expansion and
sound money, and that the issues of 1896
will be mere ancient history in the national
down on the shifting sands of politics trying
to keep back the tidal wave, Boss Croker,
who lives and thinks in an atmosphere that
and says to the broken factions of the
Democratic party, Here is new and live
issue; follow me.
Many prominent Democrats in this city
and State confess that the party is in bad
way, and they see only disaster ahead I'M
less new leaders and new issues are found.
The leaders who refused to support Bryan
in 1896 say openly that if he is renominated
in 1900 on the silver issue, and in opposition
to national expansion the result of the cam
paign and election will be the complete dis
indignation of the party. Cookers state
ment mas received serious attention from
men who have heretofore regarded him
merely as the boss of local machine 1t is
recognized that he controls the Democratic
party in this State, as well as in the city,
and that he has outlined the only policy
upon which the party can remain united
and poll a nominal vote in 19O0-that is, the
policy of sound money and the American
flag over all conquered territory.
Boss Croker may not be great man. but
he has demonstrated that he can grasp an
opportunity, and the men who would shape
the future of the Democratic party must
reckon with him. He has a rich and power
full local and state organization back of
him, and in the opinion of many politicians
of experience the Democratic party can be
saved from utter humiliation only by fol-
lowing his policy if not his leadership. Dem
ocrats of all factions are rallying to his
standard, and If a majority of the party
favor the new issue outlined by him he may
be able to realize his ambition and become
a national leader. Some of his friends say
that he will win the fight or leave the Dem
ocratic party and make Tammany Hall
Republican organization. Few, if any, Tam
many men have political convictions that
are not subject to change upon orders from
the boss, and there is no doubt that Croker
could change the politics of the hall at will.