New-York tribune., 1900-08-09
COLER'S YELLED ATTACK.
A PUBLISHED ARTICLE REGARDED. AS
CHALLENGE To CROKER.
"COMMERCIALIsM IN POLITICS" WITH TAM
MANY AS THE EVIDENT TExrwoULD
NOT CARE FOR PEOPLE AT
SARATOGA IF HE CHOsETO
RUN FOR GOVERNOR.
Run FOR GOVERNOR.

II I were n candidate for Governor, IL
wouldn't make any difference to whether
the people at Saratoga referring to Croker.
Grady and others were against nae not
Controller Coler 10 a Tribune reporter YESTERDAY
When in the course OF public investigation
some months ago a prominent political
leader said, II working for my own
pocket all the time he told in a terse
phrase of unvarnished truth the exact condi-
t1On of modern politics in the great cities OF
the United States.-ConJroller Coler in this weeks
independent referring TO Crokers testimony before
Mazet Committee
Controller Colsr is on the point Of accepting
Richard Croker's challenge 10 be a candidate
for the Democratic nomination for Governor al
the coming State Convention.
He is angry over the inspired statements that
he is not a candidate. made by Grady and
others at Saratoga, and that he is not 10 be
considered as one OF the possibilities
Croker thought TO bluff him into submissive
silence. and has only succeeded in exasperating
the Controller into making a thinly yelled at
tack upon Tamnaany and its leaders in this
weeks issue OF The Independent" Those who
know the Controller Intimately and who have
enjoyed his confidence this week do not hesi-
tate TO say that if Croker wants the Con
trolleris scalp he'll be welcome TO il after a
bruising and bloody fight The repeated slur-
ring OF the Controller by men ike Grady, pre-
sumably speaking for Croker has greatly an
gered Mr.. Coler, until now II pushed any
further, he is ready 10 announce his intention
TO be candidate for the nomination for Gov
ernor, and fight for the honor. If honor II be in
the State Convention. He has been assured by
the Brooklyn leaders that If il comes 10 an
open fight he Will get more than half Of the
Brooklyn delegates in the State Convention.
MR.. COLER'S ARTICLE.
The subject OF Mr.. CoIer's article in this weeks
Independent is "CommerciaIisrn in Politics
and It was learned yesterday that IL was pre-
pared with care and deliberation- Some of the
salient features Of the article follow:
When in the course of a public investigation
some months ago a prominent political leader
said, I am working for my own pocket all
the time he told in a terse phrase Of unvar-
nLSheO truth the exact cOn0lLlOn or modern
politics in the great cities OF the United States
BY hundreds and thousands Of men who are TO-
day CIassed as good and honest citizens politics
for revenue IS regarded as a business Just a
legitimate and honorable the buying and
selling Of dry goods or groceries. Such men do
not believe there is any personal dishonesty or
improperly in making money indirectly out OF
politics. and unfortunately that view OF the
matter is largely sustained by public opinion.
When a powerful political organization. known
as a machine. gets control OF the government
OF a city or State and holds year after
year, overcoming all opposition, tnere can be
but two reasons for such condition. One is
that the machine" provides government so fair
and economical that the citizens object 10
change. and the other is that the government
is corrupt and that majority of the voters
either directly indirectly share the profits
80 +T7a+ corr,I1-fou When the favors OF govern
nent are for sale few men are too honest to buy
them If Merchant Brown can use a sidewalk
FOR a sIorehouse, saving thereby much time and
rent he will pay a little blackmail for the privi-
lege and silence his conscience with the argu-
nent that Merchant Jones would do the same
thing and thereby be able TO undersell honest
Pace thoroughly organized party or faction
IN absolute control OF every department Of
great CITY like New-YOrk, and that power can
5a 11sa6 m enrich favored corporations and indi-
yiduals and TO crush any and every legitimate
business that refuses 10 engage in questionable
transactions with the representatives OF the
man whose word is the law. The spirit Of COM
roarciaIisn is so intrenched in politics that how
aIar much we may quibble. explain and deny.
the fact remains that when individual or cor
norate interests seek the favor or protection OF
government they do not go 10 the men whose
votes make laws or to those whose decisions
Interpret legislation they go 10 the man or men
whose orders make and unmake ofaceholders-
SELLING POLITICAL FAvORs.
There are men in New-York and others in al
most every large city in the country receiving
large incomes from the business OF selLiHg le po
utical favors who would resent as gross hosl
suggestion that they were dishonest They
have simply engaged in the business or poltlcs
and are making out OF II what they can win
the trade OF such men II is not an easy matter
10 say where business ends and blackmah be-
gins. . ,,,.,..,
marty or organization in absolute control OF
every department OF government in a great city
like Nsyg-York every inha bitant. from the mill
ionaire banker or manufacturer 10 the pennl-
less bootblack or newsbOy on the street, can be
forced to recognize the power OF conmercialism
in nolitics The secret channels through which
favors and punishments may be conveyed are
bavond the reach OF investigation exposure
II a citizen has property 10 tax the rroWn or the
smile OF somebody in authority may De made
visible 10 him. II he seeks 20 build. permits
NAV be refused or his applications ignored until
he comes 70 terms. In the mercantile business
he NAV be annoyed and oppressed in a variety
81 ways II a tenant, his landlord may earn po-
Continued on third page.