New-York tribune., 1900-11-26
TYING FOR THE BOSS'S FAVOR.
MAYORALTY NOMINATION., LOOK
ONLY TO CROKER

There is great deal OF quiet discussion going
on among the Tammany leaders who will be
nominated for Mayor on the Tammany ticket next
year. The leaders all admit that the forces which
organizing to oppose Tammany the most
formidable that the organization has ever coped
with. and that strong man must be named. 1t
may be remembered that in 1897 when Richard
Croker returned from Europe. his underlings had
made all plans for nominating Charles w. Dayton
but suddenly Mr.. Croker upset everything and
insisted upon the nomination of Van Wyck. Mr..
Crokers reason for doing that he two
ant-Tammany tickets in the field and believed that
with the anti-Tammany forces divided Tammany
could win with almost any candidate. So he picked
out the most tractable and subservient candidate
available. -
The Tammany leaders now realize that they wifi
have no such easy time next year They admit,
when they talk among themselves, that combna-
ton of all ant-Tammany strength in this city upon
a union candidate now seems likely and that they
must be careful in their choice
Among the bred-in-the-bone organization men
only two names are mentioned, and it Is rather
amusing to listen TO the talk about the candidacy
OF these two and to watch their actions.
Lewis Nixon. head of Mr. Crokers Purity Com
mttee. and John W. Keller president of Mr.
Croker's Democratic Club. the two 1t has
come about in the organization that Tammany men
never look beyond the domination OF the boss
Both Keller and Nixon seem to have aim In life
outside OF maintaining the friendship and patron
age of Richard Croker. Both avowed candidates
friends-and yet neither seems in any way to make
a bid for popular support to try get a public
reputation that Will cause the party to demand his
nomination. So far be seen they spend
their days and nights in one way-catering to the
caprtces and juggling for the favor of the Tam
many hoes.
There is a strong rivalry between these two
favorites OF the Tammany boss. At the Kansas
City Convention Mr.. Croker brought about the
Endorsement of John W. Keller as New-York's
choice for the Vice-Presidential nomination At
that time 1t was said that this was simply step
to place Mr.. Keller in line for the nomination for
Mayor next year. "
When Croker decided to start his Crusade" he
named Lewis Nixon as chairman Of his committee
This caused great deal of heartburninr To- Wr
Keller and his friends. Mr. Nixon and his friends
were highly elated this sign of the boss &
favor, and Mr.. Keller and his friends were CORE
spending depressed. The organization seems 10 ha
divided into two camps and each favorite has his
following. W ms
This, of course is of great interest to those who
never look beyond the favor of the boss There
are many leaders in Tammany. however who are
hardheaded practical men, and they see the an
proachlng storm They say frankly that neither
Nixon nor Keller could win next year. MANY OF
the Iammany leaders personally fond of Bird
;; Coler and would like to him nomlna ted and
these think that Croker will in the end agree 10
the domination OF Coler. Others say that Edward
NJ Shepard. who has recently shown disposition
TO be regular. will be selected