New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-05
HILL HURLS DEFIANCE.
USES ICE TRUST AS WEA pom
AGAINST CROKERITE.S.
MUST KEEP CONTROL OF STATE COM
MITTEE-FIGHT IN CONVENTION
TO-DAY LIKELY


of the Hoffman House yesterday a stubborn
battle was being fought upstairs. Behind the
bridled enthusiasm and racket of the Bryan
shouters there was nothing but desire to i'm
press every one that something was going on
Little attention was paid to this noise and ex-
citement When the Democratic state commit
tee met in the evening settle upon the final de-
tails for the convention to-day, the meeting last
ed only a few moments and passed off without
ripple The uninitiated said in a disappointed
way that everything had been settled, and there
was going TO be no fight This was where they
were mistaken. There was a fight and il isn't
over yet. At midnight last night IL became ap-
parent that 1t would be carried TO the floor o,
the convention to-day. and that sullen battle
would be fought out between ex-senator David
B. Hill and the forces that have surrendered ao-
solutely Organism
Hill from the start has opposed instructing
the delegation TO be sent to Kansas City for
Bryan. Richard Croker took the opposite posi-
tion. Hill. after count OF votes. decided TO
give way He down from Albany Sum
day with ex-senator Murphy. and all day sun
day and yesterday he was in close consultation
with his followers and strengthening his forces
in every way. 1t looked Sunday as II Hill was
beaten horse. foot and Dragons. and would
surrender absolutely. 1t became apparent yes
terday that there was some fight left in him.
leaders had his declaration that he would fight
upon the floor OF the convention any resolution
reaff1rming the Chicago platform. On the
other hand the Bryan men made it known
that they would take issue with Mr.. HilL and
it was confidently predicted last night that the
convention to-day would be rousing one. with
enough fight in it to satisfy any corners.
Hill became desperate yesterday He gave
way to Croker's demand that the delegation
ebO1 hat
point. he began an active canvass to see what
following he would have in the State Commit
tee which is to be elected to-day. 1t did not
take him long to find out that the Croker forces
We're picking off State Committeeman all
through the State 1t is conceded that Croker
could If he wished take control of the commit
tee away from Mr. Hill easily. There are fifty
members OF the committee. one from each Sem
ate district. Hill has always until recently had
control of this committee. The State COMMITTEES
is the real State machine. and the one who is
dominant in this committee is the real State
leader. Hill was therefore more anxious 10 re-
gain control Of the State Committee than to de-
feat instruction of delegates reaffirmation OF
the Chicago platform. 1t did not take him long
to see that the Croker men were undermining
his strength, and unless he made quick and
decisive stroke he would lose the committee
Mr.. Hill came to the decision yesterday
done quickly.
ULTIMATUM To TAMMANY-
He called in John F. Carroll. John whaIen
and other followers of Richard Croker who are
making the fight against Mr. Hill. and said
to them practically in many words:
81 have conceded that the delegates shall
go instructed 1 have given way TO you in
nearly everything you have asked. but if you
take away the control of the State Committee
from me l will get up the floor of the con-
vention tomorrow and I will attack you in
dvidually and as organization for your as
sociation with the Ice Trust and your support
of that company and your stock interests in it"
The Tammany men covered at this They
knew Hill of Old and knew that If he broke
loose in the convention Tammany would get
a gridironing that would be unpleasant AS
result OF this it was agreed that Hill should
be allowed continue to control the State
Committee This means that Frank Campbell
will be elected chairman again. and Elliott DAN
forth chairman of the Executive Committee
Too much Importance can hardly be attached
to this victory of Mr.. Hill There is not an
observant or far-seeing Democrat in the State
who does not believe that Bryan will be defeated
In the State and the Nation. II looks to these
Democrats as if the party riding TO riot
Gus smashup with Organism 10 the front When
this smash does come. Mr.. Hill will be In the
best position in the State, He will have the
State Committee. and it will fall 10 this COM
mittee to reorganize the party in the State and
purge it of Organism Croker and Tammany
are committed Bryan and his creed and
when the smash does come it is expected
that it will engulf them that Tammany can
not expect for long time 70 come TO aspire
TO dictation in State affairs It said last
night that as a result of this Frank Campbell
would retire National committeeman from
this State, Ex-senator Murphy can have the
place If he wants it, but he told his friends
yesterday that he would not take it. That is
said TO mean that it will go to a Tammany
Hall man. 1t was declared last night that
Richard Croker would be named for the place.
and that after election TO the National Com
mittee he would be made member Of the
executive committee and be placed in charge
of the Eastern headquarters in the coming
campaign. He is in high favor with the Bryan
people now. and il is said that he will get this
post of confidence and trust In payment for
his work in securing instructed delegation
from this State for BRYAN
QUESTION OF PLATFORM
After the matter of control OF the State Com
mittee settled the question of platform
came up. 1t was talked over long and earnestly.
without any decision being reached large
number of the delegates TO tO-day's conven-
tion from up the State have come instructed
10 vote for instruction OF delegates for Brvan
and the reaffirmation Of the Chicago platform.
Kings County is standing by Hin in opposing
this Ex-senator Murphy and his followers are
also supporting Hill in this matter.
Tammany. bitterly opposed to Hill. is inclined
to declare for reaffirmation. but Tammany rep
resentatives We're non-commIttal yesterday