Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-19
DEPEND ON CROKER
New York Democrats Base All Claims
on His Say So.
some QUESTION His ESTIMATES
Surface indications Do Not Bear
Out His Figuring.
WEAK SPOTS IN DEMOCRACY
Special From a Staff Correspondent.

state is in danger they are greatly deceived.
l met few men not actually engaged IN the
campaign for Bryan who expressed the
opinion that there is much Likelihood OF the
democrats carrying the state. 1t is not un-
common to hear the course of the admins
tration in some particular criticised, pu'
such criticism is usually accompanied with
the declaration that the election of Bryan Is
not to be thought of, CT, at least that there
is no chance of Bryan's carrying New YORK.
The contrary opinion as to the result ap-
pears to be confined to men who have faith
in Croker's being able to do what he sets
out to do in New York politics, and to the
men with soiled hands and in working
clothes. The average democrat met with
in the Hoffman House lobby or in business
circles does not express confidence in MS
party's success in the empire state, but con-
fines himself to an expression of hope.
Anti-imperialism cannot be made an issue
here. | think every man / have talked with
has told me that the people in New YORK
do not care anything about it. Some OF
them have told Bryan so. Trusts and the
too great lodgment of power in the hands
of the rich are the only campaign cries the
New York democracy care for. They do
not know what the consent of the governed
means. They have come to like Bryan. but
the sentimental side of his character Is an
enigma to them
Bryan Does Not See Practical Side.
Bryan does not appreciate the practical
side Of their political methods. TO him the
great demonstration Tuesday night was a
spontaneous outburst of democratic sentl-
ment in support Of an idea. To the men
who got it up it was a matter of machine
arrangement, involving a lot of hard WORK
and expense. Everything was ordered ana
arranged, even to the number each captain
should have in attendance at the meetings
and how long they should remain and what
they should do. The demonstration being
over the throng of enthusiasts awaits
further orders.
Practically the same thing will probably
be true of the great republican demonstra.
tions being arranged for. 1t is the New
York method. 1t would shock Mr.. Bryan
If he knew just how the thing is done. A
good theatrical stage manager would have
better understanding of the matter.
All democratic hopes in this state are
based upon faith in Crokers power and
ability. Croker's field of operations rs
broadened in this campaign. He has ex-
tended his management beyond New York
city and taken charge of the state. He
hopes to win and wants the credit to be
all his own. Whatever feeling of confidence
is entertained by the democrats is based
on that which he processes They do not
know just how he is going to do it, but
he says he will carry the state, and-well,
they don't know!
The question in the minds Of those most
lulSIeSlSU - "HelueT STOker Is Dig enough
to carry through this larger undertaking
whether he spread himself over the
whole state Even the republicans do not
question his ability to pile up very good
sized majority for Bryan where Tammany
reigns. But that will be Of no avail if
normal republican majority prevails up the
state.
Weak Spots in Democratic Organiza-
tiOn.
While the democratic organization is COM
pact and active and not suffering from the
want Of money, there are two very weak
spots which trouble them. One of these is
Brooklyn and the other is Erie county Gro
ker is responsible for both of these and it
lies with him to cure the evil or take the
blame in spite of the heroic work he NAV
do elsewhere.
In turning down Coler he took the risk of
loss of votes in Brooklyn; and in interfer-
ing with the Hill organization in Erie
county he took a heavy responsibility upon
his shoulders. The certainty that he will
be blamed for failure in either or both of
these places will lead him to do his ut
most, but the best of democrats are doubt
full and anxious. If the democrats can
restore this normal strength in Brooklyn
and in Erie county, there is just a chance
of their carrying the state. Otherwise there
is no hope for them unless there is some
underground condition favorable to Bryan,
which nobody, democrat republican,
sees.
II Brooklyn does not go back on the
democrats, it is confessed there is dam
ger Of her doing, Bryan can count on aD-
proximately the same majority in Greater
New York that Van Wyck had. The Tam
many organization vote, stated to be about
13O,O 600, may be counted on as practically
solid, and there is certain element of the
business men who are dependent upon the
good will of Croker and who will therefore
vote with Tammany, whatever their per-
sonal sentiments may be. Some of the
a
will undoubtedly support Mckinley in this
campaign; but to some extent-no one can
tell how great-this will be compensated for
by Bryans personal following.
Bryan's Personal Following.
1t is one of the recognized features of the
present condition now that Bryan has a
personal following here. Men who have no
relations with Tammany, some who per-
haps have seldom, if ever, voted the demo-
cratic ticket, will vote for Bryan because
he has excited their admiration and won
their confidence. Perhaps but few of
these are men of any special influence, but
the indications are that they are fairly
numerous. They will have to be quite
numerous to make an offset to the loss
among business men Of the class who often
vote with Tammany-for business reasons
in local election.
The work that Is being done by W. R.
Hearst through the democratic clubs, inde-
something, though that work Is only Incl
dentally local, the organization being ma
tional. Between Croker and Hearst con-
money is made available for or
ganization and display. There is no other
place in the country where the democrats
are as well supplied with means to meet
their running expenses
With the local machinery, compact organ
izafion and sufficient money for their needs,
it may be possible for Bryan to carry Great
er New York by from 5000 to IS 900, pro-
vided the democrats can adjust things to
their satisfaction in Brooklyn. Van Wyck
carried Greater New York by about s., ,OOO
but this included about 1900 majority in
Brooklyn, whereas Mckinley carried Brook
lyn by about $1,000 in q6. The most the
democrats claim there now is 1900, and
they are not at all sure of any majority at
ALL Managers of each party, in fact, con-
fess ignorance as to what Brooklyn may do,
each granting the widest range of possi-
bility.
The Vote Upstate.
Granting the highest figures for Greater
New York that any democrat except Cro-
ker seriously suggests, 1t still leaves the
republicans large surplus vote up the
state. The democrats calculate on the la