New-York tribune., 1900-04-21
CONVENTION HERE, JUNE )
DAVID B. HILL AGAIN CONTROLS STATE
ORGANIZATIONS
HE is FIGHTING FOR A MODIFIED PLAT
FORM. AND WILL CONCEDE BRYAN's
NoMINATIoN-PRoBAB AGREE
MENT WITH CROKER.

AGREE
MENT WITH CROKER
Ihe Democratic State Convention to elect
oelegates-at-large to the Kansas City conven-
tfon viii meet in this city on Tuesday. June 3.
at the Academy of Music.
There was time when a meeting of the
Democratic State Committee meant a great
deal For days before and for day
after the air would be full Of rumors ard the
meeting would attract interest all over the
state That was in the time when the Demo-
cratic organization was prosperous and power
fui- There was a meeting Of the Democratic
State Committee IN this city yesterday. and ii
hardly caused a ripple. OF the fifty members
or the State Committee. about one-third were
absent or represented by proxies. The meeting
was cut and dried, and did not last over ten
minutes. There was no contest. no fight of any
kind and only a listless interest in the pro-
ceedngs on the part Of prominent Democrats
Ex-senator Hill was the only prominent State
democrat present. Ex-senator Murphy did not
see nj to come. and he represented by ex-
Mayor Molloy, of Troy. Richard Croker is in
Europe. and he was represented by John F
Carroll Hugh Mclaughlin sent James Shev-
lin and Senator McCarren as his representa-
tives
In the old days when the Democratic party
heafhV
organization a meeting Of the State Committee
was an event, and all Of the leaders made it A
point to attend. and the action of the committee
was viewed both with interest and appreben
sion Now the ragtag and tattered remnant OF
lhe party hardly attracts any attention, and no.
oooy seemed 10 be bothered much yesterday by
the meeting The business transacted was pure
~ routine and formal and had all been dis
counted There was contest, and subjects
that might have caused irritation or turmoil
were carefully avoided. Ex-senator Hills deft
hand was evidenced in the smooth way in which
everything was disposed of.
The meeting Of the State Committee was
called together at l. o'clock at the Hoffman
House. Ex-senator Hill did not attend the
meeting, but everything had been arranged for
IN MS room before the meeting was called to
order. Previous to the gathering Mr. Hill had
long talk with Senator McCarren Frank Camp
bell chairman Of the State Committee: Elliot
Danforth. chairman of the Executive Commit
tee; John F Carroll. James Shevlin ex-Mayor
MoIloy and others. The whole programme was
mapped out, and the committeeman went into
the meeting like so many automatons to go
through the form so as TO make the call for the
convention legal.
HILL IN CONTROL AGAIN.
The meeting yesterday demonstrated one thing.
porary eclipse. is once more in the saddle and
in control of the State organization. At the
last meeting Of the State Committee Mr. Croker
offered and Mr.. Hill opposed a resolution recog-
nizing William J. Bryan the National leader
of the Democracy. After a bitter fight Mr.. Hill
was defeated, and his defeat was proclaimed
his downfall State leader. and the honors
were left with Mr.. Croker. II said yesJer-
day by well informed politicians that Mr.. Croker
that he realizes that Mr Hill is far better
equipped to act as adviser in State and National
affairs. and that he has decided to step back
and support Mr.. Hill in this role, while Mr.. Hill
has agreed TO keep his hands entirely off New
York City and Kings County. It is declared
that a thorough understanding exists between
Mr Hill. Mr. Croker and Mr Mclaughlin this
score. and that they win work in harmony this
fall in the State and National election. 1t is
declared that no one will be nominated for Gov
ernor that is opposed by any one of the three.
and that compromise candidate will be secured
who can be supported heartily and earnestly by
all. To ex-senator Murphy is credited the pres
ent armistce.
Since Mr. Croker and Mr.. Mclaughlin have
left the management of State and National af-
fairs almost solely to Mr. Hill, the ex-senator
has taken up the question with zest and is al
ready busily engaged in preparing for the com
mate friends Of Mr. Hill. the latter admits that
il is practically Impossible TO defeat Bryan for
the nomination Mr.. Hill, il is said believes
that Dewey is too late in coming out a
didate and. moreover, that his method of an
ncuncing himself and his plans has been badly
advised and that he is not TO be considered
formidable in any way. Within the last week
Mr. Hill has seen and talked with Ex-Governor
AltgeId of Illinois, who is ultra silver. and Perry
Belmont who is ultra gold in the political
test.
Ex-senator HIS present plan, it is said is to
try TO bring about harmony in the party. II Is
declared that he believes firmly that the Demo-
Gratis have an excellent chance. of winning both
in the State and in the Nation this fall and that
and the adoption Of a National platform which
will be somewhat more temperate than that
of 1896 and which will be sufficiently concilia-
tory for all Democrats TO support Mr HITS
whole fight II is indicated. is 10 have the plat
form 10 be adopted drafted upon satisfactory
lines and he is willing TO concede the nomination
Of Mr. Bryan. For this reason he does not wish
TO have an instructed delega ton sent from this
State and il is declared that Mr.. Croker. ex-
Senator Murphy and Mr.. Mclaughlin. while they
admit that Brvan viii be nominated. are agreed
against instructing the delegation for Bryan.
%ew-Yorl1 has seventy y-two votes in the Ma
tional Convention. and this number cast as a
unit viii be a factor. It win be a potent
weapon 10 use in making deals concerning
RI that ex1rfly what Senator