The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-28
Mr.. Croker's Views.

customary with him nowadays, he gives
forth his interview in London where
he makes long sojourns to vary the
monotony of looking after New York
looking after race horses. Mr.. Croker
consented Saturday to give his opinion
of the political situation in the United
States as he viewed 1t from afar. He
declared emphatically that he Is for
Bryan for president and was free to say
that he believes Bryan will beat Nc
he said he thought the Nebraska lead
er was right in sticking to the 1s to
silver issue. although in his opinion
trusts and imperialism would be the
leading topics for discussion during the
coming campaign.
Mr.. Croker is man of no common
shrewdness and ability. If he were not.
he would not now be exerting an al
most undisputed political authority over
city Of two million people. But he is
not profound statesman. and any ideas
he may have on questions Of national
policy are those of the political ma
chinist. He did not favor Mr.. Bryan
four years ago, although he may have
voted for him. A good many infiuen-
tial Tammany men refused to enthuse
over a ticket representing dishonest
money. and Mr.. Croker followed them.
His opinions on the financial question
were probably vague. but he had trust
ed associates who said Bryan was
wrong. and the boss was not sufficiently
well equipped mentally to prove that he
was not. Tammany's support Of the
Democratic candidate was therefore
lukewarm.
This year It Is different Bryan has
visited New York several times in the
past four years and the matter has
been talked over. Croker has no doubt
been convinced that the party cannot al
low this disintegrating process to work
itself out without epdangering the very
existence OF the organization. Another
bolt may result in permanent separation
from Democracy. 1t will disrupt the
party In New York state and that may
mean eventual disaster for the hall"
This is something which must be pre-
vented at all hazards and at any cost
Principles should not cut any figure
when II comes to the perpetuation of
the gigantic political trust which rules
New York city and the boss OF the trust
is willing to stand in with the Demo-
cratic candidate on any sort OF a Mat
form that may be evolved out of the
foolishness Of man The boss thinks he
i knows on which side his bread is but
| tered.
Mr.. Croker holds that Bryan should
| stick to the 16 to l issue. II doesn't
/ make any difference II the Tammany
/ leader did think otherwise four wears
! ago. A little thing like changing ones
| opinions should never stand in the way
| II political advantage is to be gained
! by the change. Croker understands that
| the Bryanites have the Democracy by
( the throat and that they will reaffIrm
! the Chicago platform. free silver and
/ all. This is inevitable and the only
thing to be done by those who dissent
Is TO swallow 1T all for the sake o,
keeping the boys" together What do
; principles amount 10 anyway, so long
/ as the party can be kept intact and the
machine is permitted to maintain its
( grip on Greater New York?
/ The learned Tammanyite gives utter
ance to the opinion that trusts and i'm
peria|ism viii be the leading issues ot
! the approaching campaign. In express
/ Ing these views ne is following in the
/ footsteps u others who 10 not believe
( in free silver, yet are ashamed To drop
/ Il. and hope to make that Issue less Of
/ fensiye by paying more attention -
I newer problems. Mr.. Croker and a good
many Of his Tammany associates are
/ personally very weak and vulnerable
when It comes 10 trusts, for they are
/ identified with some Of the worst forms
/ Of monopoly Of which the people Of New
York complain. But II they are pressed
on this point they can turn to Imperial
ism and on this issue they ought to
be able TO make a pretty rugged fight.
/; is Of no particular consequence that
! MIR. Croker was an expansionist two