New-York tribune., 1900-08-13
LOOKING FORAHARDFIGHT
POLITICIANS INTERESTED IN COLER'S
DEFIANCE OF CROKER-THE CON
TROLLER AND THE GOVERN
ORSHTP NOMINATION.

The practical announcement by Controller
Coler that he is a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor politicians so inter-
pret his attitude; the declaration that he did
not care whether Tammany was with him
not, and that he would fight If necessary. sent
thrill through the Democrats Of the city and the
State yesterday. The old politicians when they
heard of the bold defiance of Croker by the
Controller drew their breaths and declared that
there was fight in prospect which would be
worth watching, and one that would be remem-
bered for a long time TO come. Mr.. Coler has
made his views rather plain. and IT Is now
understood on all sides that he does not care for
Tammany and would rather welcome than try
to avoid a struggle with Croker and the Tam
many combination. With Coler's willingness to
fight declared, the anxious inquiry now is
whether Croker VIII give battle or try to make
terms Many think that Croker will see the
futility OF opposing CoIsr. and will make the
best possible arrangement
There were few prominent Democrats In Man
haitian or Brooklyn yesterday. Controller CoIer.
after his bold challenge to Croker and Tam
many, had gone to Liberty to stay over Sun
day Mr.. Croker and his followers are at Sara
toga. Ex-senator Murphy was not at Long
Branch yesterday. and It was intinated that
he had gone to Saratoga to talk with the Tam
many chief. Ex-senator Hill is expected to go
Tammany forces behind CoIer.
HIS POSSIBLE SUPPORT
with this prospect of struggle in the con-
vention between Coler and Croker. the Demo-
cratic politicians are eagerly scanning the State
to see what support Csler will likely have. OF
course, if Croker elects to fight, and not to
compromise the entire Tammany vote viii be
thrown against Mr. CoIer In this case it fs gener-
ally believed that Kings County viii hold the
balance Of power. So far Hugh Mclaughlin
has not iutimated what the Kings County or
ganization Will do John L. Shea, chairman Of
the Executive Committee Of Kings County, and
Mr. Coler's intimate personal friend after
long talk with Mr.. Mclaughlin said guardedly
that the Brooklyn organization couId not an
nounce its attitude toward the Controller until
il became plain that he a candidate, but
thar Kings County was very friendly TO him.
That was taken 10 mean that the organization
will support Mr. CoIer If IT does many think he
will win despite any combination Croker may
make If Kings County does not support him
then Croker VIII win. so it is generally believed
The belief however, among the Democratic
noliticfaus is that Mr.. Coler didn't take this
present stand until he had the assurance Of those
in power that Kings County was with htn17>
Those who believe this also think that Mr.
Croker VIII know this and realize that he can
not win without Kings County, and so decline
TO fight and make terms.
There are 4Jo delegates to the Convention
Those who have poIed the State place ls0 as
sure for Coler and 1T9 as sure for Croker
candidate This leaves 81 doubtful, includlng
the 80 votes from Kings County 1t takes 20
votes 70 nominate so that whatever way Kings
goes so viii the nomination go. Coler u sald
to be strong in the State, and upstate Demo
Gratis say that If Croker does win over NC
Iaughlin and Kings County and defeat Coler
for the nomination. any candidate ne names
win be slaughtered merciIessly up the state IN
retaliation From al along the line come re-
ports Of the bitterest kind Of a night between
nm and Croker no matter whether Coler wins
or loses.
TRANSFERRED TO SARATOGA
The fight Will be transferred to Saratoga this
week Most OF the Tammany men are there
already Many Kings County leaders are now
Al this resort, and more will go UP this week
Ex-senator Hill and other upstate leaders will
also gather for the meeting Of the State Com
rnittee on Thursday. The primaries wifi be
held on August IS and it Is said that the at
+ftude Of Kings viii be somewhat uncertain
iii after this. II delegates favorable TO Coler
are elected it would seem many politicians
think 70 indicate the certainty of his nomina-
ffon Mr. Coler has not appealed to any ma
chine or any leader but has gone 10 the people
dtrsrtIv and so the result of the primaries viii
he watched with interest