The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-12
CROKER WON NO LAURELS.
THAT is THE OPINION OF. MANY
WHO WE'RE At THE CONVENTION.

ing Throughout the Countryside
Also Had the satisfaction of Keep
ing Out of the Trap Croker, Mur-
ply, and other Tammany Men Had
Set for Hsm-How Hill was Once
Thrown Down by Tammany.
Washington. July 10-Pohtical warriors
returning from the battle at Kansas City
generally concur in the opinion that Mr..
Richard Croker did not win any Iaurels
in that memorable struggle. They concede
TO him unaccountable power a leader
of the Tammany forces. but they reject
him as a safe guardian Of the party's in
terests in national affairs.
Foxy David b. Hill improved his per-
sonal following in the Democratic party
throughout the country. and he also had
the personal satisfaction of keeping out
of the trap which Boss Croker and his
enemies in the New York delegation had
set for him. Experience with the Tam
many leaders had taught Mr.. Hin a lesson
which was a practical benefit to him at
Kansas City. He remembered how neatly
they tricked him at the State Convention
the last time they forced him to take the
gubernatorial nomination, and then pro
ceeded 10 put the knife TO him.
On of MIR. Hill's most intimate friends
related the circumstances connected with
that event, which should be interesting
reading in this connection. 1t will be re-
membered that Senator Hill had just COM
pleted his term in the United States Sen
ate, and when the State Convention came
on, he was selected as the permanent chair
man of that gathering. Up to that point
his name had not been mentioned in con-
nection with the g1lberna torial nomination,
and 1t was known throughout the state
that his first and last choice for that
honor was his personal friend, John boyd
Thatcher of Albany. The Tammany lead
ers, In conjunction with former Senator
Murphy and Burke Cochran, had knives
up their sleeves fob Mr.. Hill, and they did
not take kindly to the suggestion of John
Boyd Thatcher. During a recess of the
convention, before the head of the ticket
had been nominated, the leaders MENTION
ed, with Mr.. Hill, retired for consultation
Various names were mentioned but no
agreement was reached beyond definite
understanding to the effect that If choice
was not made by the convention on the
second ballot, all factions would unite in
support of Mr.. Hills choice, John Boyd
| Thatcher.
The indications were favorable to Mr.
| Thatcher In the opinion of Mr.. HILL and
he retired from the conference to see what
he could do to prevent nomination on the
first or second ballot The conspirators,
however, took advantage of his absence to
make arrangements to block any game he
might attempt to play. When the conven-
ZION reassembled and nomin tons were in
order, the brilliant Bourke Cochran who
was then in good standing with the Tam
many chiefs, arose and nominated Mr.
Hill
The latter, as chairman of the conven-
tions tried TO check the stampede, but the
| appeal that Mr.. Cochran made and the
claim that he set up TO the effect that Mr..
Hill was the logical candidate and the only
man in the party who could bring success
to the ticket, carried the convention off
its feet, and despite all the protests of Mr.
Hill, he was forced to take the nomina-
ton and subsequently submit to defeat.
Mr.. Hill remembers that occasion and
he never has and never will forgive the
| men who imposed upon him then He
| returns to Wolfort's Roost with the con-
| ISOLATION that he received greater honors
| at the hands of the convention than any
OF the men who tried to huVniliate him.
one or the most conspicuous absentees
from Kansas City during the convention
was Senator Stewart of Nevada. For years
he has gloried in the title of the Free
Silver King" and the champion denouncer
of The crime of 49," Senator Stewart has
learned by bitter personal expert nee that
under existing conditions, free silver is
not profitable issue. Since the campaign
of 95, 1t is understood that he almost
exhausted his entire fortune in pursuing
the free silver craze and serving as the
financial hacker of newspaper called
THE Free Silver Knight"
Senator St-wart still admits his prefer
cree for the white metal but viewing the
situation from a practical standpoint, he
says it is idle to look for a rehabilitation
of silver so long as the Senate contains a
majority against 1t, a condition certain
to exist fer the next six years. Further
than this he says one of the strongest
claims put forward by the free silver
men in behalf of that metal was hat the
mines would not yield sufficient amount
of gold to furnish money to do the bust
ness of the United States. The unexpect-
eddy large production of gold has depriv-
ed that argument Of it's former value, and
he says there is no chance for free silver
in this country until the bottom drops
out of the prolific gold mines. The Sena-
tor takes more pleasure and probably de-
rives more profit from his stock farm in
Virginia than he can obtain by chasing
the free-silver will-'o-t he-wisp.
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