New-York tribune., 1900-08-10
CONTROLLER SEES HILL.
GROWING CONVICTION THAT MR.. COLER IS
READY TO FIGHT CROKER IF
THE BOSS WANTS WAR.

THE BOSS WANTS WAR.
Ex-senator David B. Hill was in the city for
several hours yesterday. He up from
Normandie- -the-Sea early in the day, and
went to Albany at o'clock. In the course of
his stay in the city Mr.. Hill had long talk with
Controller Coler. After this conference all sorts
of rumors were started but both Mr.. Hill and
the Controller as retcent as the Sphinx.
One of the stories was that Mr.. Hill had decided
to surrender absolutely to Croker. and allow
him TO control the State Convention, frame
platform. nominate candidates and run the cam
paign. When Mr. Hill was asked about this he
declared that he had never made any such
statement. Another story was to the effect that
Hill and Coler had decided to come out into the
field and give Croker battle, and that Coler
would be an avowed candidate for the nomina-
tion for Governor and fight it out with Croker
in the convention. This was also denied.
1t was learned from a trustworthy source,
however that the talk between Mr.. Hill and
Mr.. Coer of purely tentative character.
They are both, it is declared, satisfied with the
way things going, and have concluded to let
matters drift for the time. 1t is known, how
ever, that Mr.. Coer is becoming somewhat res
tive under the repeated attacks made upon him
by certain politicians in Saratoga popularity
credited with voicing the sentiments of Mr..
Croker, and that this irritation and resentment
will do than anything else to make him
allow his name to be used as a candidate for
Governor.
COLER READY TO FIGHT.
A friend of Mr. Coler said last night:
"Coler is out in the open. and if Croker wants
a fight he can have all that he wants. The Con-
troller has not sought this nomination, but if
Croker and his gang intend to try to play brute
politics and destroy Coler they may do so if
fhev Time will deveIoD the Sjtua tion
From friends of Mr.. CoIer it learned that
he stood to-day just where he has stood all
along. He isn't seeking the nomination, but he
will not be trampled under foot. Many Of his
friends have wondered why Senator Grady has
been issuing many manifestoes, which in
way slur and sneer at Mr.. Coler. prominent
Tammany leader last night told a story that ex-
planned this. 1t is said that when Mr. Coler
took office Senator Grady expected to reap
rich harvest by acting attorney for certain
persons who had claims against the city in the
Controllers office, but Mr.. Coler blocked this
scheme. It is declared that Mr.. Coler views
these attacks from Grady with perfect
equanimity, and does not believe that Mr..
Croker has finally decided to fight him.
After the defeat Of Augustus Van Wyck in
1898 Richard Croker made the statement at the
Democratic Club that Democratic candidate
for Governor could win in the State who was
believed by the up State Democrats TO be affli
ated with Tammany. The friends of Mr.. Croker
say that for this reason Croker, putting aside
what personal feelings he may have. would like
to have Coler nominated if he could do so with
cut supporting one who he believed would be
an implacabl enemy.
On the other hand, the friends of Mr.. Coler
point out that he has frequently consulted Mr..
Croker; that he has made all appointments
strictly in line with Tammanys wishes; that
he is a popular man among all the city Of
ficials and with the district leaders, and that his
only offence has been a desire to administer
the affairs of his office economically and hon
estly end a leaning toward the Hill faction.
The belief is general among the Democratic
leaders that all Croker wants is that he should
be considered. 1t is thought that Croker would
like Coler to say to him, practically: If am
Governor will deal squarely with the Tanmany
organization, as I have done in the Controllers
Office, and will use the office as a weapon
to fight Tammany." 1t is believed by many
that when the time comes such an understand
ing will be reached, Tammany will reluctantly
support Coler for the nomination.
COULD MAKE IT DIsAGREEABLE FOR
CROKER
On the other hand, it is pointed out that Coler
is ready for war if Croker makes that the al
tentative. 1t is declared by the Controllers
friends that if Croker decides against him and
starts in with his brutal methods to destroy
Coler, then the Controller will come out straight
and TO the point and fight. Even Mr.. Coler's
friends admit that Croker can defeat Coler in
the convention If he determines, but they
say Coler won't go down without an ugly
struggle, and that defeat there will not be the
end
1t is pointed out by these friends Of Mr. CoIer
that he has still some time to serve as Con-
troler, and that he could if he wished make
some nasty revelations and destroy many Tam
many games from his vantage point in the
campaign for Mayor next year and that Mr.
Coler as an independent candidate for Mayor
would be factor TO be counted upon. This is
all speculation and summer politics. but il in
dicates that the situation is critical
All or this talk presupposes that Coer will
De candidate for the nomination when the
proper time comes: 1t IS generally believed
among Democrats that he will enter the field
and that he is only waiting to see whether or
not he will have to go into an open fight with
the croker wing Of the party. Mr.. Hill said yes
ne was not a candidate the ex-senator was
convinced that should the nomination be offered
him, the Controller would not decline it. This
was taken a straw to indicate that CoIer
candidate When Mr.. Coer was asked bout
the conference yesterday. he said: Il have
nothing 70 say l am not talking about the
EoVernorship. ] always go to see Mr. Hill when
he is in town. There is nothing in that"
Mr. Hill told some friends that he had talked
with Mr.. Coler over the latter's candidacy, and
they had decided to let matters stand as thev
are for the present.
If Mr.. Coler shows strength in the convention
and is nominated think he will accept" said
the ex-senator
Bryan's Indianapolis speech. "I am through
with my vacation" he said Il left Normande-
by-the-Sea this morning / am going to Albany
You can quote me saying that"
Use f1nf