New-York tribune., 1900-08-16
KNIVES OUT AT SARATOGA.
BOTH CROKER AND HILL SAY THERE
WILL BE NO FIGHT.
OTHER DEMOCRATS. HOWEVER. THINK DIFF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR THE STATE
COMMITTEE MEETING TO-DAY.
[pY rELEeRAPH 70 THE TRIBUNE.

Saratoga n Y, Aug 15-Davd B. Hill and
Richard Croker have both professed purpose
of acting In a peaeeable manner tomorrow at
the meeting Of the Democratic State Committee
Yes" said well known Democratic leader
when he heard this news, "and both Mr.. Hill
and Mr.. Croker like Chinese juggiers. viii have
| knives up their sleeves"
So far as knives go. they were displayed un-
reservedly by the followers of both Democratic
chIeftains all day to-day. Mr.. Hill was threat
ened with political death up State by the follow
erB OF Mr. Croker, while Mr.. Hills friends de-
| clared that Mr.. Croker's grip on New-York City
would soon be assailed through the organization
| of rival Democratic organization to that of
| Tammany Hall.
| A large body OF members Of the Democratic
| State Committee and of the Democratic county
| committees took part in the angry discussions
| over Mr. Hills and Mr. Croker's leadership.
| Late in the evening there were signs that the
| two factions of Democrats would probably
| agree to dispatch the business of calling the
| meeting of the Democratic State Convention
| without conflict OF a serious nature tomorrow.
| Albany and Saratoga Democrats both desire the
convention Probably Saratoga will be selected
as the place in which the convention will meet.
The date will be September II. or one week later
than that Of the Republican party.
There was a general statement, however, that
there would be a contest at the State Convention
over the nomination for Governor
Mr.. HiH's followers said they should seek
everywhere in the state to elect delegates favor
able to the nomination of Bird 8. Coer This
announcement was interpreted a formal dec
laration that an attempt would be made to gain
delegates favorable to Mr.. Coler's nomination in
the county where he lives. and not wait for any
formal statement by Hugh Mclaughlin to his
attitude. In word. Mr.. Mclaughlin was to
have chance to send word to Mr.. Croker that
there was such popular support for Mr.. Coer in
Kings County that he himself would be com
PEELED to support him. In New-York City also,
and in the interior of the State. advantage would
be taken of the Primary Reform law to put
forth efforts to obtain edegates to the State Con-
vention favorable to Mr. Coler's nomination
for Governor.
COLER STILL UNFORGIVEN.
Mr. Croker did not change his attitude of op-
position to the proposal to nominate Mr.. Coler
He cannot forgive Mr.. COers article on Com
mercialism in Politics" Besides, there is the
subsidiary thought that he gave his consent, at
Mr.. McLauehlin's suggestion, to the nomination
OF Mr.. Coler for Controller Of New-York City in
1897. Mr. Coler, he views it, has shown in
gratitude in assailing him (Croker), and espe-
cially at this time. 1t a causeless attack,
in his opinion. All Of Mr.. Crokers followers
dwelling upon the impossibility of nominating
Mr. Coler for Governor after this personal at
tack.
Mr.. Croker's intention Of opposing Mr.. Coler's
nomination was clearly shown to-day, when he
said to a friend: Il favor the nomination of
upstate Democrat for Governor" Plainly If
an upstate Democrat is to be nominated Mr..
Coler is ruled out, since he lives in Kings
CcuTty,.Alr. Croker added that it imma-
teFialbte him what upstate Democrat was NOM
inated!fdyThis announcement especially
cheering to the friends of Senator Mackey. of
Buffalo 1tsho think he will have Mr Crokers
suppaSD tssthe nomination for Governor.
David 1B Hill arrived here from Albany early
this afternoon. in company with Frank Camp
bell of Bath, the chairman Of the Democratic
State Committee; ex-Assemblyman Frank P.
Demarest, Of Rockland and Charles P Bacon
Of New York. Mr.. Hill took room and Parlor
430 at the Grand Union Hotel and there all
through the afternoon and evening received a
large number Of visitors. Mr.. Hill had evidently
been at work gathering up the reins Of political
power in this State which he dropped when he
went to Washington as Senator. for many of
his old political lieutenants were in the crowd
that called upon him, including w. F. Sheehan
There was not a Hill Democrat in Saratoga to-
day who was not talking publicly or privately
in favor Of Mr. Coler's nomination
COLER WOULD HELP BRYAN.
Elliot Danforth said "It seems TO me apparent
committees that they are favorable to Mr. Coler
The strongest point they make is that Mr. Coler's
personal popularity is great that he would
bring thousands of votes to the Democratic
ticket. and thus aid Mr.. Bryan.
The chairmen tell that the Democrats
are united and enthusiastic for Bryan and that
they are confident that Bryan can carry. the
State II Coler is nominated I have reason 10
believe, too. that Bryan's friends throughout
the country view the situation in the same way
I do not know that Bryan has made any de-
mand for Coler's nomination, or interfered in
any way in New-York State politics but I do
know that his most earnest supporters think
it would be wise to put the Controller at the
head of the State ticket"
The Hill men calling the attention of
their fellow Democrats to-day to the action of
the Democrats OF the Ist Assembly District of
Oneida County in passing resolutions In favor
of the nomination Of Mr. Coler for Governor
Mr. Danforth. commenting upon this action.
said Samuel A Beardsey is the leader in
that county, and he was with Mr. Croker at the
Syracuse convention In 1895"
AND DANFORTH LAUGHED.
Mr.. Danforths attention was called to the
circumstance that the delegates of several
counties had been instructed TO support him
Danforth for Governor. In reply he said that
the delegates of these counties would now sup
port Mr.. Coler for Governor. Late in the even
ing the supporters of Mr.. Croker were saying
that they were willing to support Mr.. Danforth
for Governor.
Mr. Danforth laughed when told that the
Croker Democrats were thus expressing them
selves friendly 10 his nomna ton, and evil
IDENTIFY thought that this sudden friendship for
himself merely 1evice of Mr. Croker TO
prevent votes in the Democratic State Conven-
~ Mr. HnIar T.