New-York tribune., 1900-08-11
THE FIGHT OVER COLER.
POSSIBLE RESULT IF CROKER DEFEATS
HIS NOMINATION-A RIVAL OR
GANIZATION TALKED OF.

Controller Coler went to Liberty yesterday
to remain over Sunday Before leaving the
city he declined once more TO discuss the sub
ject OF his possible nomination for the office OF
Governor. One significant fact yesterday was
that James Mcclure, chairman Of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Democratic State Com
mittee came out boldly for the nomination OF
the Controller. Mr.. Mcclure, who Is rated as a
Hill man. is nevertheless friendly with the
Croker faction, and in recent talk has been
guarded in referring to Mr., Coler.
Mr. Mcclure did not come to the city yes
terday, sending word that he would not be here
until next week His utterance regarding Mr.
CoIer. however. was considered extremely sig
nifcant by the local Democrats. 1t was taken
TO indicate that the Hill men are beginning to
drop all attempt at subterfuge and as a Hill
man said yesterday. come out into the open.
It is declared that Mr.. Hill and his followers
are ready to take issue with Mr.. Croker and
his followers now, and that Coler will be the
gage of battle. Mr.. Coler's consent TO this
struggle is said 10 have been secured con-
ditionally It is declared that Mr.. Coler agreed
10 be a candidate for Governor IL he could have
the support of Kings County and the Brooklyn
organization. The Kings County organization
is understood to be divided the question
Senator McCarren and James Shevlin are de-
clared to be against any such plan, and Johh
7 Shea who is one OF Mr. Coler's intimate
friends is said 10 be working for his indorse-
ment by the Kings County delegation In the
mean time Hugh Mclaughlin, the veteran
leader Of the Kings COUNT organization Is
fishing and saving nothing. It is intimated
however. that when the proper time comes he
and Mr. Hill will discuss the situation and de-
+arn,ine upon a policy and this, it is believed
will result in a determination to stand by Coler
The meeting of the Democratic State Com
rni+tAe in Saratoga on August 16 will be watched
with interest because it is believed that the TWO
factions will line up and test strength 1t Is
conceded even by Mr.. Coler's friends that
Croker can. if he wishes, overthrow Coler and
defeat him for nomination; but Mr.. Coler s
friends add What then?" and the answer Is
significant one 1t is simply that Coler and the
upstate nti-Tammany Democrats VIII start
q warfare against Tammany that will be irritat-
ing even If not destructive 1t is intimated that
if Mr. CoIer is turned down by Croker's mandate
a rival Democratic organization will be started
in this city next fall. All Of these possibilities
are being weighed in both camps, and it is
said that Mr.. Croker will Go a lot of heavy
thinking before he starts out to destroy Mr.
Coler.
1t was rumored yesterday that Controller
Coler had had conference with Ex-Governor
Stone who was in the city. Mr.. Stone, when
seen at the Hoffman House would neither con-
firm nor deny the report.
Frank Campbell, chairman Of the State Com
mittee. is expected in this city either to-day or
tomorrow morning There is more talk Of the
opening up Of National headquarters. EX-Gov-
ernor Stone said he had received word from
Senator Jones. but expected to hear from him in
a day or so. Mr. Stone said that Bryan's speech
was "a masterful effort" and would be con-
vincng to people who had not made up their
minds the question of imperialism
Secretary James Kerr Of the National Demo
cratic Congressional Committee visited the
State headquarters yesterday. He said that the
outlook for a Democratic series of victories for
Congressman was bright He thought the
alarm of the Republicans over Congress was
justified.