New-York tribune., 1900-07-11
MIR. CROKER's PRECURSOR.

Mr. Croker was trfe late in devoting him
self to the study of the silver question and
kindly giving the people his assurance on the
honor of a gentleman and a statesman that "the
"diStruSt which some persons have Of silver
proceeds from ignorance" His sudden zeal as
a new convert and his extreme readiness to
teach what he has Just learned about the vir-
tues of 18 to / highly creditable to him,
but lack the merit of originality so essential to
the reputation of a great political leader. We
should hesitate to suggest that Mr.. Croker bor-
rowed the idea of coming back from a National
convention in the guise of n political economist
enlightened by research on a subject about
which he and his neighbors had previously been
in entire ignorance, and yet his declaration has
a familiar sound. 1t seemed to us so like some
thing we had known before that turned back
to the remarks of NewYOrk delegates when
they came home from Chicago in 1896 after
their attempt under the leadership of Tam
many and Hill, to secure the adoption OF the
gold plank recommended by their State Con
ventiOn. Among them we found this gem from
the lips of ex-Judge John D. Lynn, of Monroe
County:
When my party in solemn convention does an
act IT cannot err. am going to vote the ticket
l am glad to say that for the last few DAYS |
have been studying up on the subject and 1 find
that the silver men are right, and I am sur
L DeTOTe.
man who will read either side of the question
with fair industry is bound to be bimetallist.
that is, a silver man. Silver is a very seductive
metal, and can understand now why the devil
took silver to corrupt Judas When the dele
gates from New York State return they will be
busy for several weeks apologizng to their con-
stituents for misrepresentng them, for il is safe
to say that nine-tenths of the Democrats of
New-York are primarily in favor OF bimetallic
coinage upon the old standard.
Mr.. Lynn is not known to fame, like Mr..
1l,o4 {e II,o
ing him credit as the pioneer in this method OF
acquiring new political convictions Therefore
we do our part in rescuing his utterances from
oblivion. Mr.. CrOker's declaration-"Th dis
trust which some persons have of silver pro-
"ceeds from ignorance; they think it is a sort of
"bugaboO when they study the question thor
"oughly they Will vote for Bryan"-is somewhat
more terse and laconic, as becomes a stern
Spartan leader of large responsibilities Mr.
Lynn, however, is fresher and more interesting
in style. We do not think his method has been
improved upon by his more distinguished fol
lower. He right in saying silver is
very seductive metal" He surrendered TO the
charms with precipitancy which showed q
warm heart and must have endeared him to
his mistress. The more phegmatic lovers. like
Mr. Croker, who after four years are filled with
belated wonder that they did not discover the
beauties of silver before may be tolerated bur
are not likely to supplant him in favor. 1t
looks too much If they were merely carrying
out his prophecy that they would be apologizing
10 their constituents for misrepresenting them
through all these years. Mr. Croker ought to
hunt up Mr.. Lynn and take lessons on climbing