The evening times., 1900-05-14
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

Croker Gets "A setbaek.-Discourag
ing news has reached Washington concern
ing the Hon. Dick Croker. His broken leg
has suffered another twist. and Croker may
not be able to return TO America in time
to set things right for Bryan at the New
York State Convention on June 5. The
Tammany chieftain sent word a month ago
that he would return by May 20. 70 make
Il by that time he should now be on the
raging main At last accounts he was en-
joying himself on his recently acquired En-
glish estate. TammaGy does not seem 10
be doing anything in the line of prepara
tion for the June convention. Former Sen
ator Hill and other upstate leaders ep-
pear TO be doing all of the preliminary
work 1t is possible. of course. that Crok-
er may be home IN time TO attend the
convention, but unfit he does come or is
sues orders it Is stated that Tammany viii
not think Of making any move. Still.
CrokeF's habit Of getting on the ground at
the last moment, hastily and comprehen-
sively grasping the situation and issuing
orders. is well known to the Tammany
braves. and IL is said that for this reason
they are not worrying At the same time
some persons who are not memb-r5 Of
Tammany are worrying about Croker. 1t
is reported that Senator Jones, Chairman
OF the Democratic National Committee,
asked young Mr. ColeF, who was in
Washington Saturday, If he knew anything
more about CrOker's purposes than had
been published by the newspapers. and that
aside from assuring the Senator that the
Tiger at present is exungulated Mr.. CO,er
was unable to vouohsafe any Ieassuring in
NHaNNam Il l. l.
Croker nearly a year ago pledged Tam
many to Bryan. and the presumption is
that If he were at home when the Conyea-
ton meets he would see 10 IL that the dele
gstiOn TO Kansas City was instructed for
the NebTaskan. Hill takes advantage OF
every opportunity to declare the belief
that Mr. Bryan will be rSnominated but
he has never been cOaxed into declaring for
instructions for Bryan at the New York
State Convention. Hence the anxiety over
CrokeT's movements is natural
Army Reorganization BiII--The poi-
iticians in the Army staff had Geld Gay
Saturday. The House was not in session.
and the members of that body were but
tonholed and badgered in lively fashion
from early morn until late at night by the
soldier politicians and their supporters,
male and female. in Washington. The So
called Reorganization bill. which PASSED
the Senate by such an overwhelming ma
jOTity, appears to have struck sRag in
the House. Some members OF the House
are rude enough to insinuate that the re
organization" begins and ends with the
promotion Of the AdjUtant General beyond
all requirements of modern scientific BliIi-
tary administration. and that but for this
sole object a bill styled reorganization
by its promoters never would have Eeen
urged at this session OF Congress 1t is
true that the measure carries a promotion
Of the Major General Commanding the
Army one grade, but il is very well IN
derstood this this provision is merely a sop
to the opposition. IL IS pointed out by
students Of military organization in the
House that there is not one provision in
the bill looking to the benefit OF the line
CT the Army. And still the measure has
the high-sounding and comprehensive title
CT reorganization. The officers of The
line are way over in the Philippines fight
ing or sWeitering under the tropical sun
IN Cuba and Porto Rico or cOoped up in
stufy little frontier posts. 1t is said that
this class of gallant gentlemen have rot
been consulted about the reorganization /"
proposed by their masters on the staff in
" dS0lnStOn, ana II IS very We'll understood
that life would be made extremely IN
pleasant for them by their masters here
If line officers should dare protest against
the legislation which the Administration
Is trying to force through Congress with
the sole view of promoting a few favorites
, on the stan When the Senate bill gets
before the House for consideration il is
stated that Representative McClellln of
New York. the son OF the famous solder
sr-Hr -. E.Na
the staff. Will make q fight for the officers
of the line. 1t is believed that he $ cap
able Of making some revelations concern
ing the administration Of the Army. and
particularly as TO how the stan lords il
over the line, which will have a beneficial
effect That he will succeed in at least
pO5tpOning action on the bill is considered
highly probable Indeed. il is thought 10
be possible for him to kill the measure
outright and thus leave to the next-Con-
gress the work OF reorganiZing the Army
in fact as well as in name.