New-York tribune., 1900-08-17
CROKER is IN CONTROL.
HILL LOSES N THE FIRST TEST OF
STRENGTH.
COMMITTEE AT sARATOGA-THE
BREACH WIDENED.
EBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE,

the State becoming r6SuVe UQOST
the attempt of Richard Croker. through his con-
1rol Of Tammany Hall patronage to act the
master Of the Democratic party in this State.
They showed their feeling concIusively at the
meeting Of the Democratic State Committee here
to-day by endeavoring under the lead Of David
2. Hill 70 name Mayor James K. MCGUIRE Of
Syracuse. an upstate Democrat, independent
Of Tammany Hail. as temporary chairman Of
the Democratic State Convention. which. it was
determined. is meet here on Septern Der IL
Mr.. Croker, was TO be expected, resented
this cruel plot TO depose him as the Democratic
leader in this State The Boss put forward
Thomas F Grady who criticised Mayor Nc
CURE bitterly for declaring in an interview that
he favored the nomination Of Bird S Coler for
Governor. In Mr.. Grady's opinion, Mr.. MCGUIRE,
as chairman of the Executive Committee Of the
Democratic State Committee, should have shown
no preference among the candidates for the
nomination for Governor.
Evidently Mr.. Croker believed that Mr. Hill
and the rural Democrats were endeavoring to
take possession OF the machinery of the Demo-
cratic State Convention in advance Of its meet
ing and make the way smooth for the nonina-
tion of Mr. Coler for Governor, for he made
desperate resistance to the scheme 10 make Mr.
Mcclure temporary chairman OF the Convention.
and finally defeated it. Mr.. Hill and his allies
said afterward that only patronage defeated the
Mcclure resolution
Mr. Hill surprised Mr.. Croker In conjunction
with William F. Sheehan. Frank Campbell, Ell
Hot Danforth and other Democrats of influence
north Of the Harlem River he formed a comb-
nation late last night at the Grand Union Hotel
which they thought would control the Demo-
cratic STAKE Committee all controverted mat
Eers when it should meet to-day. An aggressive
move was planned. namely, TO have the State
Committee formally select Mayor Mcguire as
sernporarv chairman 1t was expected that the
Tamrnany Hall and the Kings County Demo-
Gratis would oppose the adoption of this propo-
Eition. but Mr.. Hill and his allies were, never
Eheless. confident of its adoption.
Such a victory would demonstrate that the
rural Democrats and their friends were in con-
troll of the State organization. Bird S. Coler,
after such a defeat of Tammany Hall, could be
pushed forward rapidly a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for Governor. Then
would the Democratic State Convention in
September with Mr.. Mcclure in charge OF the
proceedings. before a permanent chairman
should he elected If there should be any dis
putes over credentials, any contesting delega-
tions. Mr.. Mcguire. while acting fairly and
justly. could defend the interests of the Demo
Gratis desiring nominate Mr.. Coler for Gov
ernor.
A DARING SCHEME.
It a daring scheme and it nearly sue
ceeded. But Mr.. Croker, already stated, put
up Thomas F. Grady. the ''Sver Tongued," TO
make a speech and gain time and then had his
followers hustle about the committee room and
do some effective missionary work Mr.. Hill lost
the votes of four members Of the State Com
Tnittee upon whom he depended The test vote
showed twenty-three members following Mr..
HilTs leadership; twenty-six members following
that Of Mr.. Croker. and member not voting,
who acknowledged that he had promised to vote
for Mr., MCGUIRE for temporary chairman. Mr..
Hill said that Perry Belmont. of Babylon; ]. ].
Beaudry, Of Yonkers; Clarence A. Rundall. Of
Brewsters and P Conway, of Auburn, had all
said they would vote for Mr.. MCGUIRE Their
votes would have given him majority.
Mr.. Belmont frankly acknowledged he had said
he would vote for the proposition to make Mr..
MCGUIRE the temporary chairman. but had
changed his opinion soon as he saw il was a
subject of dissension in the committee Mr.
Beaudry said he young and inexperienced
in politics" and he had promised 10 vote for Mr..
MCGUIRE when unaware that such vote would
be displeasing his Tamnlany Hall neghbors
with whom he desired to keep on good terms
He therefore begged to be excused from voting
Mr.. Rundall was said 10 have given a pledge
when elected a member Of the Democratic State
Committee 2 few months ago that he would act
with Mr. Hill and against Mr.. Croker on all
disputed affairs which might come before the
Democratic State Committee
Tammany Hall patronage said David B Hill
warmly when the vote was announced. but at
least some rural members of the State Commit
tee in alliance with Tammany Hall have been
smoked out and we shall know just what TO do
In their Senate districts hereafter"
The political day opened pleasantly. No one
could have suspected that such a Democratic
storm was about to break Mr.. Hill and Mr.
Croker both attended a meeting of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Democratic State Com
Enittee in Parior OF the Grand Union Hotel
Ia an apparently harmonious condition OF mind
At Il o'clock in the morning. Mr. MCGUIRE. as
chairman OF the committee, gave an account Of
his work in behalf Of the Democratic party thus
far, and both Mr. Hill and Mr. Croker ex-
pressed approval Of his plans. Then, on motion
Df Norman E Mack, resolution was passed ap-
proving heartily of Mr.. McGuire's work and his
plans The Democratic State Committee met
at u o'clock in the ballroom of the Grand
Union and 10 that place Mr. Hill and Mr..
Croker went, to all appearances, in the same
peaceful state Of mind Mr.. Hill had the proxy
OF Robert Hamilton, Mr.. Croker that of Law
renee Delmour and William T. Sheehan that of
Jacob Gerling, OF Rochester
When the committee was called 20 order Mr..
Hill moved that the Democratic State Conven-
ton TO be held in Saratoga on September IL
This motion unanimously adopted. Arthur
A Mclean, Of Newburg moved that d COM
Fnittee Of three be named TO discover basis Of
representation for Senate district conventions
IN the Isl District. Senator Grady fought for
the immediate appointment Of the committee
This done, and Senator Grady. Mr.. Nc
Lean and Air- Sheehan efterward made report
giving Richmond County sixteen delegates and
Suffolk County only fourteen delegates Every
thing still looked peaceful when Elliot Dan
forth offered a resolution naming Mayor Nc.
Guire as the temporary chairman of the coming
State