The sun., 1900-08-09
COLER AIMING AT CROKERi
SAYS SOME SHARP THINGS ABOUT
MAkING MONEY OUT OF POLITICS.

Ana "Opens Them with Mr.. Croksrp Il An
working for Ny Pocket All the Time"
Politicians Infer That He Doesn't Expect
Croker viii support Him for Governor.
Comptroller Coler contributed to the current
number Of the Independents an article on Com
mercialism In Politics. In which he says that
the great danger which threatens this country
to-day Is the use Of political machines by
their managers for the furtherance OF their
personal ends and the lining Of their own
pockets. Mr.. Coler begins his article by quot
ing the statement made by the Hon Richard
Croker. Chieftain Of Tammany Hall, before the
Mazet Investigating Committee last spring.
when Mr.. Croker said: II am working for my
own pocket all the time
Politicians who read the article declared that
the Comptroller had aimed II directly and per-
sonally at the Tammsny ohieftain. Mr.
Coer does not mention any names, and he said
yesterday that his article was q purely aca-
demio production aimed a. much at the Re-
publican organization "A at Tammany Hall. and
aimed at neither Of them in particular.
Beginning with the quotation OF Mr.. Crokers
historic phrase Mr.. Coer goes on TO say that
hundreds Of thousands OF men classed a good
and honest citizens regard politics for
revenue as legitimate and honorable a.
the buying and selling Of dry goods
or groceries. He decrics what he calls the
invasion Of politics by eommercialism. says
that craftsmanship has been subordinated to
personal interest. and that the halls Of legisla-
ture and the courts have become places where
law or Judgments may be bought by the highest
bidder. Mr.. Coler says that it Ia an easy matter
to make tho specifications Of contracts such that
the work can he placed where II will do the most
good for the party In power. and then he says
Place . thoroughly organized party or
faction In absolute cont rol of every department
OF great city like New York. and that power
and individuals. and TO crush every legitimate
business that refuses to engage In questionable
transactions with the representatives of the
man whose word is the law"
Mr. Coler says that the chief beneiciarles Of
what he calls "commercialism IN politics, owe
their immunity from exposure and punishment
Then he makes the following observations:
There are men in New York and Others in
almost every large city In the country receiving
s 81 pa
suggestion that they were dishonest. They
have simply engaged In the business OF politics
ana are making "a out OF what they can Win
to say where business ends and blackmail
begins;
the corporations OF any great State OF the Union
could be exposed there would follow political
revolution In that State
THE conscience OF politician can thrive on
subterfuge and false reason ng and he can
speculate In the stock OF a friendly corporation
while boasting that he Is faithful puolio ser
want"
Mr. Coler has had great many controver-
sies with the Tammany members OF the city
government Among the men whose advice
he seeks in political matters Is David b. Hill.
and II has been said frequently that MIR. Coler
was Mr. HIS candi date FOR tho Democratic
nornn alton for Governor this fall. Mr.. Coler
says that he is not a candidate for Governor.
and that he would accept the nomination only
in case the Ramapo Water Company charter
should be made the main issue In the campaign.
Mr.. Coler cannot get the nomination without
the consent OF Mr.. Croker, and II is suspected
that he doesn't Expect that
Some OF MIR. Coler's friends In Brooklyn said
yesterday that there was danger OF a break In
the relations between Tammany Hall and the
Kings county. organization over Mr.. Coler. The
Brook oklyntes believe. they say. that MIR. Coler
running on his record as chief financial officer
OF this city could be elected Governor. and they
declare that Tammanv's refusal to accept Mr..
Coer means that Mr.. Croker is not anxious for
Democratic success in the State, Tammany
Hall men said last night when they were asked
whether there was a possibility Of a row be-
tween their organization and the Kings county
organization. that they did not believe the
leaders in BROOKLYN would want to fight so long
as the leaders of the old city OF New York con.
trolled all the patronage.