New-York tribune., 1901-03-07
MAKE CROKER DICTATOR.
COUNCILMAN CASSIDY SAYS QUEENS
DEMOCRATS NIGHT AS WE'LL
ANGRY OVER WESSELS'S
APPOINTMENT

The rank and file of Democrats In Queens
County bitterly resent the appointment OF
Charles c. Vessels Deputy Highway COM
missioner by Mayor Van Wyck yesterday. The
appointment was made the order OF Richard
Croker and against the protest Of Councilman
Joseph Cassidy. the legally qualified leader OF
the Democratic organization in Queens. Coun-
Gilman Cassidy said last night that as a result
of the appointment of Vessels. the Queens
County Democratic General Committee would
probably pass a resolution at its next meeting
doing away with the county organization and
designating Richard Croker as the head of the
Queens County organization which he in fact
seems to be.
Croker is a great shouter for organization, v
said Councilman Cassidy at his home. to a
Tribune reporter last night. "AIl his district
leaders arc schooled In the idea that patronage
and authority are to be dispensed through the
properly constituted leaders in the organization.
But in spite or what ne says he's using all sorts
of tricks to boost discredited men to places of
rover against the protests Of the duly ac-
credited district leaders. This is particularly
true IN Queens County. Vessels is not the
leader of Queens County and never has been.
The Democrats of Queens County last summer
elected me leader Of the organization, and moth
ing that Croker says will change the facts
Croker set out 70 recognize Vessels as leader
but he soon discovered that the people would
not stand for it.
1T is becoming very hard for the Democrats
of Queens to recognize Croker as the leader or
the Democrats of New-YOrk City. | haven't
ANYTHING against Tammany Hall as organi-
zation, but I am not afraid TO say that haven
any use for Croker. Croker used all the patron
age at his command against me last summer
and ! beat him out at that The patronage
amounts TO $500 600 a year, but II doesn't seem
to make much difference the honest Demo-
Gratis Of this borough whether it is used against
them or not They elevate to power the men
they want without regard to patronage
Vessels is not only unfit IN he leader. hut
he's what every loyal Democrat holds in aver
sioa-he's an migrate Nv friends ran him Tor
Senator in this district last year. and there was
every reason why he should have stayed with
me. Croker has grabbed him. however, and
made him deputy commissioner, | believe that
IT is bad precedent and bad policy for Croker
to do thing like that. II will react against the
man that sanctions IL We have very serious
intentions now Of passing a resolution doing
away with our local organization and leaving
Croker the supreme local dictator. l don't see
wiz We shouldn't do it. The organization counts
for httle when the legally qualified leader IS
completely ignored by Croker in the appointment
OF lo,al officials and the distribution OF local
What sort of shape does this leave the
Queens Democrats in for the municipal cam
paign?" the councilman was asked
Judge for yourself. In my opinion. Mr.. Gro
kerss carnpairn plans in this county UIlIs he
pretty wei demoralized. don't see how ne can
expect anything different
with the patronage Of the Highway Depart
ment N his disposal will Vessels defeat YOU
ald your friends at the next primaries me
councilman asked.
No" said he. The people know their friends
when they see them. Croker had all the patron
arc The last time and used il for all II
worth but it didn't win for him II will he
even worse next time
Vessels vas appointed and sworn In in the
Nayor's Office shortly after noon Yesterday. Al
though Croker has bolstered him up over and
over again he has not been able 10 defeat cas-
sidy in the primaries. Vessels succeeds the
late John ? Madden.