Evening star., 1901-10-09

man. Hill made him in politics. Hill in
duced BOSS" Mclaughlin of the Brooklyn
machine to urge his nomination at the con-
vention four years ago. Croker, who had
never heard of Coler at that time, had no
objections to raise 1t was not long before
he discovered that Mclaughlin, who is a
Hill man at heart, had tricked him and in
troduced a Hill man into his camp In dis
guiSe. Hence 1t became necessary to root
out Coler and Colerism, root and branch.
Hence it was that when Mclaughlin and
Barney York and Senator McCarren and
the other Brooklyn machine leaders were
pressing Croker night and day for the nom
ination of Coler thus hoping to satisfy their
constituents, for the popularity OF the con-
troller in Brooklyn cannot be questioned
Croker turned upon them with the eXcla-
nation:
For Heavens sakei Have you got only
one man in Brooklyn? Brooklyn can have
the nomination provided the man picked
sa tisfies me; but it can't be Coler."
Then it was that Shepard, the man who
has fought the Willoughby street machine
practically all his political life, was sprung
at the last moment as surprise and
compromise. A surprise he certainly has
proved-whether he will prove compro-
mise candidate remains to be seen. No one
can answer this until after the votes are
counted.
Why Shepard Was Chosen.
But why Shepard, when there were other
democrats in Brooklyn, is being asked by
the democratic politicians here who cannot
figure out what the ''old man" is up to to
save their lives. For the simple reason
that the Kings county organization from
Leader Mclaughlin down has always been
infected with Hillism. There is scarcely
Brooklyn politician who is not for Hill.
Kings county Is the most loyal Hill county
in the state. Not even HiHs own home
county, Chemung, or the county of his
ADOPTION, Albany, can compare with Brook
lyn borough.
Croker knows that il Shepard has had
bad words for the leader of Tammany Hall
in his mouth he has had perfect hatred OF
Hill in his heart. Shepard is the one DEM
ocrat in Kings-who has fought Hill con-
sistently and persistently. He was tower
of strength in stirring. up opposition to
Hills famous 'mid-winter convention
when, by snap methods, the former sena-
tor was trying to prevent the nomination
of Cleveland by the Chicago convention.
And Croker's game this fall is to prevent
the building up of Hill machine In this
city If Shepard is elected he may build
up a personal machine and to some extent
throw Croker overheard. But had Coler
been nominated and elected Croker would
city backed by all the powers of the
mayors office. If Shepard Is defeated the
Hill machine as a means to a Presidential
end may still be possibility in this city.
Croker VIII Work for Shepard.
Hence no matter what other democrats in
Greater New York may do, provided they
do not have a hatred Of Hill in their hearts,
Croker will do everything to bring about
Shepard's election that lies in his power.
he is raising the greatest corruption fund,
or so-called campaign fund, in the history
of the city, and If the republicans anu re-
formers do not speedily open their eyes the
phrase "Commercialism in politics" will
take on a new meaning. They will see
votes bought on a scale more gigantic than
ever before; they will see Tammany resort
to the most desperate tactics to win. And.
backed by the power Of the police, aided
by the brewers and the saloons, despite the
influence of the chamber of commerce and
the Merchants Association, despite the
high character and the undoubted cam
paigning abilities Of Seth Low it is not a
certainty that these tactics may not win.