New-York tribune., 1901-02-18
CROKER MAY RETIRE.
THE WIGWAM DISTURBED OVER THE
COMING CAMPAIGN.
TAMNIANY LIKELY TO MAKE CONCESSIONS
To PUBLIC OPINION-CoLER's CHANCES
FOR THE NOMINATION.

FOR THE NOMINATION.
The Tammany leaders. from Richard Croker
down. getting ready for the municipal cam
paign this fail, and from outward indications
they seem TO realize almost TO a that they
are confronted with a condition that will admit
of no arrogance From a source within the or
ganizatiOn il learned yesterday that Mr..
Croker and his chief neutenants view the ap-
preaching election with a great deal of appre-
hension. In fact this authority said, Mr..
Croker and the members OF the Executive Com
mittee are SO disturbed that il has been decided
TO make considerable concessions to public opin-
ion: and while the old gang will still be in
troll. and fresh stalking horses will be put 20
the fore to deceive the public, an attempt Will
be made TO put veneer Of respectability
Tammany's actions from this tirne So far.
IN fact IL is said. do the leaders believe IL
sary TO cater to public opinion that tine cam
paign will be conducted apparently by fresh
hands. and Croker. Sullivan EngeL Carroll
whalen and others will stand In the shadow
OF course those men. whose influence in Tam
many is well known. will be the guiding spirits
IN the campaign but II is indicated that they
will keep quiet while il is in progress and such
men Lewis Nixon and Others who have no.
the record OF Croker. ScannelI. Sexton and Car
roll will be pushed 10 the front to do the talking.
THE POSITION OF COLER
The decision on the part Of Richard Croker TO
step aside and apparently let others run the
campaign has deceived some. II has brought
forth talk 70 the effect that Bird s. Coier is
be nominated and that this is upset for
Croker. responsible authority IN the organi-
zation said yesterday that Mr. COlers nOmina-
tiOn for Mayor possibility but not cer-
tainty. The Controller is anxious TO be named
In fact, Tammany man said yesterday,
"CoIer has promised be good if he be nomi-
nated.- A prominent Tammany leader said
that the Controller had recently made great
gains In the favor OF the Wigwam. and that
James ShevIin and Senator McCarren. the two
Brooklyn leaders who have in the past so Bit
terly opposed him. are now ready to support him.
Coler has many friends among the leaders IN the
Tammany organization. Fl. has always played
fair when patronage was TO be dealt out. and
has been regular in that line, they say. II
Croker should withdraw his hand it is said
COler could easily BE- nominated. IL is under
stood that strong influences within the OTganiza-
tiOn urging Croker 10 allow Coler TO be
named and these same influences stand ready
20 guarantee that Coer will be ION the level
with the organization. In fact there are those
who say that Croker is only pretending TO be
opposed 20 Coler. and that he intends at the
proper time 10 withdraw his opposition as an
apparent concession The loss of the city with
its enormous patronage would be terrible
blow To Tammany and even COler would be
better. from the Wigwam point of view. than
a Republican or a fusion Mayor. IL is said
that Coler and his friends believe that he can
win. When the Controller was seen yesterday
and asked in regard TO his candidacy, he said:
II am not bothering my head about it,"
The reports by cable about Croker's i'll health
and possible withdrawal from the leadership
he Of he q
In the background in the coming campaign, and
are in a line with bosss own ideas. IL is now
said that he will come home some time early in
the summer and stay here until the campaign is
ended His return TO this country will be
watched with great deal of interest. because
Tammany is practically split in twain John
F. Carroll John r. Sexton. Mayor Van Wyck
and that clique are in almost open rebellion
against John WhaIen and his following. The
struggle at present is over who shall De Police
Commissioner under the new law. From pres
ent indications Carroll. Van Nyck and Sexton
will he routed II is understood that the over
throw Of Deverv and the uphoIding of York were
the price Willoughby Street demanded Tor con-
tnued support Of Tammany. All g.: thlS Is
taken To mean that the Broohlyn organization
which now that McCarren and Shevln are rec
onciet is most friendly tC CO!er, is to have a
strong voice in the nomination for Mayor. and
that CoIer's chances are therefore excellent
CROKER's POSSIBLE PLAN.
There are those who 80 50 far as to say that
Croker will then return TO this country. say that
he is not physically able To carry on the cam
paien. and retire and have another leader Sc
Iected Others say that trick will be played
to deceive the public: that Croker Will appar-
entity be defeated in the Executive Committee
resign the leadership and allow another leader
10 he. named continuing 10 control things from
behind a screen, however
This is all guessworS as yet, but one fact
seems 10 stand out clearly. and that lis that
Tammanv intends 10 cater to public opinion
this fall both in nominations. in the manner or
conducting the campaign. and in protestations
as 10 better deeds 10 come. Among the possible
successors of MIR. Croker in the event of his re-
tfrauent Juhu +. Carroll. Lewis Nixon, John
WhaIen. Lawrence DelmOur. John W. Keller
and John r. Sexton are prominently mentioned