New-York tribune., 1901-12-26
BELMONT MAY SUE CROKER
THINKS THE BOSS HAS MADE A LIBEL
LOUS STATEMENT ABOUT HIM.

| CROKER SAYS IF HE HADN'T INTERFEREL
| IN WITH DISTRICT FIGHT THE GRAND
JURY WOULD HAVE HAD TO.
The fight for the regular Democratic nomina-
tion for Congress in the With District led yes
terday to an attack upon Perry Belmont by
Richard Croker, who declared that he had in
terfered to prevent the grand jury from inter
fering. intimatng that Mr. Belmont's methods
of seeking the nomination needed investigation
Mr.. Belmont replied that he would bring per-
sonal suit for libel against Mr.. Croker if the
statement alleged to have been made by Mr..
Croker confirmed by him
Mr. Croker was at the Democratic CluD early
in the day, and was asked about Mr.. Belmonts
charge of interference in the With District fight.
"All l have to say he replied is that the
only interference 1 did was Mr.. Belmonts
own good. If somebody had not interfered IN
the matter the grand jury would have mad to
Interfere
The Tammany leader was disinclined to say
more about the fight. but when his attention
was called to statement that Mr.. Belmont
did not want TO be considered Croker can
didate he said, with show of anger:
That statement is not true. Belmont has
been here to see me a hundred times. and he
cannot deny it. He wanted my support in the
way. He was here morning. noon and
night. why. he nearly bothered me to death
about his candidacy. That is all 1 10 say
in reply TO his remarks. The pubic can Judge
the rest for themselves"
Indignation over Mr. Croker's remarks Was
manifested at Mr. BeInont's headquarters in
the Astor House, early in the afternoon, and
Mr. Belmont dictated the following reply to
Mr. Croker:
Nj Croker's statement that he han snterfered
I had infFrfered
grand jury would is of such character it requires
In the first place. the vague charge about the
an evening newspaper ot yesterday, tnat had oo-
tained my nomination by the use of money. on
for libel. There is more excuse for newspaper
printing general gossip even If II IS unounded and
az the head OF a great political organz3tion and II
evening papers I shall institute proceedings for
libel against him personally.
Mr. Crokers statement that he saw me over
one hundred times morning. noon and night; never
so bothered by a man in my life. IS as false as
me politically. I visited the Democratic Club alto
was not 10 ask for his support. which l could not.
under any circumstances. have expected, owing 70
Mr.. Croker is well known, have long been
strained. because as a Democrat | have not % @ ap-
Nevertheless. l recognized him as a Democrat in a
York city My purpose was to assure myself that
what he had told me and what he had told my
that he would maintain that position.
made me SUSPECT his good faith. The reason why
I was willing TO meet him at all upon this matter
member of the State Committee. that he would
resign, and It was suggested to me 70 be his sue
that OF his delegation had not been assured of
reason to expect his active opposition. As Demo-
crat naturally desired to have harmony Of Demo
cratic action In any nominatlon and neinE as
stIred the support of the Richmond County dele
ton from any Democratic organization IN Man
haitian t',n tnts object in view conferred with Mr..
Croker repeat, not for the purpose Of securing
his support. but in order that might he assured "a
nv nomination. as I felt that it was not worth
lion which might result in the defeat of the Demo-
cratic nominee.
It was said at Mr.. Belmont's headquarters
that preparations for active campaign were
in progress with the understanding that Mr.
Belmont was the regular Democratic nominee.
The Board of Elections will be asked to-day to
issue a certificate to Mr.. Belmont At the same
time there will be a demand for certificate for
Councilman Joseph F. OCirady- Whichever
wav the Board of Elections decides there will
he an appeal to the courts and Mr.. Belmont's
friends saw he will carry the case to the highest
court.
Police Commissioner Murphy had a talk with
Mr. Croker yesterday. and later said he thought
Mr.. O'Grady would be declared the regular
Democratic nominee. In the Manhattan end of
of much excitement over the contest Politicians
were so busy eeCtioneering that they seemed TO
forget the day a holiday. Some of them
waited outside churches to seek pledges from
political associates
It was said in the district that If Mr.. Belmont
gained the regular party nomination there would
be an independent Democratic candidate in the
person of Fritz Lindinger. and the Democratic
vote in the district would be split
Montague Lessler, the Republican candidate
in the With Congress District apparently was
not working on the holiday. There was q report
that he would open headquarters yesterday IN a
hotel in Chambers-st., but 1t was said at the
hotel that he had not engaged rooms there
The Republicans of Staten Island are to make
a protest against granting certificate of nomi-
nation to either Belmont O'Grady, on the
ground that the Democratic nominating conven-
tions were both irregular. Two points in the
protest are the following:
"First-There was no proper and legal notice
given of the Democratic primaries.
"Second-That the So-called primary, one for
the entire borough, was held in the office of for
mer Sheriff Augustus ACker, without booths or
provisions for a secret ballot; that it was open
onlv from 4:30 p. m. until . p. m; that as
result of these alleged Irregularities ~ per cent
of the votes cast were by off1ceholders and the
mass of the voters had no chance to record their
choice for delegates.
THREE NEGROES KILLED.
i..,o pock Ark Dec 25-Three negroes were