New-York tribune., 1901-10-16
PEABODY WITH THE BOSS.
CITIZENS UNION BACKsLIDER GIVES
CROKER SOME POINTS on
CAMPAIGNING.


Edward NJ. Shepard visited his headquarters
IN the Hoffman House yesterday afternoon, TO
make further acquaintances among his Tam
many allies. The candidate once more demon
strated his facility and agility as a dodger. He
fatty refused TO answer any pertinent questions
relative 10 his campaign. He neatly rounded
all corners with, smile and an insinuating
THAT verges politics. and must decline to
discuss H." when asked any question he did not
like. Over in Brooklyn, early in the day. Mr..
Shepard lodged every question aimed at him.
and would not commit himself upon any issue.
He followed these tactics in Manhattan. A dis
gusted reporter. who had been rebuffed several
times when asking about the campaign with
II am afraid that verges politics and must
decline to discuss it," blurted out:
We'll Mr. Shepard, what do you think a mu
nicipal campaign in New-York is-politcs or a
strawberry festvaI?" To this impertinence Mr..
Shepard made no reply.
The Tammany men are now enthusiastic about
Shepard They say he is a good Tammany man.
They point with pride to the fact that he VIII
not say one word against the Sullivans. Deverys
and Sections. They gloat over the fact that he
has accepted Croker as a campaign manager.
They say he is all right with the organization
and Is going TO be good. They declare con-
hdently that Croker and Sullivan have got Shep-
ard in hand and that he has proved tractable'
They assert that they will have nothing to fear
from him if elected but that he will carry out
the plans and policies of Van Wyck The Tam
many men are much elated over the situation
PEABODY SEES CROKER.
The feature Of Mr.. Shepards appearance at
his personal headquarters yesterday afternoon
was the half hour conference which Richard
Croker had with George Foster Peabody, who
resigned from the Citizens Union to advocate
the election of A1r Shepard. Mr.. Peabody was
one OF the men who was on the list from which
the fusion mayoralty candidate was chosen by
the general conference. The spectacle OF MT
Croker earnestly talking with Mr.. Peabody ana
even touching Mr.. Peabody's arm in the course
of the conversation was remarked by the large
number of politicians who were in Mr.. Shep-
ards personal headquarters at the time The
affair became so conspicuous that an attendant
drew the curtain that hung between the room
and the alcove which Mr.. Peabody and Mr..
Croker occupied.
When they emerged Mr.. Peabody was asked
what the subject of their conversation was. He
replied:
"oh. the visit was only a social one. This is
the first time that have ever met Mr.. Croker.
What did you think OF tim?"
ooh, I think he is a forceful man. He must
be able TO do what he has done"
did you discuss the issues Of the campaign"
.'Oh, we talked on something like that. I told
Mr. Croker what lines thought the campaign
should be fought on. I thought that there
should be a general cleaning up"
did Mr.. Croker coincide with you?"
THE BOSS NOT ENTHUSIASTIC.
'IIe did not interpose any objection I told
him what the Committee of Fifteen had done
and what they thought of doing, I told him
that I was a member of that committee"
Did he believe what you said was the right
way TO go about IT this campaign"
He did not say, and did not ask him for
any certificate of opinion"
Mr. Croker was asked afterward what he
thought Of Mr.. Peabody. and he said he was
all right. Mr.. Croker was asked what they
talked about, and he replied:
"AIr. Peabody did all the talking. I forget now
what he did say"
Mr.. Shepard little late in reaching the
Hoffman House. He was cordially greeted by
lot OF Tammany leaders. and sat down at his
desk The first person to speak with him
Charles w. Dayton, Democratic candidate for
Justice of the Supreme Court in this county.
Mr.. Dayton and Mr.. Shepard talked for about
ten minutes. After that Mr.. Shepard presented
himself to the congregated newspaper men.
He was asked where he would speak next. He
said:
I speak tomorrow night in Brooklyn, and on
Thursday night l speak at Tammany Hail."
How do you like running for Mayor
There are many things" he said, Il like bet
ter; many things like better than interviews,
though 1 getting rather hardened TO inter
views. There is being photographed-that is
worse, even, that being interviewed"
rs il worse than looping the loop?'
Mr.. Shepard paid no attention TO this last
question, but looked annoyed
LOOK OUT! HERE'S a PROMISE.
did you ride on the streetcars or in cab in
coming TO the hotel?"
II rode in the elevated train" said Mr.. Shep-
ard. 'I rode in the streetcar yesterday. There
is one thing which think needs reforming, and
that is the congestion of the streets both in this
borough and in Brooklyn I found this extreme
ly annoying yesterday when I rode in a street
up Broadway 1 hope if elected. to remedy
this matter"
This statement came from Mr. Shepard vol
unfairly, and as he had announced that he would
not speak on policies or politics il took the news
paper men by surprise They waited some min
utes for Mr.. Shepard to go on. but he broke off
ing notes.
Some one suggested to Mr. Shepard that IT was
too bad that Devery had double that was
making much trouble for him. Mr. Shepard
said:
That verges on politics I shall not dis
cuss it."
Mr.. Shepard was asked If he would attend the
meeting of the Bar Association TO act upon
judicial nominations. He said: Il regard it as
unsuitable for candidate 10 take part in any
meeting in which any movement of a political
nature is contemplated. outside Of those Of his
candidacy"
Toward the end of the hour before Mr. shep-
ard departed Mr.. Croker had an earnest talk
with him. Something Mr.. Shepard said to Mr.
Croker appeared to displease the squire and he
went over and talked to Bernard ]. York
Mr.. Shepard expressed himself as much graft
fed at the number of banners exhibited i'm