The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-25
By His Orders Democratic State
Committee Fixes Place and Date.
for. the State Convention.

Saratoga, Aug. SIN seven seconds less
than seventeen minutes the Democratic
state committee Saturday aceng under
the undisputed leadership Of David Ben
nett HILL made the date for the state con-
vention for Sep. 80 and the place for IL
Saratoga. Such an exhibition of harmony
has not been seen at any previous meet
ing of the state committee for II years.
MIR. Hill reigned supreme He did not
even attend the meeting of the commit
tee but gave his orders In advance to his
agents. and they were promptly executed
without question.
Some OF his agents were Tammany men
who In the past have been conspicuous
for their antagonism to Mr.. Hill. But
Saturday they sheathed their claws that
once raked the political hide OF Mr.. Hill
and were az docile as so many kittens
Tom Grady seemed TO be the man Sc
lected by the Triumvirs-Murphy. McMa-
hon ard Haffern-to conduct the negotia-
tions with Mr.. Hill
There was a time when Grady, obey
ing the orders Of Croker, searched his
book Of synonyms TO find new forms OF
invective TO hurl at the present leader OF
the state machine. but at the meeting
Grady occupied the place of honor next to
Mr.. Hill. Mr.. Hill sent for him and he
came willingly.
HEARD FROM CROKER.
This extraordinary reversal of previous
relationship inspired the belief that Cro-
ker, from his remote but commanding
vantage at Vantage In Berks, England,
had sent specific instructions to his lieu
tenant to follow Hill This In fact Is the
way the cable message read II bore the
date OF Aug. II, and was addressed to a
man In Saratoga that Croker. with an in
innate relationship OF IS years to justify
It, has designated TO speak for him to
those OF his old-time followers who will
obey.
Mr. Hill did not appear to be suspicious
OF the unusual alacrity with which the
Tammany men came at his beck 10 do his
bidding. He was less reticent and mys-
terious than Is characteristic OF him.
At times he was almost genial, or as
nearly so as man OF his type can be-
but he was always complacent and had
a word OF encouragement and cordial
greeting for the Democrats Of all brands
and previous conditions, save the So
called independent Democrats of the
Nassau street" crowd who for business
reasons would rather have Gov. odell
reelected than take chances with any
man OF their own party who might dis
ventures which are mainly fostered by
political favoritism.
To this contingent, which operates
through the lobby both at the city hall
I'm New York and the Capitol at Albany,
and who retain agents In both the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties. Mr.. Hill
presented the chilly side of his charac-
ter. which he can do most admirably
when in the mood.
In dealing with this crowd OF railway
and Industrial promoters Mr.. Hill ap-
peared 10 be inspired by the thought that
they were less I'm harmony with his plans
than their words OF encouragement would
Indicate He had been Informed the night
before OF the operations OF this crowd anu
of their confidential declarations to some
Tammany politicians that they would
much rather have Odell reelected than
take chances with n Democratic governor
who might kick over the traces to the de-
triment OF their business interests
ATTITUDE OF SENATOR HILL.
The attitude OF the new master Of the
machine was that of a man who feels
that he has a great responsibility and
n greater opportunity, the exact potency
OF which he will not reveal. he declined,
for Instance. 20 enter into any discussion
for publication this AFTERNOON, as he
talked TO n correspondent OF the World.
on the ground that the Republican man
ayers are most anxious to hnd out his
pian OF campaign, the issues favored by
him. and the trend OF his thought about
tho candidate for governor.
IL can be stated on the highest au-
,hortty that Mr.. Hill has not committed
himself to the support OF any man who
asnires TO secure the nomination for gov
error lie favors an old-time convention.
the delegates 20 which VIII he untram-
meIled by any orders or pre-arranged pro-
gramme arranged 10 favor the causefof
any one man.
AZ far as the platform. which the con-
yention will put forth as It's doctrine OF
faith is concerned. MT Hill VIII consult
the leader OF every co-organization In the
state.
That the platform will not contain any
referencA TO Mr. BRYAN or make men