New-York tribune., 1902-01-13
BELMONT ATTACKS CROKER
BRINGS AFFTDAVITS TO SHOW THAT
THE BOSS KNITTED HIM IN THE
WITH CONGRESS EIGHT

WIN to-NNhTcS
Perry Belmont, recently defeated as the Demo-
cratic candidate for Congress at the special cleo
tion In the With District, last night issued
statement dealing with the details of the cleo
tion, and specifically charging Richard Croker
with betraying him and causing his defeat. Mr..
Belmont commented first upon the retirement of
Croke- from the leadership of Tammany. In his
statement Mr. Belmont says:
A welcome change has been brought about,
which was not unexpected; but Croker cannot
eVade responsibility behind any one selected
the new leader, however good he may be. What
ever on further inquiry may appear TO have
been the cause of the unexpected vote for the
Republican candidate. evidence was abundant
throughout the Congressional campaign In the
With New-York Dstrict-and has since accu-
mulated-proving the falsity of Crokers state
ment. repeatedly made both before and after
election day. that he supported my candidacy,
after the decision OF the court as that or the
regular nominee of the Democratic convention.
I submit at this point one of several affldavlts
containing portions of this evidence. 1t illus
trates the methods employed to encompass my
defeat:
John T. Oates, being duly sworn. deposes and
fhe city iSt of T NewYoTK and has been such for the
past thirty-two years; that he has known Joseph
been on the most intimate terms with him; that
on the 4th day Of January l9Gs the r. deponept IH
lors of Tilys St George Hotel at about p m m:
the said O'Grady told deponent in the presence of
the said Clifford that he the said O'Grady, had
ito dig the life out of him" (meaning BelmonD;
the said O'Grady had further declared that he had
tensiby indorsing Mr Belmont but that Was only
10 gut Ms m res being @ ad fo M
you know have got TO do what Croker tells me-
the said oGrady that they Would do no such thing
and that they demanded of Mr.. oGrady that he
the Democratic party. elling him at the time that
II was his duty to do so more than anybody else:
vs. hat
was present at the aforesaid interyiew except this
dep0nent' Mr. Clifford and the ,ois sad oGrady Z ohTrs
Sworn to before me this 9th DAY q }snqaTy 1902
c,,,, n, IN, Notary PUBLIC. New-York County
FREDERICK w. clifford. being duly sworn. deposes
and says that he is resident of Staten Island and
heard read the foregoing afidavt OF John T. Oates.
8" 'e same IFfs FREpERTK d ssHET paTG9IdrF W GG9IdrFFoRD
Sworn to before me this 9th day Of Jsnqary 1902
Notary Public. New-York County
II will not do for Croker now to say that in
the Manhattan part of the district the organiza-
tion of which he was the leader had done its
duty" and that he was not responsible for what
occurred in the Borough of Richmond. Wher
ever he had direct and personal control his
agents worked and voted for the Republican
candidate Wherever his influence weakest,
either in Manhattan or Richmond Borough,
Democratic loyalty was evident. O'Grady is
representative of Croker's methods He there
fore was selected as Croker's candidate for
Congress and his candidate for party leadership
In the Borough of Richmond.
Opposition to my candidacy has nothing to do
with the point established in the foregoing afi-
davit Croker assumed TO lead a Democratic
party organization, and was intrusted with
thority and influence, to be used for the benefit
of the party and especially for the success of
It's candidates He has used this authority and
influence in the With Congress District directly
against the Democratic party He endeavored
10 elect the Republican candidate, and he suc-
ceeded
Croker's offence was personal only in It's least
significant phase. His leadership had just re-
ceived a crushing defeat throughout the city.
a defeat that had been invited by the mis-
conduct of his creatures and his own gross
abandonment of the responsibilities he had as
sumed. Not that / think the government OF
New-York would have been any better If he
had been resident here instead Of abroad: but
the point is that he was claiming to lead the
Democratic organization, was devourng the
benefits of party trust and all the time was
neglecting every duty and obligation of his
position. Then when the chance came 70 re-
cover some part of the ground that had been
lost. he treacherously played into the hands of
the Republicans
This is the beginning. not the end OF the fight
which Croker has invited against himself There
is some consolation for my defeat in that 1t has
thrown the clearest possible light upon the per
nicious and dishonest character of his leader
ship. AS have already during the campaign
itself had occasion TO say, when Croker
nounced that he had left the question of my
nomination 70 the district leaders he stated
what was emphatically untrue: when he de-
ciared that he accepted the decision of the Su-
preine Court. and that the Tammany orgdniza-
ton under his leadership would support me, he
stated what was false; since the election, when
he declares that ''Tammany had done its duty
toward me he again states what is untrue.
received the loyal support OF many Tam
many men who disregarded his wishes and had
the support of the Greater New-York Democ-
racy, and the Democrats of the Citizens Union.
The declaration of Croker, speaking for Tam
many, in support of Democratic candidates. is
worthless, because ii carries with il no evidence
OF good faith and is open to the suspicion that a
betrayal is intended He has placed the or
ganization, II it continues to submit directly or
indirectly, 70 his leadership in such a situation
before the Democracy of the city and State that
II should not find fault If at the next Demo-
cratic State Convention rival Democratic or
ganiZations from greater New-York shall raise
the question as to whether or not Croker dele
cation should be entitled 10 represent the Democ-
racy Of the Borough of Manhattan.
Mr.. Belmonts statement was read to Mr.
Croker at the Democratic Club last night eft
is false from start to end" he said II never
saw oGrady but twice in my lfe and the last
time l told him 10 support Belmont. I think
he will substantiate that. Tamnany did its
duty in the lower districts of the city As far
as Staten Island is concerned / have nothing to
say. O'Grady's candidacy there or his possible
candidacy for leadership l leave to the electors
of the island. Mr.. Belmont must look for other
causes for his defeat. and guess If he does not
realize these causes the public does