The Washington times., 1902-08-26

NEW YORK. Aug. 25.-John F. Car
roll, Tammany leader of the Twenty
ninth Assembly district, returned today
IRON Saratoga 10 take personal charge
OF the fight against the factions that are
trying to defeat him for reelection.
His friends say that he may cause the
arrest of n number of men who have
been colonized in the district to vote
against him. With the return of Car
roll fight for the leadership OF Tam
many Will begin in earnest.
Charles +. Murphy, the sport of the
Tammany triumvirate, wants to succeed
Croker as leader OF the organization.
He is jealous of Carroll, and is supposed
to be directing the fight against him.
A large number of the voters trans
ferred into Carrolls district moved from
Murphys district, the eighteenth. Four
men are talked Of as possible successors
of Croker. They are John F. Carroll,
James j. Martin, Charles F. Murphy and
Timothy D. Sullivan. Carroll and Martin
believe that Croker is out for good. They
accepted in good faith his statement
that his retirement was final. They are
working on the assumption that Croker
viii not come back this year or next and
attempt to resume absolute control of
the organization.
Not Sure of Croker.
On the other hand, Murphy and Sulli-
van, while ambitious to become leader.
would step aside for Croker at any time
They do not know he is coming back and
are secretly working to strengthen them
selves in case his present retirement
should prove to be final.
The majority faction in the Tammany
executive committee is made up of lead
ers who still recognize Croker and rath-
er expect his return next year The
triumvirate represents that faction, but
most of the same leaders expect Murphy
TO develop into a regent. His friends
thought he would gradually grow into
the leadership. He has not been grow
ing as fast as they expected
1t is now apparent to every Tammany
leader that the triumyirate cannot con-
tinue. The men met last week and ad-
journed subject to the call of Chairman
Murphy. He may not call another meet
ing.
~lAu4dlltS " 1ell SIOIY-
Tie primary will do much to disclose
the strength of the various factions.
Carroll has eight leaders. Sullivan about
the same number, and Murphy has the
passive backing of eight or ten Of the
Croker old guard.
The others are ready TO join any fac
tion that develops winning strength at
= ha rarfr ~ Cos el. H. I.
feated in his own district that would put
him out of the race for the leadership.
and at the same time it would be an i'm
portant victory for Murphy. Carroll and
his friends have no fear of the result
in the Twenty ninth district. ANY gain
for Murphy would be a setback for Sui
livan, because the Croker old guard are
suspicious Of the latter.
Martin in Favor.
All factions are beginning to look to
Martin as good compromise man for
leader if Croker is really out. They all
recognize his ability as politician, and
he has not antagonized Carroll. Murphy
or Sullivan. The Croker old guard have
distrusted him because he has openly an
nounced that he accepted the resignation
OF Croker as final. But the Sullivan and
Murphy factions would likely prefer Mar
tin 10 Carroll.
The opposition to Sullivan is very
strong, an it is considered doubtful If he
could gain the leadership under any cir
cumstance. If Mr.. Carroll carries his
district by a good majority he will prob
ably gain two or three additional dis
trict leaders. When q test comes after
the primaries it is expected that the
real fight for the leadership will be be-
tween Carroll and Murphy. with the
chances in favor Of the former. In case
of deadlock, or TO prevent an open
rupture, both factions might accept Mar
tin.
The elevation OF Carroll or Martin to
recognized leadership would be ac-
cepted throughout the organization as
the end of Croker's rule from England
through his secret agents. If Murphy
should win he would be recognized as
Croker's man, and the squire could come
back and take charge Of the organization
at any time.