The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-28
CREAM of the SPECIALS
HILL IS STATE CHIEF.
Democrats of New York Give Him
 Leadership.

New York Special to Chicago Record
 Herald.
 David Bennett Hill has reached 62 years. the age when man goes on the retireu list in the army or navy. He has been ,., in active political life for thirty-five years: has been in office more than haf that time, has never taken a drink or smokeo a cigar or kissed a woman, and now. as his reward he finds himself for the nrst time autocrat of the Democratic party in the Empire State. What shall it pront him? Is question a good many people are asking. There is no recompense or reward in sight except glory and satlsfac- tior, which are assets that he cannot re- alize upon or use for collateral, and, ac- cording to the best accounts there Will turk at the threshold of the next Demo- cratic national convention numerous gen tlemen from Nebraska and elsewhere. with silver-mounted knives and a deter imitation to prevent him from achieving any greater honor or influence In his party.
 Nevertheless, no one can deprive David Bennett Hill of the qualification that filled his soul at Saratoga last Saturday
 when he looked over the Democratic state Committee in conference assembled ana realized that not one man within the range of his vision would refuse to obey any order he might issue. The last time Mir. Hill met that same committee ana 1t was only two years ago. he was Jeered 'derided and degraded, and only small minority had the nerve to be seen call ing at his rooms. They would not even let him plead his cause. The man who presided-and he was there again Satur- day, among MT. Hills most obedient ser vants-was not able to see him when he arose to make a motion and several times treated him in a most contemptuous way. Since then many things have happened. MT Croker who was then absolute mon- arch as MT. Hill is today. lives in Eng
 land, practically political outcast. Ed
 ward Murphy, Jr., MT. IiilPs former ally. who deserted him and went over to the enemy, has been dethroned in the little oligarchy he ruled at Troy, and no longer exercises either power or influence. TWO years ago nothing was done or decided by the Democrats of New York without | his 70. K" upon the back, no man could
 be nominated for State office without | his consent and he aided to humillate l Mir. Hill in 1900. Edward Murphy, Jr., | is also an exile. and lives most of his | time in the State which shelters a third | of Mir Hilrs most formidable enemies
 MT. Cleveland is friendly to him now, or | at least is supposed to be- but wasn't the least so when his friendship was of any
 value. Roswell P. Flower Is dead.
 There is no one to dispute HilI s leadec- ship, no one of courage and ability enough to disobey his orders. The ad- | herence of Tammany and the several oth- l CT Democratic organizations in the State l the fusion of the factions in his support l Is not entirely voluntary, and 1t Is no, | what some of the local leaders would
 pI efer, but, as MT. Whitney said, the | Democrats have neither an issue nor
 man, and hence they have called Hill out
 of the bulrushes as it were. He has re- | paired the Democratic machine whicf
 Croker left so badly wrecked, painted Il
 and put it in running order. Therefore
 his right to run 1t is not disputed. | The reports from the several senate
 rial districts represented at the meeting | of the State Committee at Saratoga Sat | urday were not favorable to Democratic | success at the November election. There
 is very little enthusiasm among the loca
 leaders of the party. and still less among the rank and file. It is difficult to ge | up much excitement with neither none. nor offices nor prospects of success MT Hill made an earnest speech, urging
 careful and thorough organization, de
 claring that the prospects of a Democratic | party victory in November were far from
 hopeless, and that he was very confiden | of the election of a Democratic President in 1904 He promised these boys tha l money would be forthcoming if strong | ticket was nominated at the approaching
 convention, but thus far has suggested | no candidates.