The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-29
SAYS DEMOCRATIC SUCCESS IS
FAR FROM HOPELESS.
AUTOCRAT OF THE PARTY.
Silver Democrats From the West
View Hills Course With
Knives in Hand.

Chicago, Aug. 27-William E. Cur
tbs in New York special to the Rec
ord Herald says: David Bennett Hill
has reached 62 years, the age when a
man goes on the retired list in the
army or navy. He has been in active
political life for 35 years, has been in
Office more than half OF that time,
has never taken drink or smoked a
cigar or kissed woman, and now, as
his reward, he finds himself for the
first time autocrat of the democratic
party in the empire state.
What shall it profit him? is a ques-
ton a good many people are asking.
There is no recompense or reward in
sight except glory and satisfaction
which are assets that he cannot
realize upon or use for collateral, and,
according to the best accounts there
will lurk at the Threshold of the next
democratic national convention nu
merous gentlemen from Nebraska and
elsewhere, with silver-mol1nted knives
and a. determination to prevent him
from achieving any greater honors
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 con-.
ference assembled and realized that
not one man within the range of his
vision would refuse to obey any or
der he might issue. The last time
Mr.. Hill met that same committee,
and it was only two years ago, he was
jeered, derided and degraded, and
only a small minority had the nerve to
be seen calling at his rooms. They
would not even let him plead his
cause. The man who presided-and
he was there again Saturday, among
Mr.. Hills most obedient servants,
was not able to see him when he
arose to make a motion and several
times treated him in most con-
temptuous way.
Since then many things have hap
pened. Mr.. Croker, who was then
absolute monarch as Mr.. Hill is to-
day, lives in England, practically
political outcast. Edward Murphy,
Jr., Mr.. Hills former ally who de-
serted him, and went over to the enc
my, has been dethroned in the little
oligarehy he ruled at Troy, and no
longer exercises either power or in
fiuence. Two years ago nothing was
done or decided by the democrats
of New York without his ok upon
the back. no man could be nominated
for state office without his consent,
and he aided to humiliate Mr.. Hill in
1900, Edward Murphy, \ Jr., is also an
exile, and lives most Of his time in
the state which shelters a third Of
Mr.. Hills most formidable enemies.
Mr.. Cleveland is friendly to him now,
or at least is supposed to be, but
wasn't the least so when his friend,
ship was of any value. Roswell P.
Flower is dead.
There is no one to dispute Mr.. Hills
leadership, no one of courage and
ability enough to disobey his orders.
The adherence, of Tammany and of
several other democratic organiza-
tions in the state, is not entirely vol
untary, and it is not what some of
the local leaders would prefer, but, as
Mr.. Whitney said, the democrats have
neither an issue nor man, and hence
they have called Hill out of the bull
rushes, as it were. He has repaired
the democratic machine which Croker
left so badly wrecked, painted it and
put it in running order. Therefore
his right to run it is not disputed.
The representatives from the sew
eral senatorial districts at the rs =
ing of the state committee at ga y
toga Saturday expressed opinions not
favorable to democratic success at
the November election. There is very
little enthusiasm among the local
leaders Of the party. and still less
among the rank and file, 1t is diff
ficult to get up much excitement with
neither money or offices nor pros
poets of success. But Mr.. Hill made
an earnest speech. urging careful and
thorough organization, declaring that
the prospects of a democratic party
victory in November were far from
hopeless and stating that he was very
confident of the election of a demo-