New-York tribune., 1902-06-25
HE LONGS FOR CROKER.
SCANNELL SAYS THE EX-BOSS MUST RE-
TURN AS LEADER.
ESTATES-DISMAY AMONG TRIUM-
YIRS FRIENDS.

| f4INS INlcSNbo.
Ex-Fre Commissioner John J. ScannelI has
| Joined the ranks Of Murphy. Mcmahon, Hafen
| and Van Hoesen in declaring that Tammany
| cannot be successful under Croker while Mr.
| Croker stays English soil so much Of the
| time. Mr.. Scannell goes further, however, and
| says that Croker should sell out his belongings
/ on the other side and return at once to resume
| the leadership of demoralzed Tammany. Mr..
Scannell at the Hoffman House last night
| and said:
Richard Croker is the man most needed in
! Tammary Hall at this time. He alone can re-
organize the party here and place us in a con-
| dition where political orders can be issued and
enforced as in the old days. Croker is not only
the logical man at this time, but he is born
leader of men. With him at the helm new re-
cruits could be gained and in that way the
organization could be greatly strengthened
While it is important that Mr.. Croker should
return at once he must, if he does so, make up
his mind to drop all things English. Let him
sell his English estate at Vantage. his dogs,
racehorses and cattle and all his English pos
sessions, and then come back. There is ques-
tion that he would be welcome. But unless he
is willing to absolve himself hereafter from the
charge of absenteeism he cannot hope to re-
habilitate himself with Tammany Hall L am
IT hopes of his coming back here for good, ana
shortly. CrOker's time for years to come cannot
be better employed than in the care and build
ing up Of the great political organization that ne
formerly managed. 1t Croker who brought
about By his retirement from the leadership OF
Tammany the present muddled condition in the
e organization. This being the case, 1t is up 10
him 10 return, free and untrammelled from an
English associations. and endeavor TO straighten
out the tangle in Tammany Hall He can do
1t, and speedily. if he has the mind to do So
There is absolutely no question about that.
Richard Croker is the sole hope OF Iammany az
the present time l want to declare myself as
hot frIay mr. nf 'rlIZ
friend. too. A committee should be appointed
by the organization and sent to him with
demand that he return to the leadership.
When it was noised around last nlght that
Scannell had come out fatfootedly in favor OF
a movement for Croker's return. there was dis
may among the triumvir's friends If 1t were
not for the already complete decentralization of
Tammany Hall, scannells pronunciamento
would have a serious aspect. It is question,
however whether anything can be said .or done
that will mix up things in Tammany Han any
worse than they are at present Scannel is "a a
close personal friend of Croker. He kicked
against serving on the Tammany anti-Vice com
mittee as soon as he saw disposition on me
part of Lewis Nixon to make trouble tor the
gamblers. He stood out against John {. Shee-
han when the latter was leader OF Iammany
Hall; and because Of his freedom in calling for
Richard Croker's return II is evident tnat ne
is against the triumvirs. and is satisfied with the
chara cteri2ation given them by Devery When
Devery called them Sport. Two spot anu
Joke"
II is expected that the triumvirs will now come
out with another declaration of Independence
Whenever the cloud OF Tammany political sus-
picion begins to resemble soft coal smoke. the
triumvirs decide that II is about time for state
ment declaring that Richard Croker shall never,
never come back to Tammany as leader. Scan
nell's estimate Of the power Of the old boss is
everywhere recognized more nearly correct
than that of the triumvirs. II Croker should
go through the notions of selling his English
estate. matter whether he actually SOLD II or
not he doubtless would be received here as lead
er with open arms. Scannells call for his old
chiefs return may not be far reaching. but II
will add an interesting chapter to Tammany
politics.