The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1904-08-30
WHITNEY AID CROKER
Why Tammany Hall Supported
Cleveland In 1892.
HOW A HARD PROBLEM WAS FACED

Colonel George Harvey Tells Of VIM.
c. whitney's work ms Peacemais-
err That Ended In Election of Pres
ident-How lie Was Helped by For
mer Tammany CHIEF.
Colonel George Harvey. the editor
Of Harper's Weekly, tells In a recent
issue remarkable story Of the man
ner in which the late William G. Whit
ney harmonizel the anti-Cleveland
Democracy in 1892 and paved the way
for Mr. cleyeland's second election
Instead Of having to harmonic the
petty bosses Of tie two boroughs OF
New York Mr.. Whitney had to plaeate
the entire working element Of the
whole state. Colonel Harvey writes
that the next morning but one after
his return from Chicago alr. Whitney
summoned to his house in Fifty-sev-
enth street, New York, friend with
whom he was accustomed to discuss
his most trying political problems and
stated the situation In substantially
these words
1T may seem strange, but it is a
fact that until last evening did not
begin TO realize how serious a respon
sibllity / had taken upon myself in
doing what did to bring about the
nomination Of Cleveland. 1t is quite
possible, although | do not think so,
that another candidate. if nominated
with practical unanimity, might have
proved successful at the polls. Con-
sequently my responsibility is not on
" to Mr.. Cleveland, whom | have
urged SO strongly to make the trial,
but to the Democratic party itself,
with which / have always been iden
titled and from which / have received
many honors.
Il have been so busy ever since
returned from Europe in trying to
accomplish the nomination that, to tell
the truth, | had overlooked the grave
problems bearing upon the election Of
the nominee. When | sat down last
evening ana eandidly reviewed the sit
uation | must say that / was appalled,.
1t is useless to deny to ourselves that
practically all Of the old time Demo
cratic leaders, the men who would
naturally be looked to as the guiding
and most efficient helpers IN the cam
paign. are bitterly opposed to Mr.
Cleveland Not that they viii fail to
vote the ticket, but their support at the
present moment certainly promises to
be lackadaislcal and tinctured with
feelings of personal hostility.
The first and most serious problem
TO solve Is here Ia New York, and /
feel that / have not an hour to lose If
hope to succeed in breaking the com
bination that insisted upon Hill and is
still hostile and likely to continue 50
to Cleveland. / feel so strongly the
necessity for the greatest promptitude
Of action that | shall be utterly dis
couraged If 1 go to bed tonight without
having made distinct progress. That,
he added, with characteristic shrug
OF the shoulders and a laugh that his
friends would recognize. is what
wanted TO talk to you about"
"A discussion Of ways and means
followed writes Mr.. Harvey end
ing in a recognition OF the necessity of
obtaining at once the hearty co-opera-
ton Of one of the three dominant fac
tors In the organization Mr. Hill, Mr.
Murphy or Mr.. Croker. Mr. HilIs
name was promptly eliminated from
consideration. His disappointment had
been too great; his wounds were too
recent With Mr. Murphy, Mr.. Whit
ney had, at that time, very slight ac-
quaintance, and 1t was partly for this
reason that he had called into CON
sultation one who knew Mr. Murphy
more intimately. After careful con-
sideration Of that gentleman's eharac-
teristics, his feeling that both the party
and himself had suffered unnecessarily
at the hands Of Mr.. Cleveland, his nat
urally unforglying spirit In a situation
OF that nature and his inclination to be-
lieve that Mr. Cleveland's reelection
MQulQ #DIlnZ ilttN HuIHl tAldu Sppu u
the Democratic party, his name, too,
was dismissed
"Only Mr.. Croker remained.
- don't know Mr. Croker Mr. |
Whitney said. Il suppose I have seen
him twice ia ten years and then only |
70 speak to him casually can think
Of only one possibility in connection
with him. When l was a young prae-
ticing lawyer, just beginning to get
ahead, the two men whom / looked up |
to most IN the Democratic party were
Mr.. Tilden and Mr.. Hewitt, and I |
knew them both pretty we'll One day |
Mr.. Hewitt sent for me and said that |
Richard Croker, one or the minor lead.
ers in the Tammany organization, had |
been indicted for murder and seemed |
likely to suffer unjust punishment be
cause Of his logged refusal to clear
himself Mr.. Hewitt said that he had |
made a thorough investigation and |
was absolutely certain that the gailty |