The Washington times., 1904-08-25
WHITNEY'S WORK
FOR CLEVELAND
Editor Harvey Makes Pub
lie Interesting History.
HOW CROKER WAS SOUGHT
Repaid a Debt of Gratitude Fifteen
Years Old-Matters Never Before
Mace Public.
HOW CROKER WAS SOUGHT

IVeelSlv." I'm this weeks number of that
publicat ton. tells a remarkable story of
the manner IN which the late William c.
Whitney harmonized the anti-Cleveland
Democracy in 1892 and paved the way
for Mr.. CIeveland's second election.
The story is apropos OF the bad man
agement of the present Democratic cam
paign. to which some newspapers have
repeatedly called attention. Colonel
Harvey speaks from personal knowl-
edge. because he was for several years
the private secretary Of Mr.. Whitney,
and at the time Of which he writes en-
joyed close personal relations with the
great manipulation of men.
Colonel Harvey tells how much greater
a task Mr. Whitney had cut out for
himself than have the Parker campaign
ers.
Whole State Involved.
Instead OF having to harmonic the
petty bosses of the two boroughs. Mr..
Whitney had TO placate the entire work
ing element of the whole State. Colonel
Harvey writes that the next morning
but one after the return from Chicago
Mr.. Whitney summoned TO his house in
Fifty-seventh Street 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 IL is a
fact that until last evening 1 did not be-
ging TO realize how serious a response
bility l had taken upon myself in doing
what l did 10 bring about the nomina-
ton of Cleveland. It Is quite possible,
although ] do not think so. that an
other candidate, II nominated with prac-
teal unanimity, might have proven sue
cessful at the polls. Consequently my
responsibility IS not only to Mr.. Cleve-
land. whom / have urged so strongly
20 make the trial. but TO the Demo
cratic party itself. with which l have
always been identified. and from which
i have received many honors-
Faced Hard Problem.
ct have been so busy ever since I re-
turned from Europe in trying TO accom-
plish the nomination that, to tell the
truth, had overlooked the grave prob
lens bearing upon the election Of the
nominee. When I sat down last even
ing and candidly reviewed the situation
! must say that I was appalled, It IS
useless TO deny 10 ourselves that prac-
tically all OF the Old-Ime Democratic
leaders, the men who would naturally
be looked 10 as the guiding and most
efficient helpers to the campaign. are
bitterly opposed TO Mr.. Cleveland Not
that they viii fail to vote the ticket,
but their support at the present mo-
ment certainly promises 20 be laclz2-
dalsical and tinctured with feelings of
personal hostility.
Prompt Action.
"The first and most serious problem
TO solve is here in New York, and ! feel
that I have not an hour To- loss #
hope 10 succeed IN breaking The com
binatiOn that insisted upon Hin. 1ld is
still hostile and likely to continue so
to Cleveland. I feel so strongly the
necessity for the greatest prompttuJe Il
action that L shall be utterly discour-
aged If 1 go TO bed tonight without
having made distinct progress. That,
he added. with d Characteristic shrug
OF his shoulders. and laugh that his
friends would recognize, lis what 1
wanted TO talk 70 you about
"A discussion Of ways and means fol-
lowed" writes Mr.. Harvey, ending IN
the recognition of the necessity OF OBJ
tanning at once the hearty cooperation
OF one of the three dominant factors
in the organiZation-Mr. HILL Mr.. Muir
ply or Mr.. Croker.
Mr.. Hills name was promptly elinlin-
ated from consideration His disap-
pointment had been too great; his wounds
were too recent. with Mr.. Murphy, Ny
Whitney had at that time very slight
acquaintance. and II was partly for this
reason he had called into consultation
one who knew Mr. Murphy more inJl-
mately.
After careful consideration Of that
gentleman's characteristics, his feeling
that both the party and himself lad
suffered unnecessarily at the hands Of
Mr. Cleveland, his natural unfOrgiV.Dg
spirit IN a situation OF that nature, and
his inclination 10 believe that Mr.. CleVe-
lands reelection would bring more
harm than good 70 the Democratic par
ty. his name. too, was dismissed.
Cookers Trial Recalled.
only Mr.. Croker remained.
4 don't know Mr.. Croker Mr.. Whit
ney said I suppose ] have seen him
twice in ten years. and then only TO
speak to him casually. / can think OF
only one possibility in connection with
him. When 1 was young p-acticiug
lawyer. just beginning 20 get ahead, the
two men whom / looked no 10 most
in the Democratic party were GIr. Tuden
and Mr.. Hewitt, and ! knew them both
pretty we'll one day Mr. Hewitt sent
for me and said that Richard Croker.
one Of the minor leaders I'm the Tam
many organization, had been indicted
for murder, and seemed likely TO sut-
fer unjust punishment because Of his
logged refusal TO clear himself
g Mr.. Hewitt said that he had made
a thorough Investigation. and was alb
solutely certain that the guilty man WAS
not Croker but man who had be-
friended him and whose name Croker
would not under any circumstance
oiyulge.
Not Guilty.
MT Hewitt added that he considered
Croker an honest, faithful, and dcscrv-
ing young man. and he proposed 10
get him out Of the scsape if there was
any way 90 do IL. He said he was will
ing 10 furnish money FOR the employ
meHt Of lawyers and the getting of evi-
dencc, and would pay me for any time
that / should give 20 the case If
would take it up and give il my UNI
divided personal attention. until we
should nud that the man could or could
not be saved
OF course / could not take payment
rom Mr.. Hewitt for such service but
] did under his direction undertake the
task ] went down that morning ana
had "A taxi with Croker. but could get
nothing OUT OF him. and &c is "a positive
fact that i did not see MIN again until.
along with several others ] congratulate
Cd him upon his acCuittal
" Since then, as / have said. ] have seen
him only two or three times in the
most casual way. Now h.. Of course,
remembers that. and he may feel a
sense OF gratitude that would enable me
10 appeal 20 him on personal grounds.
and / have become so oppressed bv
this feeling Of responsibility that I
brought upon myself that am ready 10
do 10 unless you can see Some ro.f son