New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-21
FRIENDSGREET CROKER
HIS DONE WITH POLITICS.
Making Money Breeding Horses,
Old Tammany Chief Says.

Richard Croker arrived here yesterday on the
Cunard liner Lusitania The consensus OF op'hio"
srn,-s the host Of friends who met him AT Qurdh-
zinc and those who greeted him later on the pier
" as that the former leader Of Tammany nan N"s
.n better physical condition than when ne al -,
here four years ago 10 attend the funefai ol iis
son Frank NJ Cookers hair and beard We're
white then his face was pale and he wore SAD
expression but yesterday he had a rugged tan ana
=; moments he exceedingly jorial
The SUI was not shining when the Lusltania
came up to Quarantine 4 cool mist huhs o,ef
the Upper Bsy. but the former Tammany chlst'
xftf,oI,t overoS1st paced the deck and waited Tor
tie revenue cutter which brought his son. Rlehara
Croker. jr-. and party OF his friends Ar:
Croker's son the first person to greet hlih anu
with sn afIectionate handshake and embrace the
srizzle5 politician said softly. Hello Rich, how
are you2" one by the friends of MI Croker
crowded around him and exchanged greetings
They were follow red by crowd of newspaper men,
fanked by a small squadron of photographers MI
Croker posed before the cameras for a minute and
then turning 30 the reporters, gave an intimation
that things political were rot 10 be discussed
I viii not talk on the subject of politics" he
ssid with decision, and don't ask me any ques-
tons concerning politics.
Nj Croxer's blue eyes beaned with delight when
the conversation turned TO horses He said his
racing abroad we're profitable and that the
earnings Of his stable for the last year. including
prizes and sales amounted to about $4,000 This
sum he said. included the sale TO Mr.. benson. Of
England. of The Batter, a yearling and half
brother to orb,. for $3.50
They are very fair in the racing game over in
England volunteered the former chief of Tam
many Hall True they insist upon putting big
weight on a horse. but tha; brings out his worth
The English don't discourage Americans in taking
their horses to England
Wei. you looking bully. Mt. Croker said
e reporter Whit do you do to keep in such
splendid health
The air in ireland is the finest in the world
was :he abrupt reply.
Does the air alone do it,
Wei, I walk and ride horseback. and eat plenty
OF good potatoes and beef and fine mutton
Is golf part of your recreation
I play golf some, but don't go in for it very
strongly. Some of the newspapers had me the
champion. but that was wrong"
When ne told that Mr.. Bryan had volun-
teered 10 become the Democratic candidate for
President n 1912 If the party needed him Nj
Croker chewed his upper lip and grinned and then
relieved the situation with a deep grunt.
Why have YOU come over here?" MIR. Croker was
asked
Just for change and a trip through warmer
climate fer the whit +" he replied u shall re-
main in New York at the Democratic Club for two
or three weeks after which l viii likely go
10 California. ] shall Ireland in May"
Asked + he ever contemplated returning this
country FOR permanent residence or participating
again in local politics, Nj Croker replied that he
would never again make America his home
1t has been rumored many times that I contem-
1
shall always ne American citizen. I may live
the rest OF my life in Ireland. but l will die
American
Mr. croker was accompanied on the passage from
Queenstown by MS daughter. Miss Ethel Croker;
his two nleces. Mrs. Stella ". Borman and Mrs.
Benjamin II. Hewlett and the latter's husband.
Among those who went down the hay the
nue. cutter Mr. Croker were John Fox.
president OF the Democratic Club: Richard Croker,
jr-. Edward F. Croker. Michael T. DAILY and Thomas
F. Smith, secretary of Tammany Hall. Charles F.
Murphy net present Mr.. Smith explained TO
Mr. Croker that Mr. Murphy, who in Mount
Clemens. Mich. had sent his respects and would
visit him al the Democratic Club within days
on his from the West Dr. William T.
Jenkins. brother-in-laW of the former leader,
him al the pier.
Old friends To the number of about two hundred
called Nj Croker yesterday afternoon and last
night the Democratic Club. Mr.. Croker dined
with his Richard, President Fox and five
others last night. Afterward Mr.. Fox announced
that two receptions for Nj Croker would be given
at the club next week-One fot and the other
for members wives and women friends. Later
there viii be a large club dinner.