The Detroit times., 1908-12-08
CR0KER'S VISIT IS
MARRIED BY MANY
ATTACKS
h'
FORMER TAMMANY CHIEF,
WHOSE RULE is DENOUNCED,
SHOWS SIGN OF ADVANCING
YEARS.

NEW YORK, Dec, s.-Richard
Croker, who is at Lakewood. \. j.
announces that he will waste no
more time" replying 10 attacks upon
himself or any OF his friends still NC
lively connected with Tammany.
came here for rest and recreation he
said, and | will not be diverted from
that determination By lot OF notorie-
~ seekers
Mr. Croker read with evident inter
est the interview with the Rev. DR.
Charles F. Aked. pastor OF the Fifth
ave Baptist church. His jaws set
firmly, and the scowl that Tammany
men feared SO much when Croker was
the boss came back.
These men don't know what they
are talking about" he said. ihat Is
apparent to any one who knows any
thing about the political system or the
country. so what Is the use or an
swering them? II isn't worth while.
| answered one man who was seeking
notoriety on "Wednesday. This rev
erned doctor saw that II was a good
thing, as the first preacher got a lot
OF space out OF IL. and now he jumps
In, hoping he will have the same luck.
Well. he won't.
IF | answer him, two or three
others will jump in and Will nave
time for nothing else. II | were In pol
tics, in my old position at the head
OF the organization, | wouldn't lose
any time in trying 10 set these peo-
pie right. Not set them right, either.
for that would be impossible, but 10
set the rank and file right, who might
be misled by statements OF this KIND,
thoughtlessly."
That Mr.. Crokers visit 10 America
has been marred by the attacks upon
him by DR.. Wise and DR.. Aked Is adj
mitted by his intimate friends. he
SAYS that he does not mind. as he Is
used 10 ii, but adds that he does not
like to see his friends attacked be-
cause OF him.
In this respect Croker shows one or
the signs OF advancing years. He Is
no longer able TO forget personal at
tacks or to overlook them entirely
with the determination which brought
him the admiration OF friends while
he ruled in the Fourteenth-st. wigwam.
In discussing this question he said:
"All I ask Is to be let alone. don't
want a thing from anybody, except 10
visit my old friends In New York now
and then, and TO go over the scenes OF
former activities. Surely that isn't
much. and | do not think any one
should begrudge a man OF my age
that much. I'm out Of politics. have
said a hundred times-and | am sure
everybody knows I am out. Under
those conditions. will bother no one,
and | don't see why any one else
should bother me.
But I know why il is; the newspa-
pers haven't changed bit. They still
print all kinds OF stuff that any
notoriety seeker gets off. and the more
irrational 1t is the bigger the display
on II is.
Now, you came all the way here
from New York 10 get me TO answer
this minister, when he says. Nobody
can be satisfied with a system which
has given over control of American
cities to party boss. the saloon
keeper and the keeper OF Infamous
houses
You could have answered that all
right yourself in New York without
bothering me. or any OF your editors
could have answered 1t. II don't see
why the papers print that kind OF stun.
In the first place. In the second place,
IL they must print II. and want an
swers. let them answer 1t themselves.
Everybody knows that men In
newer in politics and the men holding
public office-every office in the coun-
try-are put there by the votes OF the
people. by votes cast first In the par
Nv primary. electing delegates to con-
ventions. and then at the polls on cleo
ton day. why. isn't that a good sys-
tenn. the very best system? | never
heard of better. nor has any one else.
But | won't say another word.
haven't time. Please don't ask me an
other question OF urge me. don't
want to think OF politics or these
seekers"