The New York herald., 1922-04-30


than 1000 and was supposed to set q
record for surnptuous banquets. At this
! feast Croker received the homage of all
those whom he had set once more on
the road to wealth and public emolu-
ments.
| This memorable feast occurred in 1899.
The Mazet committee was even then
conducting it's Investigations into Tam
many's rule of the city The very next
day Croker took the stand and defiantly
answered the questions of Frank Moss
on his methods of ruling Tammany and
his own private business.
Admitted Selfish Ends.
| 1t was on the stand that day that
Croker delivered his famous utterance
about working for his own. pocket
! Asked IL he had not obtained the NOM
| ination of men who would see that he
and his partner, Peter F. Meyer, then
| In the real estate business, would not
want for profits. Croker said that they
expected to be permitted to make q
| living.
Then you are working for your own
pocket?" Frank Moss flung at him.
''All the time, every day in the week.
just the same as you are," retorted
| Croker. and the Tammanyites present
yelled, That's the stuffr
Crokers one essay in State politics
met with disaster. Departing from the
traditional theory of Tammany since
the days of 1879. when his predecessor
bolted State ticket and thereafter de-
clared he would let the State alone.
Croker in 1898. over the opposition of
David b. Hill, but with the assistance of
Hugh Mclaughlin. nominated Augustus
Van Wyck for Governor against Roose-
velt. The cry went up ivan Wyck.
| Van Wyck & Co." Roosevelt won by
$4,000, but Croker elected in the county
his candidate for Justice. David Leven-
tritt. whom he had nominated in place
of Justice DAILY.
Quarreled with Hill.
| Croker and Hill never got along to-
gether. On one occasion Croker left
Hills room in the Hoffman House and
announced to the reporters
Il have just called David B. Hill a
liar to his face. Go upstairs and see il
l am telling the truth"
Hill called Croker "a racetrack states
man." Croker supported Senator Ed
ward Murphy for State leader against
Hill and in the national convention Of
1900 had Hill turned down AS New
Yorks member on the platform COM
mittee. Hill left the room in tears, the
only time his associates ever saw him
display emotion.
In January. 1902. following the defeat
of Croker's candidate. Edward NJ Shep-
ard. by Seth Low, Croker again laid
! down his leadership.
At a dinner at the Democratic Club
on January %. 1902. attended by sixty
four of his friends. Croker delivered a
twenty-three minute speech announcing
that his day was done"
To Lewis Nixon, then enjoying his
especial favor. Croker at this feast
handed the crown. Some Of the guests
shed tears. Others reserved their tears
for the following day when Croker
sailed away. bombarded with flowers. II
was dramatic leave taking of the most
, picturesque political figure New York
politics ever produced.
Ambitious to Win Derby.
Il am out of politics and now I am
going to win the Derby" said Croker on
that famous occasion at the ships side
when men like Maurice Holahan wept.
Croker had devoted his attention for
many years to raising thoroughbreds at
his place at Vantage in England and
later at Glencairn in Ireland. In one
year his purchases footed up to more
than 100000.
Mike Dwyer had helped to pick his
stable and he bought half interest In
the famous Belle Mead stud. which in
cluded such horses as Longstreet Fairy.
Red Banner and Yorkville Belle. In
1896 ne moved his stable to England
and entered his colors on the English
turf. The Englishman did not take 1t
kindly and this unpleasantness culmi-
mated finally In Croker being barred
from the privilege OF Newmarket.
With characteristic patience. Croker
set about deliberately to win the blue
ribbon Of the English turf. in spite OF
these handicaps. On June 4, 1907, oc-
CURED the triumph of his racing career.
his colt Orby, ridden by Johnny Rein
and trained at Croker's stables in Ire
land, coming home two and a half
lengths In the lead. Hoist the Irish
flag" Croker telegraphed home to Glen
cairn. and there was great jubilation In
Ireland.
wife Helped Him I'm Early Days.
Croker was married twice. His first
wife was a Miss Margaret Frazier.
whom he married when he was mere
ward politician. In their early years Of
married life her influence on him was
very marked. Indeed, the first Mrs
Croker, who came OF a well to do Fam.
lily and was convent bred. was credited
with putting much OF the polish on
Croker's rough exterior in the years
when he was climbing to the top. For
many years they lived an apparently
model domestic life with their six chill.
dren.
Croker's eldest son. Frank, was killed
In an automobile accident In Florida.
His second son, Herbert. soon after
this died on n train near Kansas City
in circumstances that suggested he had
been drugget
Croker. with his intimates, was the
soul OF generosity and loyalty and was
credited by them with never breaking
his word. He did not drink declaring
that alcohol wasn't good for horses and
therefore. In his opinion, wasn't good for
human beings. No man was over more
lampooned. yet he was never sensitive
over this. Several years before his death
his former cronies here received from
him Handsomely bound volumes contain
ing a collection of more than a thousand
OF these cartoons which he had care.
fully got together.
In Dispute with Children.
Mr.. Croker and second wife came
into prominence In 1920 when a dis
pute arose between them and three of
his children by the first Mrs. Croker.
II eliminated In suit by Howard,
Richard Jr., and Ethel, now Mrs. John
j. Breen.