The New York herald., 1922-04-30

Richarl
| sporting element of the city. 1t was the
stepping stone to political power.
| Charmed by mis- fistic. ability. the
members of the Tunnel gang quickly ac-
knowledgei him as leader. Then Croker
| Joined the volunteer fire department. =
recruiting school for politicians, meeting
| there Thomas f. Gilroy. the Scannells
and many of the men he was afterward
to raise to affluence and power. In 1867
| he was elected Alderman, job carrying
with it then $4,000 year.
sided With John Kelly.
This was the beginning of Croker's
political fortunes He had long been,
like his father. an enrolled member of
Tammany, but was only a tacit follower
of its leader. Tweed. 1t was over the
opposition to Tweed and his district
henchman. James O'Brien, that Croker
was renominated as Alderman. These
men feared the fistic fighter forging SO
rapidly to the front. but they could not
down him. Each time he was elected by
large majority. Elected the second
time he and his associates drew up the
| memorable agreement to oppose any
measure advocated by Tweed. Tweed
countered by having the board legislated
out of office.
In the meantime Croker had been
making friends with John Kelly, de-
stined to succeed Tweed. Croker threw
all the strength of his East Side follow
ing to Kely's side. was named a city
marshal by Mayor Havemeyer, and in
| 1873. with Kelly's support, was nomi-
mated and elected Coroner. an office then
worth in fees $4,000 year.
At this time occurred the most pain
| full incident of Croker's life, from the
unfortunate shadow of which he never
could entirely escape-the murder OF
John McKenna. MeKenna was a fol-
lower of James O'Brien, Croker's rival
in the factional fighting in the Eigh-
teenth district In the campaign of 1874
O'Brien was a candidate for Congress
in opposition to Abram s. Hewitt,
whom Croker was supporting.
The jury In this famous case-six Re-
publicans and six Democrats-disagreed
Croker was never retired, the case being
nolle pressed subsequently.
To many men of less ability anything
short of complete exculpation in such a
case would have been the deathblow to
their political fortunes. 1t did con-
tribute to Mr.. Croker's defeat for Cor.
oner at the next election, but 1t did no,
prevent him thereafter from rising tc
the very heights of political prestige
and power in Tammany. Mayor Edison
appointed him Fire Commissioner after
his defeat as Coroner. and Mayor
Hewitt reappointed him.
In the meantime Croker, at the behest
of Mr.. Hewitt Samuel j. Tilden and
other Democrats. had converted the
Eighteenth district from an enemy
stronghold into a Tammany Gibraltar
and was looked on by all hands as the
logical successor to his political friend
and mentor, John Kelly. Croker vir-
tuaily became leader in 1885. one year
before Kelly's death. With the passing
away of the latter his rule became alb
solute and Tammany started on a ca
reer of victory and dominion that was
to make II as a political organization
the wonder of the country and the
world.
Tammany, torn by 1issensions and
weakened by the detection of large
following that had formed the County
Democracy needed a leader Of consum-
mate ability to reform its shattered bat
talions Croker was the man. His first
stroke of political sagacity was the Sc
lection in 1886 of Abram $. Hewitt, an
old opponent Of the organization and the
representative of the conservative DEM
ocrats. as a candidate for Mayor against
Henry George, who was the idol of
large following on account of his single
tax doctrine. Hewitt won in one Of the
most exciting campaigns New York ever
witnessed.
But Hewitt was not The man to take
orders from Croker nor to acknowledge
the political absolutism which the new
leader Of Tammany had already begun
to put into effect As result Croker.
with a boldness that dismayed many OF
his lieutenants, turned him down for re-
nomination and named Hugh J. Grant.
the crony Of his younger days Grant
was elected the nrst straight out Tam
many man the city had had for gen.
Grafton and the grip Of Croker and his
organization was fastened on the city
offices as II had not been In yeare.
Croker was appointed City Chamberlain.
the richest prize in the gift Of the new
Mayor.
Faced Fassett Inquiry.
Croker had to face his first legislative
investigating committee following this
notable victory II was headed by j.
Sloat Fassett and was designed to make
political capital for the Republicans.
Croker was In Europe, supposedly in
shattered health, when The committee
began its Investigations IN 1890 Fc
returned at once and OH the witness
stand denied various assertions that had
been made. some Of them rejecting on
his moral integritv
The most sonFatior~i tcatiin9n~ BEFORE
the Fassatt committee was given b"
patrick - t'-"""N 's h"H'
n-inw. rnf 80 N "qsl
-und Nof ftm1a1 ifl.cd 10 soniirnA-
tion ofGrant's appointment az commls-