New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-05
RICHARD CROKER RESIGNS.
HE IS TOO ILL TO BE CITY CHAMBERLAIN.

| 10 TRY THE CARLSBAD BATHS-HIS TRIP WILL
NOT CHANGE HIS RELATIONS WITH
TAMMANY HALL
| Richard Croker has resigned the office Of City
Chamberlain. He went nom his own office TO
that of the Mayor about p. m yesterday and
handed Mayor Grant the following:
Office of the Chamberlain,
New-York Feb. 4, 1890.
Hon. Hugh J. Grant Mayor of the City of New-York
Sir: hereby tender my resignation as City Cham
berain, to take effect the appointment Of my sue
cessor. Yours respectfully,
RICHARD CROKER.
Ill-health was the cause assigned for Mr..
Croker's resignation, and during his brief inter
view with the Mayor yesterday this was the only
subject referred to- The subject had been a
frequent topic of discussion between them since
the Chamberlain's return from his Southern trip
two months ago. Mr. Croker was greatly dis
appointed with the results of his five weeks
vacation at that time, for it's benefits proved
to be much less than he anticipated and he often
told the Mayor that he mus resign; that his
strength was wholly unequal to the performance
of his duties. He has had for long time an
underlined belief that only absolute rest would
restore his health, but the incident which decided
him occurred on Saturday Mr.. Croker went to
the Chamberain's Office feeling unusually de-
pressed but he began to attend to his routine
work as usual Not long afterward a feeling
of dizziness overcame him, and he fell in faint
at his desk. DR.. Jenkins, the deputy-coroner, who
is Mr.. Crokers brother-in-law, was sent for. and
administered the needed remedies, after which
the Chamberlain was able to return to his home,
No 26 Mount Morris-ave. It now appears that
he has had other similar attacks of late, pre-
ceded by dizziness, though not Of SO serious
character as the one of Saturday.
To Mayor Grant Mr. Croker's decision was one
of deep regret, and although he knew that the
Chamberlain's mind was quite made up to resign,
the Mayor still hoped that it might not be found
necessary. After Mr. Croker had left the City
Hall Mayor Grant said to Tribune reporter;
/" Mr.. Croker three months ago said to me that he
would like to resign from Office owing to ill
health. In fact, before his last trip South he
thought seriously of resgning, but l dissuaded
him from so doing. / have again suggested TO
him that he might take another trip away and
still hold his Office, hoping that might have
the benefit of his services, but he has declined,
saying that he did not wish to be a public pen
sioner and that he would not receive the salary
of the office without performing its duties l
understand that he is going to Europe for
three or four months for the benefit of the baths
at Carlsbad, by the advice of his physician"
The Mayor added that he had not as yet de-
cided who should be Mr.. Crokers successor " In
deed, he said, his resigna ton has come to Inc
much Ia the nature OF a Shock, Notwithstanding
the fact that | not unprepared for it. | un-
derstand tnat MIR. Croker wants TO sail on Satur-
day or TUESDAY.
IN answer to q question as TO The possibility of
Mr.. CroKers condition Of hea til r. sutlng III his
eDdicaton as leader OF Ismm"qy IN hS Mayor
Mr. Croker will be back from Europe in three
months, and let us hope that ne will come back
well man.
reasons which impelled his resignation, said L
have resigned this Office because l feel that L am
not able TO perform its duties. have been asked
to retain the place, but cannot consclentlOusly
do so. When does my resignation take ehectE
you ask. just as soon as my successor Is appol1t-
ed | hope that the the Mayor i,yyOr,o will ,on make
/ am going to Try the baths at Carlsbad in the
hope tnat they will restore my health. think
that they will help me, and my friends are hope.
full II | can sail on Saturday shall 20 on the
steamship Fulda, of the North German Lloyd
Line. II | am delayed shall sail ON Tuesday
Mr.. Cookers appearance during the interview
was that of a man who Is tired OUT and there
was q listlessness in his demeanor unusual IN
him. lie often passed his hand over his head
in aimless way letting 1t 1aI again at his side
as though the eXertion wearied him.
- have frequent attacks of dizziness" he re
marked. These generally accompany great
bodily pain. Occasionally my stomach seems TO
expand, and reaching up presses against my heart
At least this is the feeling AT such times II
seems as if steel bands were grlpping, my Sides
and | am greatly oppressed for BREATH
Mr.. Croker said that his resignation as Cham-
berlain would not affect his relations with lam
many Hall. He would remain as chairman of
the Finance Committee and rs a member of the
Executive Committee of the organization. His
absence abroad, he did not expect would exceed
four months. lie had no intimation as to his
successor and declined TO give any hint on this
point
Commissioner Thomas F. Gilroy, of the Depart
ment of Public Works, said that he had been
aware for some time of Mr.. CrokerS condition and
felt sincere sympathy for him. Mr.. Gilroy said
that Mr. Croker would retain his place at the
head OF the Tammany Hall organization. Asked
who would succeed him as Chamberlain, Mr.:
GilrOy said Il would not venture any guess.
Alr. Croker has consulted Drs. Loomis and
Janeway regarding his condition and has been
under the care Of DR.. Beeltman, his family ply
sician and of his brother-in-law, Deputy Coroner
jenkins.
The news of the City Chamberlain's resignation
was received with genuine surprise in political
circles yesterday Although Mr.. Crokers bad
health was by no means secret, lew had
ina qined that il Of SO serious nature as TO
cause him to break down and relinqulsh an o1hce
which he himself admitted only few weeks ago
was worth, deducting all expenses, nearly $4,000
year The theory was advanced by some that
the big chief" did not care TO meet the nvesiga-
ton which the State Senate Committee on Cities
is preparing to make in all the New-York City
departments. but tne HldJOIllS VI otcu
about the hotels and clubs last evening, regardless
OF party, were disposed to believe that the reason
advanced by Mr.. Croker was the true one. and
that, he told the Mayor yesterday, he felt
that to retire from public employment was the
only way TO prolong his life.
Many names have been spoken of in connection
with the ofIce, but all speedily give place to
that Of Thomas F. Gilroy, the present Com
missioner of Public Works. " In my opinion
said prominent Tammany leader, Mr.. Gilroy
will succeed Mr. Croker City Chamberlain and
ore bp " succeed
Tammany Hall. With Croker out Of the way:
or disabled. the leadership Of the Wiiswam will
fall naturally TO Gilroy. There will he much
more Of a struggle as TO who shall take Com
missioner GDroy's place in the Department of
Public Works Yet this will he short fight too.
will exactly suit n man who has long been anxious
for this place-I mean Henry D. Purroy, president
Of the Board OF Fire Commissioners: Purroy's