The record-union., 1894-05-26
CROKBR'S RESIGNATION.
The Great Tammany Chief Steps
Down and Out.
He is Worn Out Physically and Tired
of the Struggles of Political Leader
ship-Attacks Upon His Family by
a Newspaper ''the Last Straw"

a Newspaper ''the Last Straw"
Irregular Correspondence Of RECORD UNION ]
NEW YORK, May 12-Richard Croker
began to resign the boss-ship Of Tam
many Hall on Monday last. To few re-
porters he complained of the amount OF
work he had on hand and the negligence
OF his district leaders, but he denied that
he would resign his position at the head
Of the Finance Committee of the organlz-
ton. Only the grumble was needed py
his associates, who hurriedly LETT thelr
offices to go to the hall In Fourteenth
street to see what was the matter. When
they came out, they intimated that Croker
was going. From that day on each edl-
ton of the newspapers announced some
new resolution of the boss, until on
Thursday afternoon he resigned all his
chairmanships and memberships IN COM
mittees and became mere member OF
the Iammany Hall General Committee,
which is simply the list Of Tammany
workers.
For nine years that man has ruled this
city, welding a power such as few princes
can boast of. Why did he voluntarily
give it up7 He said, because his health
demanded it. That was one true reason.
The contest that is approaching Will
probably be the most severe that the
Democracy in this city ever had. Croker
dreaded it physically. His nerves re-
volted from the preparation for it, when
he said to the reporters, pointing to his
mail, Look at that pile of stuff" Those
letters contained complaints, demands
for Office, threats, warnings OF desertion,
etc. There were conflicting claims for
preference, he could not decide between
without splitting still wider the breach
in the organization. He shrank from the
Offlce-seekers and was sickened as our
Presidents are by the nasty work. That
was bodily sensation.
But Croker had no more offices to give.
He represented the organization; had
given everything, no doubt, shrewdly to
the most deserving politician, and he
stood at bay before the disappointed men
TO whom he and Tammany owed obliga
tions unfulfilled. If he got out those
claimants would have new hopes that by
remaining in the organization their wants
may be satisfied by his successor. With
his retirement he postponed all demands.
That was another reason and Croker had
many, as most men have, for any impor-
tant act.
He is wealthy and has formed good
business connections in the real estate
firm of Peter T. Meyer & Co. He loves
horses, has q stable that won $780, ,000 last
year and must put his runners on the
track this month. These are the reasons
his enemies point out as the real motives
OF his action.
Every good citizen is an enemy of
Croker and his kind, but the truth is bad
enough TO content the purest minds.
This Tammany boss had one sensitive
spot, which only recently, within the
last two years, has been attacked. His
wife and children are honest, and his
family life, so far as any one knows,
is exemplary. One newspaper has
entered that sphere, and made the poll
tician sick. In the very last official
announcement of Croker's resignation,
that made TO the General Committee last
night, the "desire of his family" was
named for the first time as one of his
reasons. It, also, is a true reason. Let it
stand with the rest, to the credit of the
man and to the discredit of the press.
Such sins are decreasing in journalism,
which has to offset it the credit of having
given Croker an unexpressed reason for
getting out, in its unceasing, correct and
just criticism of his political acts and
methods. l was told yesterday by
friend of the eX-boss that he suffered
bitterly from newspaper criticism, and
that that in large part drove him out of
politics. My informant, whom / trust,
said, furthermore, that Croker was
grieved more sorely by the attacks on
him for political acts of the party, for
which he was not only not resp ponsible, but
which he had opposed. An instance of
this was in the nomination of Isaac II.
Maynard for the Supreme Court of the
State. AS was stated at the time in those
letters, Croker opposed that nomination,
but he was charged with it, nevertheless,
even more than was Senator Hill, who
was the one man who insisted on having
Maynard at the head of the ticket.
Within the machine there were other
reasons for Croker's retirement. The
district leaders are contending for power
and for places for their followers. They
had to get everything from Croker and
he had nothing more to give. Many of
them are sngry, and some have either re-
signed, like Congressman Dunphy, or
hold aloof disobedient of orders, like
Congress man Parke Cochran. Only new
leader can mend those broken places,
a man with no obligations and all his
favors dependent on future work and
successes. Croker meant that his going
should be help to Tammany in this re-
spect.
But it looks very much as though his
usual sagaclty were wanting IN this view
of the situation. IL was shrewd move
as presented. The difficulty is in the
state of the feelings and the character of
the subordinate leaders. He knows his
men we'll, better than anyone else per-
haps, but his view is clouded with his
other DESIRES his other reasons. His
leaders lack his foresight. his calm rea-
soning power and that measure of un-
selfishness (which was his always, which
makes temporary sacrifices for ultimate
ends He leaves three am bilious men to
strive for his place, and all are men who
will fight brutally. recklessly, for their
ends. One of them would sacrifice Tam
many. Democracy, every body and every
thing to serve himself. That is James J.
Martin, the man l know best.
He is shrewd, strong man, eminently
lust according TO his light, but crude
of mind and manner. He combines
Croker's powers of manipulation with
HilPs coldness. Like the latter he
is a good friend and very vim
dictive, unforgiving enemy. His fol-
lowing is small. but resolute. Martin
has done much for those who have
supported him in the crisis of
his career, and as you per-
haps know, there have been several
of them He tried to supplant Croker
once when the boss was away in Europe.
and nearly accomplished his purpose.
II was found then that he and his clique
were cold-blooded politicians, ready and
quick with the political knife. But those
who were not behind him learned that
Martin was too willing to punish, and that
lesson Will operate TO defeat his present
purpose. The next leader must be some
man from whom all may expect some
thing. 1t is known whom Martin would
betriend and whom he would get even
with. The latter are many and will op-
pose bitterly every effort he may make TO
carry through his plot. The resistance,
however strong. will be not more than
equal to ms determination to get in. II
he feels he has strength enough and
makes an attempt TO become leader, the
internal rupture of Tammany Hall will
lNlN ha fhe