Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-07
Comment at the Capitol.

Chief Croker's purpose Of resigning from
the head of Tammany was authoritatively
made known to leading New York members
Of Congress today. Early in the day there
were reports that Mr.. Croker contemplated
such move, but II was too much Of a sur
prise to be credited. AS a result a telegram
was sent to Mr.. Croker in person, and he
confirmed the report.
The announcement created a sensation
among the Tammany men in the House.
They met in groups in the lobbies and ex-
citedly discussed the situation.
Representatives Cochran and Dunphy,
who have been identified as anti-Croker
members Of Tammany, had their heads to-
gether.
Mr.. Dunphy resigned from Tammany only
a few weeks ago. announcing his resgna-
tion In public letter which severely ar
raigned Croker
Mr.. Dunphy said today: ''The resignation
is great surprise to me. / had known
that II must come as soon Mr.. Croker
recognized that it was essential to the well
rare ana preservation of Tammany. But 1
did not think he would reach this conclu-
sion SO soon. AS to what the effect will be
that depends on the choice of Mr.. Croker's
successor. IL there is to be an end OF one
man power the effect will be very bene-
ficial."
Mr.. Bourke Cochran said: II know moth
ing about II, but l presume II is true. 1
have not been in Mr.. Crokers confidence
Tor two years. i have nothing to say
The Information that Mr.. Croker is con-
templating resgning the chiefship of Tam
many came first In the form of a rumor
which spread quickly through the House
exciting very great interest among the DEM
ocrats, especially among the southern men.
who expressed very great regret. Most Of
the New York men were taken by surprise
though 1t is believed that Mr.. Hill and Mr.
Murphy and possibly some Others had
learned Crnlyar u-h hzra ~ a.
intention. Rumors of trouble in Tammany
and OF the possibility of Mr.. Croker's sre-
signing have been started from time to
time for several months.
Mr. Croker, continuing said: II shall ask
the executive committee to appoint one or
more subcommittees to relieve me Of the
routine work. am not trying to dodge any
duty or responsibility, and shall ntinue 10
do all I'm my power for the success of the
organization and of democratic principles
But as matters have been going l have
mad an immense amount Of purely routine
work to do. When l am absent from the
city. no one even attempts to answer the
letters that accumulate
i want TO arrange matters so that IL I
desire TO so away from the city for three
months. my work will be attended to in my
absence
This does not mean that / have any
intention of resigning. / shall talk the mat
ter over with the members Of the execu-
tive committee between now and the meet
ing of the committee on Thursday, and 1
hope they will agree to name the commit
tee ask for.
Il only want them to attend to the i'm
mense correspondence and relieve me of
details, so that will be able to get out
more.
i want to make 1t perfectly clear. how
ever, that am not trying to shirk any
duty or responsibility OF leadership"
Representative Quigg, the only New York
city republican in Congress, said; Mr.
Srokers retirement has been talked about
Tor several months-in fact. ever since the
democratic reverses of last fall-but those
who knew him best have been slow to be-
lieve that he would run away under fire
There must be an explanation of this
Leadership. even in Tammany Hall in
wolves something more or less in the nature
OF responsibility, and a man cannot step
out without raising numerous Inquiries
There Is now at work in New York a legis-
lative investigation committee
Mr.. Croker has grown in several different
kinds OF stature In a remarkably short
space OF time 1t seems to me that his de-
velopment and his retirement should hoth
be looked into. or course, this sort OF a
withdrawal is confession. The only oues-
ton is just how much 1t confesses."
Mr. Croker was here yesterday comforting
with certain of the Tammany Hall mem
bers of the House and Senator's Hin and
Murphy, and left for New York at 4 O'Clock.
He announced his intention Of resgning at
that conference.
Representative Dewitt Warner said
There have been in Tammany Hou uars
II
ana rumors of wars for a long time and
presume the time has come when Mr.,
Croker considers 1t best to step down and
out He simply abdicates his authority"
DO you believe he did so in anttcipa lion
or coming defeat inside the Organization 30
Not necessarily: Mr. Croker has been
through some hard battles. The fact that
the organization is faced by hostility may,
however. have had its weight"
who will his successor be?'
Il don't know, and i don't think anyone
can tell now. Things must drift for a time
Just as they did after John Kelly's death.
Any succession will be temporary until nt-
ness to command can be demonstrated
Mr.. Cochran will go to New York at
O'Clock this afternoon, presumably on
matters connected with the retirement of
Mr.. Croker The later dispatches from
New york, saying that Mr.. Croker was not
retiring, but only asking for a relief from
work, lead to characterization of the
move by any member as a blind ''It is
intended, said he, ito give Croker and
those In control an opportunity to put some
one forward"