New-York tribune., 1901-02-24
NIXON IN RAGEATMURPHY Y
HAS APPEALED TO CROKER ABOUT
DEvERY's APPOINTMENT.
TREACHERY SOMEWHERE. HE PRACTICALLY
ADMITs-CHOICE OF MURPHY URGED
BY THE FIVE. WHICH HAD DE-
NOUNCED DEVERY.

| The man with the "reeking blade is he with
a silver tube in his stomach, the new Police
| Commissioner. Michael c. Murphy.
Mr. Nixon is stunned. amazed. still somewhat
incredulous and filled with a novices wonder
that a tenderfoot like himself should have
been chosen the principal figure in the
slaughter house tragedy. Michael G. Murphy.
! believing that Richard Croker will take care
| of him. and that IL he has made any mistake
| IL is on the safe Tammany side of the gamblers
and dive keepers awaits events. hoping that
he will escape the sand blast. and that his
name will he handed down great man
William $ Devery. the cause of the blood let
ting has laid in extra supply Of the pc
culiar elixir warranted to grow half inch hog
hide a human being within thirty days.
grins and says: They can't hurt me-
n Mr. Nixon is the brainy. potential man that
he is said 10 he. if ne has love for truth and
Justice built on the solid lines Of the battleship
Oregon. which he is said to have designed-if
Mr.. Nixon is this sort Of man. his admirers
saw he can doubtless have his revenge in No
vember next.
Mr. Nixon yesterday morning sent cable
message 70 Richard Croker at Vantage. Eng
land. asking him II he authorized or indorsed
the appointment Of Devery. II Croker says yes.
Mr. Nixon, his friends say. will resign from the
| Committee Of Five II Croker SAYS no. Mr..
| begin the hardest battle for supremacy in Tam
many Hall that ever enlivened the pages OF
| pirate history. for Richard Croker will then
have begun the household thrashing Of the bad
| boys who, ~ Tammany expression.
getting away with all the dough-"
What does Nixon say?'
What will Nixon do?"
| VIII Nixon get out?"
VIII the old man throw over Nixou?"
rs Nixon a quitter?'
These were some of the expressions from
| Tammany men yesterday. and they were ac-
companied with the smile and the sneer Of hard
/ ened experience.
| NIXON ANGRY THROUGH AND THROUGH.
When Lewis Nixon read his morning papers
Yesterday he unusually angry. There is a
! telephone in his house. and every time he
/ swered ring a voice came through the electric
stiffness:
/ What do you think about the appointment OF
Devery?"
It's shame and an outrage-those people
are capable OF anything" went hack over the
I wire 70 one OF his fellow Purifiers.
/ Mr. Nixon stiII was much wrought up when
/ The reporters saw him at 40 o'clock and ssked
/ sor statement.
/ Il won't say a word" said he II don't dare.
/ Ia explode ~ I did. That's true. n gave ex-
| preston 10 my feelings there would bs an ex-
| pIoson here. Those people are capable OF any
| thing"
Mr. Nixon hurried downtown To the office ~ NJ.
Marley Platzek. who like himself day in
December last loaded up heavily with shares
/ I'm the Limited Association for Uncovering Tam
! many Hall DeviItry. r. Croker. England. silent
| partner. Each man examined the others eye
teeth. and agreed that at last they were cut be-
yond doubt. Then Mr.. Nixon cabled his in
ouiry 10 Richard Croker. and soon afterward
went 10 his shipbuilding works at Eliza
/ bethport At o'clock he was back home
again. AZ No IL West Thirty -ninth-st,
delegation Of reporters awaited him. They or
ganizad BOARD OF Inquiry on his case at once.
and this WAS the testimony.
o-Mr Nixon. has Mr.. Croker Endorsed or
| authorized the appointment Of Devery? Al
| cannot bring myself 10 believe that Mr. Croker
has done anv such thing II Mr.. Croker sent a
cable permitting or indorsing the appointment
| Of Devery. he was grossly deceived by some one.
| O-What do you think OF Devery's appoint
ment? Al think II is unwise. both from n
| point Of competency and Of policy. Under his
| administration the Police Department reached
the most acute stage in the history of the city
o-Are you going TO get off the Committee Of
Ftve7 A-Haven't made up my mind yet.
| o-You were pretty angry this morning? A
Yes Oaughing), that's so; but I've cooled off a
| little since.
o-Mr. Nixon. is not Mr.. Murphy. the new
| Chief man OF strong personality-a man OF
| force? A.-wer er-er-I suppose fairly so
Own Devery dominate Murphy? Al
! don't know: that remains to be seen
| Own YOU serve on Commissioner Murphy
| list Of the gambling houses and disOrdery
| houses such as you served his predecessor?
A.-The District Attorney has them already.
| o-Don't you consider il strange that man
| familiar with all the testimony against the po-
| lice which has been placed in the hands of the
District Attorney should accept a position where
| he is likely to nullify the evidence? A-Why
don't YOU write that out? I can't answer such
| long question
Q-Mr. Murphy's appointment was urged by
| the Committee of Five. was II not? Al did
| not consult with any one about II.
| O-CommissiOner. the other day you said the
committee was a unit in its desire 10 find the
| man i'm the Police Department responsible for
the great prevalence OF vice Your committee
practically accused Devery OF being the man.
| Now one Of your committee appoints Devery
| Deuutv Commissioner. and you and your asso
ciates on the committee are both angry and
shocked The impression prevails that there
was treachery on the part either or Mayor van
| Wvck Commissioner Murphy or Mr.. Croker.
| Was there any tTeachery? A-fou nave out
/ lined the situation beautifully. but i can't an
| swer your question tonight
NJ. Marley PIatzek went into Mr.. Nixon's
| house as the reporters came out
PLATZEK NOT PLEASED WITH DEVERY-
What do you think OF the appointment OF
DAvery?" ne asked.
1T was very unwise and impolitic.' said MFR.
/ Platzek
AS one Of the Committee of Five what are
Won roine m do about It?" he was asked.