New-York tribune., 1901-02-26

The curtain rung down upon one Of tho
funniest farces this city has ever seen when
that mixed company. the Tammany Purifiers.
made their final report yesterday and went out
of business. The report sent to Daniel F.
Mcmahon chairman of the Executive Commit
tee Of Tammany Hall. the Five declining to
make It public but saying they had objec-
ton to Mr. Mcmahon giving it out for publica-
ton IL he wanted to. The only hint of what II
contained given out by Commissioners
Murphy. who said it consisted merely OF a re-
view and a summary of the work which the
committee has accomplished since it called
into being by Richard Croker.
Colonel Murphy did not attend the last meet
ing of the committee which was held yesterday
afternoon He busy at Police Headquar-
ters. The four other members were present. and
after a protracted session behind closed doors
Chairman Nixon came out in the anteroon.
where a crowd of newspaper men watt
ing, and without word laid the following state
ment the table and made a bee line for the
door. with the evident intent of evading ques-
tiOns:
Affairs are In such shape that this
committee can consistently end it's labOrs. and
a final report TO the Tammany Hall Executive
Committee has been signed.
The statement had been hurriedly scrawled on
piece of paper. the ragged edges of which
showed that it had been torn off without any
care for appearances.
To the newspaper men who at once surrounded
him Chairman Nixon said he would answer no
questions that the statement in itself was the
best explanation of the committees action. and
that beyond that nothing could be given out He
was asked. however if the statement meant that
the committee going out of business be-
cause it believed the placing of Mr.. Murphy at
the head Of the police force was such a guaran-
tee Of reform that the aid of purifying COM
mittee longer necessary.
Il not obliged TO answer that question:"
was his reply. and l won't"
Are you then going out of business because
you think you accomplish nothing while
Mr.. Murphy is at the head of the force?"
Neither am 1 obliged to answer that ques-
tion. and / won't"
Your silence is likely TO be construed unfa-
vorably To Tammany Hail.
Il can't help that. have acted consistently
all through this affair. and now am done
with it,"
Mr Nixon's face showed genuine Joy over the
relief which has come to him
"WiH you withdraw from Tamnsny HallT' ho
asked.
Most certainly not"
Have you heard from Mr. Croker?'
Il decline to tell
The general understanding is that CTokers
answer Mr.. Nixon's protest against the re-
tention OF Devery in the Police Department was
an intimation that the committee might cease
from its labOrs. Croker now felt sure Murphy
would continue the publication work so nobty
begun by the Five. If Croker was near a mir
ror when he wrote that message he must have
wfnlSed at himself.
The final report is signed by four members OF
I the committee. When Commissioner Murphy
was asked last night II he would also sign II.
/ he replied that he would gladly Being asked IL
he could give any reason for the Five going out
of business he did not give a direct reply, but
said that if the Executive Committee OF Tam
many Hall should instruct the Five to continue
its work the Five would doubtless do
Asked If he would be glad Of the Ffve's as
sistance in driving out vice. Mr.. Murphy said ne
would