The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-12
ICROKER GIVES
UP LEADERSHIP
| Lewis Nixon Now Head
Of Tammany Hall.
7 CROKER MADE SPEECH
Spoke in Usual Quiet Manner, But
There Mas Iremor in His Voice.
APPROVES Mr.. NIXON FULLY
He Appealed TO All to Give New Leader tue
Same Confidence He Always Enjoyed,
and Assured Them They Could
Not Be Beaten If They
Honestly Enforced
the Law.
APPROVES Mr.. NIXON FULLY
(BY Associated P-ess1

(By Associated PSess.)
NEW YORK, Jan. l1--Richard Croker
announced his retirement from the for
NAL leadership of Tammany Hall this
afternoon. The announcement was ma1a
at the meeting of the Executive Commit
tee, at which the plan of organizations
for the year 1902 was agreed upon. Lewis
Nixon was chosen as Mr.. Cookers sue
cessor. as the chairman Of the Finances
COMMITTEES.
This position. by long usage. carries
with it the leadership of the orsaniza-
ton
In announcing the name of Mr.. Nixon
for the Craftsmanship of the Finance Com
mittee, George NJ. Hoesen. president OF
the General Committee. said that the step
was taken at the desire Of Mr.. Croker
himself. Mr. Croker, however. did not
expresS himself until all the business be-
fore the meeting had been transacted.
when he arose and addressed the chair
There was a distinct rustic of expectancy
in ntiIe crowded room as he did so. He
spoke in his habitual quiet manner. tut
such a stiffness prevailed that every word
he uttered was clearly heard by alb. His
tone was conversational one, out there
was something like a tremor in his voice
and he walked back and forward across
the room in a way not familiar to those
who have often heard him speak.
HIS FULL APPROVAL.
In beginning he said that the appoint
ment of Mr.. Nixon to the Craftsmanship or
the Finance Committee had his full au-
prevail. and he hoped that Mr.. Nixon
would receive the SINE consideration and
good will which Lad been extended to
himself. He added:
IT know the young man we'll. and be-
leve that he will restore confidence in the
organization and bring back to its sup
port the army of Democrats that we lost
at the last election. hope that you will
give him the same confidence that have
enjoyed. I am continually receiving let
tiers from young men anxious to join
this organization who do not know how
to join and I hope that means will be-
found to bring many young men in The
people who left us for reasons of their
own can never build an organization up
against yours upon hatred derived from
the Republican party 1t is your duty to
strengthen yourselves and stand upon
principles and not upon patronage. Yo,t
know this organization holds the largest
vote when it holds no patronage. I have
heen in the organization thirty years, and
q ing that period it has polled larger
no patronage SO you need never fear the
efforts of men who leave US when they
fail to get positions. It Is neglect of your
selves and distrust OF your leaders which
will hurt you. If you conduct this organ
ization honestly and comply with the
laws. you can't be beat at any time.
In conclusion l want to ask you again
to have the same confidence in Mr. Nixon
that you have had in me, and have no
doubt of your -uccess.''
THE NEW LEADER.
Mr. Nixon. the new leader, rose rs
soon as Mr.. Croker sat down and very
briefly thanked the COMMITTEES for ths
| honor done him. IIe said:
Il need not say that this great honor
| was entirely unexpected and absolutely
| unsought by me- II was with sincere
regret that I learned that Mr. Croker
| had determined to retire. + was wilin.
| to remain in the ranks, but T will not
| accept an executive position and be 4
mere fisurehead. I am not So presump-
tuous as to imagine that can control ir,
| all things. but I can say that while {
| may not always have your support, =
| shall have it if I keep this position
promise to apply every effort and my
utmost strength to build up this organi-
zation.'
[
service to the organization was voted by
| the committee.
| Mr.. Nixon announced that he wonld
retain Thomas F. Smith. Mr. Croker.s
| secretary for 4 number OF years, for his
secretary.
A VIRGINIAN
Lewis Nixon. the new Tamn.any Lead
| er. was born in LeeshurS. VA. April Z.
| 1861. and received his early education IN
| the schools of that town. In 1878 he was
| appointed midshipman. and IN 1882 he
| graduated from the United States Naval
| Academy at the head of his class. He
was sent by the Navy Department TO
| the Royal Naval College. Greenwich.
England. and i'm 1854 he was transferred
| to the construction corps of the navy.
| In 1890 ne designed the battleships Ore
| gon. Indiana and Massachusetts,. and
| then resigned from the navy to become
| superintendent OF construction OF Cramps
| shipyard. Philadelphia. In 1895 he left
!, there and on his own account started :he
/ Crescent shipyard at Elizabethport New
! Jersey. where he has built one hundred
vessels in six years. among others the
| torpedo-boat Holland and the monitor
Florida. In 1893 he was appointed prest-
dent OF the East River Bridge Commits
sior by Mayor Van Wyck.