New-York tribune., 1902-05-15
THINKS 1T WILL HELP G.. ". d.
W. II. RUSSELL on NIXONs RESIGNA-
TION-SHEEHAN WAITING TO FIND
OUT WHAT 1T MEANS.

Probably no one in New-York was more IN
terested in Lewis NiXon's sudden resignation
from the Leadership" of Tammany Hall than
was John c. sheehan. who knows from expert
ence what it means to rule the WigWam Wheh
Boss" Croker is abroad. Certainly no one had
less to say about it.
L have heard that Mr.. Nixon has resigned,
said Mr. Sheehan, last evening at his home IN
West Twenty third-st. "I have nothing to say
on the subject"
But it must mean a great deal to the Greater
New York Democracy" was suggested.
Il do not know. what il means" he said quick
ly. Il am waiting to find out. When I do it
is possible that I will have something to say
Tonight there is absolutely nothing on which
wish to be quoted"
Mr.. Sheehan would not say whether or not ne
was surprised at Mr.. Nixons action. He spent
the evening at the theatre with Mr.. Sheehah
and attended no conferences.
At the PequOd Club. No. 26I West twenty
ffth-st which is to Mr.. Sheehan what the
Democratic Club was to Mr.. Croker. there was
a gathering of the clan. They half expected
visit from the leader. in view of the important
Tammany developments
1T is a great thing for US" said one Of Shee-
hans Heutenants. TT means that all the
young men whom Nixon has gathered will come
us. They won't stand for any combination
that Carroll and the others will put up
"WeH get the Southern push. too" added an
other member of the club. Nixon had a per
sonal hold them, and they are sure to be
sore about the way he's been treated
Il told you So" said William Hepburn Rus
sell. chairman of the executive committee OF the
Greater New-York Democracy with a smile
that broadened into a laugh, when he learned
from a Tribune reporter that Mr.. Nixon had
resigned the Tammany leadership. He had been
bot hp NVOuld lut hardly
expected it before the September primaries. He
said:
Mr. Nixons resignation indicates the ap-
preaching defeat of the ruling powers in Tam
many Hall at the September primaries. 1t
means that honest and independent Democrats
will now rally to the support OF the Greater
New-York Democracy, and help us finally to
overthrow the most corrupt and mercenary po-
litical cabal that has ever controlled the Demo
cratic party organization in this city.
The failure of Mr.. Nixon was certain from
the start. He became leader in name only and
merely because Croker said so. He retireS now
because he cannot control the conflicting ele-
ments in Tammany Hall without the personal
presence of Croker to help him do so. Person
ally l like and respect Mr.. Nixon; but man
of his type deriving his authority only from
the delegated power of an absentee boss, can
permanently administer the affairs of Tammany
Hall leader
Mr.. Nixon was hopelessly Handicapped by
two facts: First-He was not chosen leader by
the Democratic voters and neither understood
nor represented the masses of the Tammany
voters.
'Second-Men of his own class could not accept
his leadership real because they knew its
SOurce, and felt that he would either be over
thrown retire in disgust because Of the cor
rupt elements in the organization, quite beyond
his control or influence.
The only salvation OF the Democratic party in
this city and in the State is through organized
and persistent opposition TO Tammany, under
the leadership of such man as John c. Shee-
han, who is a leader because masses of men wish
him to be. He is a successful leader because he
has rare capacity for leadership. My expert
ence teaches that he is honest courageous
and faithful He is not kid glove" leader, but
practical man. with practical political expert
ence. Now that Nixon is out of the Tammany
leadership, the only hope for a clean and hon
est Democratic organization is through the sue
cess of the Greater NewYork Democracy, un-
der the leadership of Mr.. Sheehan. Therefore.
we invite the support of all honest Democrats
for the Greater NeW-York Democracy
1--WE would even welcome Mr.. Nixon and his
friends TO support If they would abandon
Croker forever. Mr.. Nixon might well follow
Mr. Sheehan and learn something about New
York politics by doing He would find 1t
valuable experience
Personally, l regard the retirement of Nixon
only invitation for Croker to return and
attempt to resume power. Both the Nixon and
anti-NiXon factions really recognize Croker as
boss and while some Of them hate. they all
fear him. What Croker may do l cannot pre-
dict, do I care. His real power is over. He
may seek to regain 1t, but will fail The Demo-
Gratis of New-York City have learned their
power. and how to exrcise il. Under fair pri-
mary laws there will never be another boss like
Croker has been. Party differences Will now be
fought TO a finish inside the party lines and at
the primaries. The result will be Democratic
county committee that is Democratic, and a
leadership that leads, but does not boss"