New-York tribune., 1902-05-21
CALLS A JUDGE A LIAR,
HEATING ABUSES FITZsIMONS AND
STARTS A RIOT.
GRADY GETS IN FEW SLY DIGS AT NIXON AT
MEETING TO CHOOSE TAMMANY LEADER
IN XXTH DISTRICT.


IN xXrH DISTRICT.
AT the meeting of the delegates 10 the Demo-
cratic General Committee of the XXth Assem-
bly District at the Tammany Central Club East
Thirty -second-st.. last night, at which Thomas
F. Murphy was elected leader Of the district in
place of James P. Heating. who retired. the
latter passed the lie to Judge James Nj. Fitz-
simons. and a riot almost ensued. Pandemoni-
um regned for five minutes. and the chairmans
gavel beat tattoo on the table. There were
shouts of Put Fitzsimons out!' but the judge
sat undisturbed. and remained throughout the
proceedings The incident occurred before the
nomination of candidates for the leadership, OF
whom there were four. Mr.. KeatinS had brought
Senator Thomas F. Grady to the meeting that
he might use his eloquence in behalf of Muir
ply, whom Keating had decreed should succeed
him as leader Senator Grady told of the dis
sensions in the district, and said they had been
caused by Judge Fitzsmons. who had revied
Mr. Heating with vituperation and abuse.
rs Fitzsmons in the room?' half a dozen
in the crowd asked and the judge stood up.
Senator Grady continued saying that the judge
had not been a voter in the district for five
years. vet had been responsible for all the dis
sension.
Il notice" said Judge Fitzsimons in reply.
that notwithstanding the fact that have not
been a voter in the district, my check has been
received by Mr. Keating previous TO every cleo
ton and has never been returned to me-
You're a liar shouted Keating; you're
uarr" shaking his fist at Judge Ftzsimons.
The room was Immediately in an uproar and
i, was with the greatest difficulty that the
chairman succeeded in restoring order MT
Keating's wrath had not subsided, however
and ne took occasion to invite Cornelius +. Col
lins, who presided. to lay down the gavei ana
step down from the platform.
you're a candidate for election to the Lead
ership," said Mr.. Keating. shaking his finger IN
the air. land If you're a man you'll retire from
the Craftsmanship of this meeting. Your rulings
have been unfair and biassed, and | don pro pro
pose to stand for it. If you don't change your
methods 1 will insist that the vice-chalrrnaii
take your place"
In eulogizing Mr. Heating. Senator Grady TOOK
a shy at Lewis Nixon. who recently retired trom
the leadership of Tammany Hall
of the party without consulting any OF the as
trict leaders, said Senator Grady, and left
the party in a state of decentralization. want
to saw that this is one OF the districts that is
controlled by Richard Crokers friends.
IL can assure you ALL" continued Mr. Grady,
that you need not wait until Thursday Tor
positive assurance that Tammany Hall will re-
main in the control of Mr.. Croker's friends, ana
Mr. Keating has played his part in bringing 1t
about / want TO saw TO you that Mr.. Nixon
was not driven from the leadership as''-and he
turned and faced Judge Fitzsimons-"as has
peen stated
IF you mean that I said that. Senator. you
are telling the ruth" exclaimed Justice FttZ-
simons. and he arose and started up the aisle
toward the silver tongued orator.
You think I not telling the truth. said
Senator Grady. because you do not know 1t
all"
At this point there was great excitement and
tumult. and several men stepped between the
Senator and the Justice. Nothing happened
however.
The next time my friends think am threat
ened with assault" said Senator Grady, Il hope
they will not get between us. | know that Mr.
Nixon was not driven out. There is great mys-
terry TO about many submarine cable
grams, which convey assurances as to what Mr.
Croker wants and what he does not want. After
the sachems had been elected without dis
senting vote, Mr.. Nixon asked that the grand
sachem be reelected. The sachems met and
did not turn anybody out, nor elect anybody
but before vote cast Mr.. Nixon left Of his
own accord But on Thursday Mr.. CrOker's
friends will proclaim that they are still i'm
troll of Tammany Hall. just they will pro-
claim tonight that they are in control of this
district
Mr.. Keating's opponents sought TO adjourn
the meeting until June 3. but the motion was
defeated and the delegates proceeded TO nom
mate candidates. Mr.. Murphy was elected on
the first ballot with - votes. William J. Boy
han received II, Cornelius F. Collins l3 and Cor
nelius Gallagher l.