New-York tribune., 1902-05-17
"UNITE." CRIES CROKER.
A LEADER WHO CAN KEEP
THE BOYS TOGETHER"
DENIES HE INTERPRETED WITH NIXON
WILL ONLY VISIT NEW-YORK TO
SEE HIS FRIENDS!

SEE HIS FRIENDS.
London, May 1G-Richard Croker began an in
terview to-day concerning the affairs of the
Tammany Society with emphatic protest
that he had ceased to meddIe in New-York poll
ties. "Thirty-seven years of political fighting
is enough for one life" he said. 'and 1 am done
with it. | tell you, once and for all. l settled
here to make the most of my remaining years.
and am spinning them out long as possible
I am not going to New-York again this year
1t will he a novelty to me to spend year round
in England. OF course. ! shall go 10 New-YOrk
some time to see my friends but never again
70 take part in politics"
Upon being reminded that Mr.. Gladstone had
twice been Premier after declaring that he had
retired. Mr. Croker said:
Mr.. Gladstone might have done so, but will
not There is no conceivable crisis in either
national or city politics which will drag me back
into the fray. My health won't stand the strain.
and am not going to sacrifice the remainder of
my days. even for the sake of Tammany'
When asked about the Nixon affair, Mr..
Croker said: There is nothing to conceal
very sad that there should be such trouble
in Tammany. 1 can only imagine that Nixon
found the place too hard and unable to lead
the bows can conceive OF no other reason for
this step. which did not foresee and which L
deeply deplore."
They say it was suggested. that it is your
fault; that you tried to boss the boss and that
he wouldn't stand it?"
There is not a word of truth in it replied
Mr.. Croker. and he proceeded TO explain that
Robert A. Van Wyck's candidacy for the post
of grand sachem in no way concerned the politi-
cal organization of Tammany.
IF Van Wyck is elected grand sachem it
would not give him any control of the politi-
sachems are only concerned with the philan-
thropic side OF the work. For the last seven or
eight years the sachems have been elected and
reelected. My friend Feitner was grand
sachem before Nixon was appointed leader.
Feitner appointed committee who presented
the ticket of names for submittal to the society
for election. On this ticket were the new names
of Nixon, Van Wyck. Freedman and Keenan,.
Nixon, however. objected TO making any change,
and cabled NE follows:
II think it well TO make change in the
old committee. our enemies would take ad-
vantage of it to make capital of it
That's the only cablegram OF any kind l
have had from Nixon since he became leader.
To this l replied follows:
DO as you please in the matter
There was not much dictaton in that.
there" asked Mr.. Croker. "As a result. the old
lot we're reappointed with the exception of
Keenan,, who had been substituted for Whalen,
and thought everything going smoothly.
Afterward Freedman wrote me. insisting that
there were some differences of opinion, and
sent Freedman this cabegram:
Stand by Nixon: can't afford To have al
disagreement: we want the party united
ION Tuesday. May Is, my partner Meyer,
cabled me asking my opinion concerning the
grand saChem candidates. and adding that Van
Wyck, Feitner. Mcclellan and r. r. Roosevelt
were being talked of. This set me to thinking.
l knew nothing of Nixons views but l knew
that Nixon had been the leading man at Van
Wyck's reception just before he retired from
office Van WyCk had appointed Nixon Bridge
Commissioner. and there was hardly a single
sachem that Van Wyck had not stood by. L
supposed that Van Wyck and Nixon were still
the greatest of friends. Therefore, when L
cabed, as l did on May H. that if was in New
York | would certainly vote Tor Van Wyck. the
last thing had in mind was that was saying
anything which would not meet with Nixon's
heartest approval
Nov YOU have the whole story. ] had not
notion of interfering. much less of debating.
The idea that this expression of opinion to my
partner was intended TO rally my friends against
Nixon is absurd. My friends are at skies and
sevens i'm this matter. They are about equally
divided half for Van Wyck and half for some
body else / have done nothing whatever TO
tntIuenCe them one way the other Whether
diterence to me. I think he is a good fellow
who stood by his friends, and that his friends
should stand by him.
What l want see is union; if the boys do
not hold together they will give away the whole
thing into the hands of their enemies. IL is per-
fectly ridiculous to split the party ON the grand
sachem question, which is purely honorary
Office, and which does not give any additional
pull in politics, and why any one should make
split upon the election of such an officer l can
not understand
Mr. Croker admitted the possibility that his
mis- have been mlSreprSSelteQ bur he
insisted that he had never authorized any one
to saw anything TO encourage the revolt against
Nixon or to make il difficult for Nixon TO fulfil
his duties.
1T is monstrous to lay the blame of his aban-
donment of an office which he Iinds to be more
than he can manage upon my shoulders" added
Mr. Croker
hope that Nixon would return to office. but he
declined any expression of opinion who
was competent to replace him leader, de-
claring: They must find somebody who is able
to keep the boys together. If they don't. every
thing is and they will succeed best if left to
themselves"