Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-05-19
NEW LEADER CREATES A Decd
Ed SENSATION
BY SUDDEN RESIGNATION
Says He Cannot Remain at Head Of
Organization and Retain His Self
Representatives, Vote of Several
Leaders Leads to Prompt Action by
Croker's Successor.

New York, May 15.-Lewis Nixon,
six months, resigned that position yes
terday at a meeting Of district leaders,
held in Tammany hail. While the
resignation was not entirely unexpect-
ed, it was not Thought Nixon would
take such positive action until later
date, first waiting the action of the
leaders to see if they would give him
vote of confidence. Instead Of this
he refused to allow any vote OIL cont
dence and went so far as to say he
could no longer retain his self-respect
if he remained leader. The meeting
of the district leaders was called at
the instance OF Nixon. This action
followed deadlock at a meeting or
sachems Of the Tammany society Mon,
day, when NiXon'S intention of retain
ing Thomas L. Feitner as grand sach-
EN- was frustrated by tie, six Sacn-
ems being for, and six against reten-
ton; the thirteenth, George G. Calus-
en-, being absent. The action at that
time caused general discussion Of
the possibilities of Nixon losing con-
troll of the organization, and of a COM
bination, headed by John F. Carrol,
ousting him. Nixon, in an interview
Tuesday, said if he could not have he
confidence of the leaders, he would
"get out"
When Nixon arrived at Tammany
hall yesterday all of the thirty-seven
leaders were present. Nixon arose
from the front seat and said:
II have decided to resign as the
leader of Tammany hall. This resIg-
nation is absolute and positive and
will not be withdrawn. I wish it to
take effect Immediately. l feel | can
not retain my self-reSpect and stin
remain the leader of Tammany hall
My decision is unalterable.'
There was a moments silence when
Nixon finished. Then Col. Michael G.
Murphy made a complimentary speech
il, praise of Nixon. He did not say,
however, that he wished him to remain
leader. He said Nixon had done splen,
did work as leader, and he had the
confidence of all the leaders. Nixon
finished and SAID:
Il do not desire any vote OF conf
dence whatever"
He Immediately left the room follow
ed by an Outburst Of handclapping.
Outside the meeting room Nixon said:
I'm out as leader of Tammany hall
Shipbuilding is my business. IN out
of politics and am glad of It. I will
devote my time to shipbuilding. The
cause of my resignation is plain. I
could have won out and elected Feitnzr
grand sachem, but I would not appeal
to Croker"
1t was announced a meeting of the
executive committee of Tammany lis
trict leaders will be held today, when
NixOn's resignation will be acted upon.
There are numerous rumorS regarding
the future policy of the organization
The most persistent was that there
would be no actual leader of Tammauy
hall for some time. This was coupled
with rumOr that the finance commit
tee would be abolished, as we'll as the
Craftsmanship of this committee. The
chairman, who is now Lewis Nixon,
and was Richard Croker, has always
been leader of Tammany and as suck
had the handling of the funds of the
organization in political campaigns,