Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-05-15
NIXON LEAVES TAMMANY
orOksr's Successor Resigns, as he Says, to
Maintain His sslf-Respect.
WILL NOT Be DRIVEN AGAINST HIS WILL
spurns Any Vote of COnndence-After
His Resignation He Announces His
Permanent Withdrawal
from Politics.

NEW YORK. May 14.-Lewis Nixon.
leader of Tsmmany Hall for nearly six
months, resigned that position today At
meeting Of the district leaders held in Tam
y " hall. While the resignation was not
= unexpected. II was not thought
Mr.. Nixon would take such positive
-. N until a later date. FIRST awaiting the
ae,ion Of the leaders to see II they would
give him a vote Of confidence, and went
so far as to say that he could no longer
retain his self-respect II he remained as
leader.
The meeting of the district leaders was
called at the instance Of Mr.. Nixon, who
on Tuesday night sent telesraphic messages
to all Of the thirty-seven. This action fol-
lowed deadlock at the meeting Of the
sachems OF the Tammany Hall society Mon
day. when Mr.. Nixons intention Of retain
ing Thomas L. Feitner as grand sachem
was frustrated by a tie vote, there being
six Of the sachems Of the thirteen for and
six against the retention. the thirteenth,
George c. Clauseon. being absent
Demands Full Leaderahip.
The action Of that time caused general
discussion of the possibilities Of Mr.. Nixon
losing control Of the organization. and the
combination headed by John F. Carroll GUST
Ing him. Mr.. Nixon, in an interview on
Tuesday. said IL he could not have the con-
hdence Of the leaders he would get out"
When Mr.. Nixon arrived at Tammany
hall today all OF the thirty-seven leaders
were present. As soon as the meeting was
called to order Mr.. Nixon arose from a
front seat and said:
Gentlemen, / have determined to resign
as leader OF Tammany Hall This resigna-
tion is absolute and positive. and will not
be withdrawn. I wish 1t to take effect i'm
mediately. / feel that cannot retain my
self-Tespect and still remain the leader Of
Tammany Hall My decision is unalter-
able"
Passes Out Cheap Bouquet.
There was a moments silence when Mr..
Nixon had finished. Then Colonel Michael
c. Murphy made a very complimentary
speech in praise OF Mr.. Nixon. He did not
say, however, that he wished him to re-
main as leader. He said that Mr.. Nixon
had done splendid work as the leader and
had the confidence OF all the leaders
Mr.. Nixon Jumped to his feet as soon
as Colonel Murphy had finished and said:
Il do not desire any vote OF confidence
whatever"
He Immediately left the room, followed
by an outburst OF handclapping. Outside
the meeting room Mr. Nixon would only
say to the newspaper r1en:
Il am out as leader OF TammAny Hall.
Ship building h my business; I am out OF
politics and I am glad of It. I will devote
my time to my business Of ship building
and will talk about that by the hour, but
will not talk about politics hereafter. The
cause Of my resignation Is plain. / could
have won out and elected Mr.. Feitner grand
sachem, but would not appeal to Mr..
Croker"
Conference of Chiefs.
Following the departure OF Mr. Nixon
several OF the leaders remained for some
time in groups chatting about the resigna-
tion and the possible Developments It was
announced that a meeting OF the executive
committee Of district leaders will be held
Thursday, at which time Mr.. Nixon's res
ignation will be acted upon.
There were numerous rumors about the
hall regarding the future policy Of the or
ganization. The most persistent one, and
one that was endorsed by several leaders.
was that there would be no actual leader
OF Tammany Hall for some time to come.
This was coupled with a rumor that the
finance committee would be abolished, as
well as the chairmanship Of this COM
mittee
The chairman, who is now Lewis Nixon
ana was Richard Croker, as such had
the handling Of the funds OF the orRaniza-
tion in the political campaigns.