The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-12
LEWIS NIXON TO WORK HARD

NEW YORK, Jan. 11.-Richard Croker
announced his retirement from the for
NAL leadership of Tammany hall this
afternoon. The announcement was made
at the meeting of the executive commit
tee, at which the plan of organiza ton
for 1902 was agreed upon. Lewis Nixon
was chosen as Mr. Croker's successor,
as the chairman of the finance COM
mittee. This position by long usage
carries with it the leadership of the or
ganization.
In announcing the name of Mr. Nixon
for the Craftsmanship of the finance
committee, George NJ. Van Hoesen, pres
ident of the general committee, said
that the step was taken at the desire of
Mr.. Croker himself.
Mr.. Croker, however, did not express
himself until all the business before the
meeting had been transacted, when he
arose and addressed the chair. There
was distinct rustic of expectancy
in the crowded room as he did so. He
spoke in his habitually quiet manner,
but such a stiffness prevailed that every
word he uttered was clearly heard by
all. His tone was a conversational one,
but there was something like a tremor
in his voice, and he walked back and
forth across the room in way not en-
tirely familiar to those who have often
heard hm speak.
CEOhAOc bSAAeFNS IN NIXOH.
In beginning he said that the appoint
ment of Mr. Nixon to the chairmanship
OF the finance committee had his full ap-
Proval, and he hoped that Mr.. Nixon
would receive the same consideration
and good viii which had been extended
to himself. He added:
81 Know the young man well and be-
lieve ne will restore confidence in the
organization and bring back to it's sup
port the army of Democrats that we lost
at the last election. 1 hope that you
will give him the same confidence that I
have enjoyed. I am continually receiv-
ing letters from young men anxious to
Join this organization who do not know
how to join. And I hope that means
will be found to bring more young men
In. The people who left US for reasons
Of their own can never build an organi-
Eation up against yours upon patronage
received from the Republican party
Il think it is your duty to strengthen
yourselves and to stand on principles,
not on patronage. You know this organ
Ization generally polls the largest vote
when it has no patronage. I have been
in the organization thirty-five years, and
during that period it has polled a larger
vote proportionately when it had no
patronage. So you need never fear the
efforts of men who leave US because
they wish to get positions. It is the
neglect Of yourselves and distrust of
your leaders which viii hurt you. If
you conduct this organization honestly
and comply with the laws you can
be beat at any time.
Nixon Promises to Work.
Mr. Nixon, the new leader, rose as soon
as Mr. Croker had sat down, and very
briefly thanked the committee for the
honor done him. He said:
41,;-.
was entirely unexpected and absolutely
unsought by me. 1t was with sin
cere regret that 1 learned that Mr.. Gro
ker had determined to retire. I was
willing to remain in the ranks. But
will not accept an executive position
and be a mere figurehead. l am not
so preSumptuouS as to imagine that l
can control in all things. But [ can say
that while I may not always have your
support, I shall have it if I keep this
position. 1 promise to apply every eff
fort and my utmost strength to build up
this organization.
A vote of thanks to Mr.. Croker for
his service to the organization was vot-
ed by the committee.
Mr.. Nixon announced that he would re-
tain Thomas F. Smith, Mr.. Croker's
secretary for a number of years, as
his secretary.
New Leader a Virginian.
Lewis Nixon, the new Tammany- lead
er, was born in Leesburg, Va. April 7,
1861, and received his early education
in the schools of that town. In 1873 he
was appointed a midshipman, and in
1882 he was graduated from the United
States naval academy at the head of his
class. He was sent by the navy depart
ment to the royal naval college, Green
Wich, England and in 1884 he was trans
ferred to the construction corps of the
navy. In 1890 he designed the battle
ships Oregon, Indiana and Massachu-
setts, and then resigned from the navy
to become experimenting constructor of
the Cramps shipydrd in Philadelphia.
In 1885 he left there, and on his own
account started the Crescent shipyard
at Elizabethport, n. J., where he has
built 100 vessels in six years, among
others the torpedo boat Holland and
the monitor Florida. In 1898 he was an
pointed president of the East River
bridge commission by Mayor Van Wyck.
He is consulting engineer of the Cramp
Shipbuilding company, Philadelphia:
president OF the International Smoke1ess
Powder and Dynamite company. UnitcI
States Long Distance Automobile com
pany, Carbon Axle company; trustee Of
Webb's Academy and Home for Ship
builders. and director of the Idaho Ex-
ploration and Mining company. He has
written several books.
Richard Croker was born in Black
Rock, County Cork Ireland, Nov a.
1913. He was brought to this country
when only two years old and received
his education in me public schools Of
New YORK city. In 1868 he was elected
alderman, and served in that capacity
for two years. in 1875 he was elected
coroner, serving three years. In 1883 he
was made fire commissioner and in
1883 and 1880 he served as city cham
berlain. For years he had been the rec
OgniZed leader of V'arnYoapy hon