Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-15
Tammsn y's New Boss.


There is a wide difference Of opinion
as to the sincerity of Richard Croker
In withdrawing from the leadership of
the Tammany organization. Mr.. Croker
has been known before to retire
voluntarily from the leadership only to
return and resume his sway when pros
poets Frightened Since 1886 he has
governed the New York Democracy by
brute force. He Is the third Of the
great Tammany bosses whom
the New York OF this generation
has known. William VI. Tweed died in
prison in disgrace and humiliation,
after the whirlwind Of popular in
dignation. which followed the exposure
OF .Tammapy frauds and corruption in
1871, had swept the organization from
power. Out Of the wreck John Kelly
organized new Tammany which came
back to power. and of which he re-
mained the head. despite many revolts.
until his death. Cookers retirement.
"
nate than those Of his predecessors.
To BE- sure the organization is again
discredited and overwhelmed in
crushing defeat, but Croker himself is
a rich man. rich with the ill-gotten
wealth which he has acquired in stoiid
Indifference 70 public opinion of him or
hn
for politics or power or men "niy as
they served 10 bring him wealth. He
has fewer commendable qualities than
either OF his immediate predecessors.
but ne now has the opportunity TO en-
low his spells in peace--somethlns they
never Won So 1t may be that his re-
tfrcr,.nt Is sincere and that England
will be his happy home for the rest OF
his days on earth New York can well
spare him.
The chief interest which the public
has in the matter clusters aE"uhH the
new leader and his influence upon
Tammany's future. Lewis Nixon IS. a
different type of man from Tweed.
Kelley and Croker, since he has ability,
.oucation, social refinement ana
character such as none of them ever
pcssessed. The selection of such
leader is as inconsistent and incompre-
hensible as was the choice Of r. NJ.
Shepard as candidate for mayor. last
fall He is native of Virginia, AZ
wears of age and n graduate OF An
napolIs in So Until 1894 he was de-
signer and naval constructor in the
navy and then he resigned TO become
the superintendent of the Cramps
yards A year later he started snip
Yards of his own at Elzabethport, N.
J.. where shipbulding is done on an
extensive scale. though he still remains
consulting naval architect for Cramps
He was appointed by Mayor Van Wyck
president of the East River Bridge COM
mission, and in the late municipal
campaign was made chairman OF the
Tommany vice committee of five. He
has been connected with Tammany
orIy for half a dozen years.
Such is the man whom Croker
biandly announces as his successor in
the leadership of Tammany. He repre-
sects the responsibility which the or
ganization always has on hand for
emergencies. and undoubtedly the
present time is a grave emergency. But
what can he do? He Is strong and
able man. but he cannot work the
miracle of making Tammany decent
poljtical organization of usefulness to
the city it has robbed and debauched
80 long. Other men have dreamed OF
reforming it. but they have had a
rude awakening. The only good Tam
many will be Tammany dead. and il
spite of it's complete defeat Tamman,
Is not yet dead or even on It's death
bed. 1t has survived defeat before and
So it will again. And when the mex
municipal campaign is waged in New
York the country will watch with in.
teres, to see what Mr.. Nixon will do e
Tammany and what Tammany will de-
to Mr.. Nixon.
~.