Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
LEWIS NIXON, YOUNG WRGZNZAM
SUCCEEDS CROKER AS BOSS

NEW YORK. Jan, 12.-Richard Croker,
at his own reqesr. was not reappointed
chairman OF the finance committee ofTam-
man. hall Saturday afternoon. Lewis
Nixon was named for the position at the
instigation of Mr.. Croker Custom de-
crees that with the craftsmanship of the
finance committee goes the leadership of
Tammany. and this unwritten law was
observed when the district leaders hailed
Mr.. Nixon as chief.
Deputy Leader John L. Carroll was
dropped from the finance committee Of
which he was the second member. and ac-
cording to precedent ceased to be an inn
portant factor in the Tammany organi-
cation. Carroll has been credited with
having been the friend at court of
the element that had for its acknowledged
head Frank Farrell. and IL was accepted
AT Saturdays meeting that the gambling
combine had been hard hit
Mr.. Croker declared he was sincere
and would never resume the Tammsny
leadership.
FIFTY-ONE MEN PRESENT.
Fifty-one men, all directly connected
with the Tammany political organization
were present in Tammany hall at the
meeting of the executive committee. at
which Mr. Croker, leader for sixteen
years. declined reappOintment to the chair
manship of the committee on finance.
After the meeting of the executive COM
mittee Mr.. Croker gave out the following
statement:
took this step today because 1 believe
it TO be the wise one l believe that II
will result in the Introduction OF new
blood I'm Tammany hall and restore IT TO
fits great pace among political organlza-
tions have been connected with the or
ganization for thirty-five years. ! think
I am entitled to a rest.
In casting about for man TO succeed
me as chairman OF the finance committee
1 selected Mr. Nixon because believe him
to be worthy OF the responsibility. ] told
you once that leaders have to make them
selves. No man can become leader De-
cause he was made chairman Of airy COM
mittee. That simply gives him an oppor-
tunity 10 prove his right to lead. TX he
Is found worthy he is made leader IN
fact. / have every confidence in Mr..
Nixon.
do not know when I shall leave New
York TO look out for my racing interests
in England. I have not made any active
preparations to do so as yet You can say
that am as good Tammany man today
as there is on Manhattan Island. / could
not be anything else If I tried.
shall take an active interest in the af-
fairs Of the organization, and when II is
necessary for me to bear my part OF the
lighting I shall be found on hand. l
deemed il wise TO invite you as the repre-
sentative Of The World TO attend the full
meeting Of the executive committee in or
der that the people of New York might
be instructed as to the actual proceed
ings.
1 am extremely gratiied at the compli-
ment paid me by the members OF the
Tammany executive committee. l wish
that you would thank them for me.
Mr.. Nixon, the leader, made the follow
ing statement:
This thing came as a surprise to me. l
did not know until half an hour before the
meeting of the executive committee that
l was to be selected chairman OF the n
nance committee. IL came to me then IN
the form of a suggestion that Mr.. Croker
might wish to retire and he desired me to
succeed him.
Nothing was said to me at the time
about succeeding him as the leader OF the
Tammany organization.
have explained my views to the mem
hers of the committee and have nothing
to add TO II. / cannot frame policy for
so great a political organization as Tam
many Hall In fifteen minutes. l shall need
the cooperation and assistance OF men
who have the interest Of the Democratic
organization of New York at heart That
is all 1 care to say at the present time