The Savannah morning news., 1902-05-15
LEWIS NIXON QUITS
DESIGNS FROM LEADERSHIP OF
TAMMANY.
FOUND He COULD NOT BOSS.
,oHN F. CARROLL'S GANG MAY NOW
GET CONTROL.

pecause Mr.. NixOn's Purpose of Re-
tanning Thomas l.. Feitner as
Grand sachem Was Frustrated by
Tie Vote He Gets Mad and Quits.
Tells Leaders He Cannot Retain
His seIf-Respect and Continue as
Their Chief-His Business Is Ship
buiIding Anyway, He Says-COuId
lave Won out Had He Appealed to
Croker.
New York, May 14.-Lewis Nixon,
iaader of Tammany Hall for nearly six
months resigned that position to-day at
a meeting of the district leaders, held
in Tammany Hall. While the resigna-
ion was not entirely unexpected, it
was not thought that Mr.. Nixon would
take such positive action until a 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 of conf
dence. and went so far to say that he
could no longer retain his self-respect If
he remained as leader.
The meeting of the district leaders
was called at the instance of Mr.. Nix
on who on Tuesday night sent tele-
graphic messages to all of the leaders.
This action followed a deadlock at the
meeting of the sachems of Tammany
Hail Society Monday, when Mr.. Nix
on's intention of retaining Thomas L.
Feitner as grand sachem was frustrat-
ed by a tie, there being six of the
sachems of the thirteen for and six
against the retention, the thirteenth,
George C. Clauson, being absent. The
action of that time caused general
discussion of the possibilities of Mr..
Nixon losing control of the organiza-
ton and the combina ton headed by
John F. Carroll, ousting him. Mr.. Nix
on, in an interview, on Tuesday, said
if he could not have the confidence of
the leaders, he would get out.
When Mr.. Nixon arrived at Tam
many Hall to-day all 81 leaders were
present. AS soon as the meeting had
been called Mr.. Nixon arose from a
front seat and said
Gentlemen. l have decided to resign
as the leader of Tammany Hall. This
resignation is absolute and positive,
and will not be Withdrawn. l wish it
10 take effect Immediately. I feel that
l cannot retain my self-respect and
still remain the leader of Tammany
Hall. My decision is unalterable."
There was a moments silence when
Mr.. Nixon had finished. Then Col.
Michael c. Murphy made very COM
plimentary speech in praise of Mr.. Nix
on. He said that Mr.. Nixon had the
confidence Of all the leaders.
Wanted No Vote OF Confidence.
Mr.. Nixon jumped to his feet as soon
as Col Murphy had finished and said:
i do not desire any vote. of conf
dence whatever" He Immediately left
the room, followed by an outburst of
handclapping. Once outside the meet
ing room Mr.. Nixon would only say to
the newspaper men:
Il am out as the leader of Tammany
Hall. Ship building is my business.
am out of politics and am glad of it,
Inc cause of my resignation is plain.
could have won out and elected Mr..
feltner grand sachem, but 1 would not
appeal to Mr.. Croker"
1t was announced that a meeting of
the Executive Committee of district
leaders will be held Thursday, at
which time Mr.. Nixon's resignation
Will be acted upon.
There were numerous rumors d bout
the hall regarding the future policy of
the organization. The most persistent
one that was Endorsed by several lead
eIs was that there would be no actual
reader Of Tammany Hall for some time
10 come