The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-12
THIS AT CROKER'S DESIRE
Believe That He Will Restore Con.
fidence in the Organiza-
tion.
so DECLARES THE RETIRING SACHEM
He Asks the Organization 10 Give Mr.. Nixon its
Loyal Support, Declares That Through
Principles, Not Patronage
Tammany Will Triumph
Tammany Will Triumph
by the Associated Prcss.)

by the Associated Prcss.)
New York, Jan. 11.-Richard Croker
announced his retirement from the formal
leadership of Tammany Hall this after
noon. The announcement was made at
the meeting of the Executive Commit
tee at which the plan of organization for
the yea? 1902 was agreed upon. Lewis
Nixon was chosen as Mr.. Croker's sue
cessor as the chairman of the Finance
Committee. This position, by long usage,
carries with it the leadership of the or
Sanization.
In announcing the name of Mr.. Nixon
for the chairmanshi of the Finance COM
mittee, George NJ. Hoesen president of
the General Committee, said that the
step was taken at the desire OF Mr.. Gro
@kes~himse@f e@f-~-A4r.s Croker, however, did not
express himself until all the business be-
fore the meeting had been transacted,
when he arose and addressed the chair.
There was a distinct rustic of expect
ancy in the crowded room as he did so.
He spoke in his habtual quiet manner
hut 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 tremor in his
voice and he walked back and forth
across the room in way not familiar
TO those VINO have often heard him
speak.
In the beginning he said that the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Nixon to the chairman
ship of the Finance Committee had his
fall approval and he hoped that Mr.. Nix
on would receive the same consideration
and good will which had been extended
TO himself He added:
Il know the young man we'll and I be-
lieve that he will restore confidence in
the organization and bring back to it's
support the army of Democrats that we
lost at the last election. / hope that you
win give him the same confidence that /
have enjoyed. | am continually receiving
letters from young men anxious to join
tlis organization who do not know how
to join. And l hope that means will bo
found to bring more young men in. The
PEOPLE who left us for reasons of their
cwn can never build an organization up
against yours upon patronage received
from the Republican party. | think it rs
Your duty to strengthen yourselves and
TO stand on principles, not on patronage.
You know this organization generally
polls the largest vote when it has no
patronage | have been in the organiza-
ton thirty-five years and during that pc
riod il has polled larger vote proper
tionately in years when it had no pat
1opage. So YOU need never fear the eff
forts OF men who leave us because they
wish TO get positions. 1t is neglect of
yourselves and disturst of your leaders
which viii hurt you. If you conduct this
organization honestly and comply with
the laws, you can't be beat at any time
In conclusion ] want to ask you again
to have the same confidence in Mr. Nix
on that you have had in me and | have
nc doubt Of your success
Mr.. Nixon the new leader. rose as soon
as Mr. Croker had sat down and very
r.iefly thanked the committee for the
hcnor done him. He asdi:
Il necd not say that great honor was
entirely unexpected and absolutely un-
sought by me. 1t was with sincere regret
that | learned that Mr.. Croker had de-
termined to retire. ! was willing 10 re-
noin in the ranks. But i will not accept
an executive position and be mere
Igure-hcad. | am not so presumptuous
as one to imagine that | can control
in al things. But / can say that while
may not always have your support
shall have it if | keep this position.
promise to apply every effort and my
utmost strength TO hold up this organiza-
ton
A vote OF thanks to Mr. Croker for f<s
service to the organization was voted -
the committee.
Mr. Nixon announced that he would re-
tain Thomas T.. Smith, Mr.. Crokers Sec
letary, for a number of years, for his
secretary.
NIXON A VIRGINIAN
Lewis Nixon. the new Tammany leader.
was born in Leesburg, Va. Arjl T. 1861
and received his early education in the
schools OF that town. In 1878 he was ap-
pointed a midshipman and in 1882 he
graduated from the United States Naval
Academy at the head cf his class. He was
sent by the Navy Department to the Roy
al Naval College. Greenwich England
ard in 1884 he was transferred to the
construction corps of the navy. In 1890