New-York tribune., 1902-02-13
CROkER'S TRICK IN 1897.
SHEEHAN TELLS HOW THE BOSS RE-
GAINED THE LEADERSHIP
OF TANTNTANY
OF TAMMANY.

John c Sheehan leader of the Greater New
York Democracy. said yesterday that he had
no i'll will toward District Attorney Jerome on
account of the clash the Sheehan dinner at
Sherrys Tuesday night
There Is no enmty between us" said Mr..
Sneehan. Il know rolled up a good many
votes fer the District Attorney. He misin-
formed about what happened at the meeting of
the Finance Committee of Tammany Hall re-
ferred to in his speech. 1t in 1897 that the
meeting held and not in 1895 as Mr..
jerome said. l called the Finance Committee
together. and as Mr.. Croker who had just re-
turned from Europe, not member of the
committee I asked him of courtesy to at
tend, He sat right beside me through it all
When had called the meeting to order ! made
a speech bout the glowing prospects of vic
tory. and l was tod afterward by some Of those
present that it the best speech had ever
made
AT the conclusion Of the speech I told the
committee that l had invited Mr. Croker to be
present and that he had accepted the invitation.
/ explained that. while Mr.. Croker not then
d member Of Tammany Hall and was out of
politics he had been the leader of the organiza-
tion, and | thought. as he had only just returned
from Europe it was only proper to ask him to
be present
Then I took my seat. Croker sat as still as
an image Finally said to him: Why don't
you get UP and say something?
DO you think had better he asked.
Why. certainly say something. l said
Then he gct up and said he was glad to see
old friends again ana he agreed with my state
rnent that we were in good shape for victory.
He said that, while he was out of politics, he
thought We were in good shape for victory.
At that very minute he head and front OF
a conspiracy TO get control of Tammany Hail.
That conspiracy began to bear fruit when
Croker got me TO consent TO the nomination OF
Van Wyck for Mayor. | was true to Croker ana
honest with him. / didn't discover the trap he
had set for me until ten days after had
nominated Van Wyck. I knew as soon as the
election was that I would he out ana
Croker would be in but | worked for the sue
cess of the ticket just the same. From 'he
minute that | discovered that Croker was
cheat and fraud l opposed him openly lnsloe
and outside of Tammany Hall, and have never
ceased that opposition. The finance committee
did not care TO listen to him at that time. He
would not have been tolerated by the COM
mittee if his plans had been fully known at
that time" .,,,.,
tions at the meeting in Mr.. Martins district on
Tuesday night" Mr. Sheehan was asked
Mr.. Nixon doubtless means what ne says,
said Mr. Shsehan iaI undeTS5af% bo foIoWed Ina Mr
Nixon was full of admissions that the deser-
tions from Tammany Hall are going on at IN
alarming rate from day to day. Mr. Nixon VIII
have following in Tammany Hall, ana atter
a while the friends of Mr.. Croker VIII make
their power felt. There can never be thoroush
reorganization of Tammany Han until ma
iorty of the district leaders. who shared with
Croker in his corrupt practices in the conduct
of the city government in the last four years re
tire from their prominent positions. AS soon
as they do that it will be time tor people 10
tala sariouslv the assertion that Tammany Han
is going to be reformed by Mr.. Nixon.