Nixon was also active in Democratic Party politics . In December 1901 , longtime Tammany Hall boss Richard Croker chose Nixon as his successor . Croker 's choice of Nixon surprised observers , because Nixon had spoken out against vice and corruption in City government , and seemingly had nothing in common with Croker . Nixon resigned several months later , explaining that " I find that I can not retain my self-respect and remain the leader of the Tammany organization . " He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention seven times . A friend and supporter of three-time Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan , Nixon played a key role in the 1908 Democratic National Convention , where he chaired the subcommittee on the platform , overcame Tammany 's initial hostility to Bryan to deliver New York 's delegation for him , and was urged as Bryan 's running-mate
1908 Democratic National Convention
1908 Democratic National Convention
Lewis Nixon (naval architect)