Fernando Wood [15] stirred class conflict for political advantage.20 The timing of his remarks, occurring in mid-November after the county elections but prior to the municipal elections in December, suggested that Wood's enemies had feigned unity while awaiting the completion of those elections. Once that hurdle had been crossed the need to support the municipal slate fashioned by Wood no longer existed. If Wood were defeated, Tammany might yet obtain the municipal patronage with another candidate. Although Wood still appeared on the Tammany ballot, most of the Democratic leadership encouraged the formation of an anti-Wood coalition. On November 15,1857, they joined Republicans and Know- Nothings at the Merchants' Exchange for the purpose of censuring Wood, who they claimed had "dismembered his own party and endangered the City" while propounding "fanciful theories, without any practical good to the metropolis!' A ten-man committee composed of affluent citizens designated Daniel E Tiemann, a Democrat, as the nominee of a fusion party called the People's party.21 Tiemann was well qualified to be a fusion candidate. He had established an enviable reputation as a businessman (he was a paint manufacturer ) and in public service on the Common Council and the board 20 Times, November 14,19,1857. 21Ibid., November 16,18,1857; Tribune, November 21,22,1857. James S. Libby representing Tammany warns Wood that he will be ousted. From The Picayune, November 21,1857.