New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-08
THE VIEWS OF JOHN KELLY.

TIE CONTROLLERS PROBABLE CONNECTION WITH
THE DILL-BELIEF THAT GDvEISoR riLpEN WILL
VETO THE Bill II PAssED--MR. GREENS PECU-
LARtTEs.
4 reporter Of The TRIBUNE called upon the
Hon. Ohm lily lat eyrtug 10 Ohtal lis opinion upon
Tie bill Dir Kelly said he could not give Al opinion a.
the that governed those who voted FOR the
reference OF the BILL but ii certainly very strange
course for DE- noeras take; and perhaps If they were
called UPON to record their vote upon such
II measure they would hesitate before doing H.
Tho proceeding itself was that Is not usually RI
sorted TO iu legislation ard before bill OF such great
Importance shOl he referred to the Committee OF tie
whole II ought have been sent TO the Committee on
Cities for the purpose of enabling the people OF this
city to obtain hearing upon the subject AL such acts
as these arc calculated TO troy the conA
tence Of Observing ana wel!-neanihS people
IN our legislature. Instead OF legisatlH2 for
the interests OF the people. these men vera
governed usually by selfish motives politically. II was
very unfortunate that political men were not governed
hy higher motives but the class Of legislation during
years past OF such character as TO convince mis-
class OF men thai they st pursue the same course
rs that which, in the past, has brought 80 much dis
grace upon legislation. But they were entirely mis-
takcn be people will not staud such abuses and those
WHO perpetrate them will find to their cost that 1t Will
brip. ZIP, them disgrace. ard in many cases political
retirement.
As TO tie rumor that MI Green had been instrumental
in getting NJ This combination, Mr. Kelly said That he
did not know Int where much power was given to
subordinate officer Of the City Government 1t was very
reasonable conclude that there must have been some
understanding between Sir. Green aud the leading r.
publican politicians Of the Assembly. They certainly
would not give power TO Mr.. Gieen unless they
expected qnii pro quo. These very men "ho
we're now legislating for him were his
most bitter enemies last Winter and Winter
before last aud in view of that fact one of his former
employees had been spending tie Winter at Albany for
no other purpose than TO influence some Democrats
from, the Interior districts and along the river line to
make "a combination with Republicans for the purpose
Cr,rn 10 control the Municipal Government II these
men -lould succeed IN accomplishing snch ieXsiat"h
there would he house Tor ne people OF rms Guy 10 eject
MAYOR. rs his position would DO 10 moro tan th' ot
Mr Kelly said that he was in favor of the Costgon
bill. because 1t provided the only plan OF governmrnt
that could succeed we'll u this city The Mayor should
luept. subject the confirmation OF the Bolrd OF
Aldermen. II the Mayor made mistake. as az were
The mower o correct il removing the obnoxious pr
son and substituting another IN his place. III the Mayor
acted arbitrarily governed by selfish motivrs,
uotira or otherwise he could checked by the Board
Of Aldermen That WIS The true theory of our govern
ment and people could hold one man Responsible for
the wrong.doingo OF the departments IL the Mayor
himself WAS an Improper person anu was soyerncd by
upon proper charges and therefore, was easy 10 SEQ
that the interests OF the people would De much letter
now exists III which each department Is municipal
government within useH .
As the which actuated Mr Green III seeking
To gain 80 much power. Mr. Kelly sd he could not give
an opnlu. IL OF those strange chiracterstlcS
which n WIS sometimes difficult to understand. lie
Thought Mr. Green had much as he could do now 10
kr the Financial Department. WITHOUT Seeking
a obtain additional power when woud ne en-
tirely distinct from the duties Of his Office, and
vnud aud more responsibilities To his PRESENT en-
bnrrasiug POSITION. He sad the PuaucIa Department.
should have nothing Whatever Ia do with the appoln
,nts uf the heads ~ other departments. IL could not
he xpeeted that the Con roller of tho CITY OF
cuud devote any additional time 10 building sewers.
the laying Of Cr"ton pipes. the building oil reservors
the building of docks, The sweep.ng OF streets, ana
repairing the same, II lie paid proper attention
10 the business Entrusted To HIM already.
MIR. Green Mr. Kelly sni. had strange
standard and reflected nou'ent npon his own
iratie. He permitted hiusef 10 be governor usually
by his preudices, ana very rarely TOOK nosu ana
view condition W Things Ihere was
no doubt that he was ANXIOUS 10 save the peoples
money but he frequently committed grave anu 10 oo-
scry ng me H. nsbe errors, sometimes very
rxpensye The city, by his wulful uoxkruhess
Sir Kelly said that there was also anOthef preuh.1iy
In Green's nature which was couptehenslpe Wnish
was that had fondncss for men who niterru hifn
ana told hun OF their appreciation OF his great stern
ness and ideiy 10 protecting the interests VI the
people. Mr.. Green had never held place but that he
attempted to control IL absolutely As o. tho as
sertion that Mr.. Green Democrat, 10
Mr. Kelly thought he never allowed his politics To weigh
upon hun. IL good evidence OF that when "
was found would make combination with the
leaders oi tue kepubiieAn party Tor his own selfish OF
time prsDt favors 10 Republican, politicians they
woula assist him In procuring sasb legislation
a. he might need. Az To tho possibility that Mr..
Green aud his friends might succeed ~ getting