The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-06
Sympathy with Distinguished

Statesman.
The Hon. John Kelly King Of Tammany, is
now in the full enjoyment of the honors and
the cares of royalty. He must feel, like manv
rulers who have gone before him, that no
head lies more uneasily than that which
wears the crown. His first essay in govern
nent was t, elevate to the Mayoralty his
bosom friend, William a. Wickham. Those
who know the real nature of the relation
which eliminated in Mr. Wickham's election
may well believe that nothing is more beautiful
in the history of friendship than the devotion
of the Tammany King to his henchman. Now,
if all is true that we hear. this henchman is
not as docile rs confding sovereign could
expect. In many of his appointments the
Mayor has followed his own judgment not
even consulting the King. This is something
out of keeping with all the traditions of Tam
many Discipline. Mr.. Kelly had great tri-
umph with his Legislature in Albany in
securing Mr.. Herman In New York
there has been no such success. The
painful thought is that the Tammany
braves-faithful followers of the old fag-in-
sist upon holding Mr. Kelly responsible for
the very things he does not do. Naturally
enough, the most natural thing to monarch,
under these circumstances, would be to dis
avow oil responsibility for these political
transactions. For king to express any doubt
as to his power is to abdicate. and Mr.. Kelly,
with true royal instinct, chooses rather to
accept in silence the reproaches of his fol-
lowers than to lay down the crown.
But even from the best of kings there will
Take the case Of the Commissioner OF Public
Works. No one, we believe, questions that
General Fitz John Porter will make good
officer. If the patronage of New York were
distributed for the purpose of securing efficient
public servants there would be no question as
to this nomination. Mr. Kelly has publicly
avowed himself as in favor of it, but
somehow the boys cannot understand it.
General Porter was an officer in the army-a
major general friend Of the high control
ling spirits of the Manhattan Club, demo-
crat who drinks champagne and wears kid
gloves and clothes himself in purple and fine
linen. There are many democrats of the
same school IN Tanmany Hall, but we are
bound to say that the proportion is very small
when compared with the rank and file of the
organization. Consequently, that large class
OF long-headed and shire wd statesmen--of
which Mr.. Justice Quinn, who views with
alarm the gro tn of the German power in this
tative-cannot understand the policy OF giving
this Office to gentleman who was never heard
Of in Tammany Hall until he was offered the
richest place in it's gift. There is wide gap
between General Fitz John Porter and Tip
perary Mike. and John Kelly is shrewd
enough to know that in managing the affairs
of Tammany Hall Tipperary Mike is more
efficient element than the accomplished officer
whom be has honored with his patronage.
Restless democrats in Albany arr also
poking bills at the Assembly for the 'reor-
ganizatior of New York. of which John
Kelly does not approve. One proposes this
plan, a second proposes another plan. If this
spirit of mutiny continues we shall have the
whole organization of Tammany tumbling
about our ears. Something should be done
to restore harmony. 1t is not pleasant out
look for the next two years to have these mis-
understandings. Only two months ago
nothing was roster than the political heavens
of Tammany Hall. Tweed in prison, Sweeny
in exile, Sharkey in Havana, Field and Genet
and the remainder wandering in Continental
capitals, and the late statesmen Of the Tam
many regime who had escaped indictment
steadily at work on the Fourth avenue i'm
provement earning precarious two dollars
day, and nothing remained but for John
Kelly and bis tribe to enter into the land and
occupy it. There was little disappointment
about Jimmy" Hayes, to be sure, and
that distinguished statesman, John Morrissey,
was said to be moping in his tent. But be-
yopd this all was serene. But the clouds
came from all directions. Governor Tilden
quarrels with Mayor Wickham, Mayor
Wickham cannot manage Green, and Green
defes the head of every other department in
New York. Senator Fox is bungling about
Albany with all manner of bills, and instead
of bard-fsted representative democrat as
Commissioner of Public Works, who knows
the people and who understands the wants of
the democracy, we have an anointed major
general from the pertumed chambers OF the
Manhattan Club, who does no. know whether
Mulingar is in the north or the south of Ire
land. Yet for all this John Kelly is RESPONSE
BILE in the eyes Of his followers Certainly no
monarch ever needed the sympathy of his
friends more earnestly than the ruler of Tam
many Hall, and 1t would not surprise us if
the era OF peace and good feeling and bosom
friendship which came with the new year
would break out into Donnybrook Fair before
the arrival of st. Patrick Day.
Our Relations with Spain.
As we understand the policy Of the admin
istration IN dealing with Alfonso, the new
KING IF Spain IL is this.-Spain has promised