New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-29
THE TWO JOHNS.

There was a suggestive scene III the Utica
Convention when John Kelly and John Nor
rissey met in hot debate and explained to the
listening public their views for the govern
ment of the Democratic party in the great
State of Ncw-York. Both these distinguished
political athletes are popularity credited with
the virtue, rare in their line of life, OF "hon-
"esty" Mr.. Kelly has been many years in
Office. and it is believed that he never stole
ANYTHING He has ruled the Tammany organi-
cation with rod of iron, and nobody accuses
him of using it for his personal profit. He
tells the truth, too, on occasions when truth
is not always looked for. He was certainly
very frank on Thursday when he had
to speak of the methods by which he
managed the party in his effort ito retrieve
| 1.-THE errors and misfortuncs of the gentlemen
'who formerly controlled the Tamnany or
"ganization" He did not pretend that the
| Democratic voters of the city as body Lad
| anything to do with directing the course of
| the party or selecting its candidates. On the
| contrary he was candid enough to declare that
| fair play at primary election was quite out
| of the question. He had tried it. He caused
| a registry of voters to be made, and issued
| tickets, and allowed no one to enter the pIl-
| maries without proper card but the trouble
was that the Democratic voters sold their
tickets to anybody who was willing to buy
| them. at is an utter imposslbility," said Mr.
Kelly, "to hold primary elections in New
"York that would be equitable and fair" So
| Mr.. Kelly came to the conclusion that nothing
| would answer for tho Democracy OF New-lOrk
but a simple despotism Of the most vigorous
| kind. If the voters of the party are what he
| seems to think, and are ready to " sell their
d" tickets to anybody willing to buy them, it
may not be easy to show that his system of
government is not the best for them and the
only means of saving the city from return to
L" the misfortunes and errors of gentlemen who
formerly controlled the Tammany organiza-
tion.n
Mr.. John Morrissey has the reputation of
straghtfOrwardncss also. When he was u
prize-fghter he hit ont from the shoulder, and
now that he is professional gambler they say
| that he plays square game. He does not lie,
and in the matter of primaries he is quite as
candid rs Mr.. John Kelly. When he asked for
tn, admission of his delegation at Utica he made
| no pretense of a valid election. "The whole
"of the delegates on both sides are a
fraud he exclaimed, amid shouts of laugh
ter. 81 can show you credentials given by
Tammany Hall where the primary election
"was purported to be held at brown-stone
front in the City of NewYOrk The idea of
primary elections being held in gentlemen's
housesn But he enforced his demand by a
threat to make trouble if it was not granted
"Just as certain as you do not let us in" he
SAID, "you will see more disruption in the City
"of New-York than has ever been there be-
fore" Last year he took his followers over
to the enemy-or the enemy came over to him
and this year he vows he will do it again If
he does not get what he wants, recognition
and plumber.
Mr.. Morrissey is as good q specimen of the
striker in politics as our times have produced
| He has no other complaint against the Tam
many organization except that it does not
divide fair. The occasion which he chose for