The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-08
John KeIiy, Comptroller.

John Kelly WIS Yesterday appointed by the
Mayor to be Comptroller OF this city, and was
confirmed by the Aldermen. He was born in
this city, and Is personally familiar TO Its
people. His parents we're humble Irish people,
too poor to give their children educa-
ton. and unable alone to support their grow
ing family. The first known Of young John
ia that he worked In and about the Herald
ONCE. where he was regarded with favor,
because tie was bright and quick. Outarowing
his boyhood, he was apprenticed and served his
time in crate and fender factory and SUISSE
ouently worked at his trade. he Fourteenth
ward the scene Of his early political strife,
resulting In his election as an Assistant Alder
man, and subsequently, as a member Of the
upper board. lie desired to 20 to Congress. and
went. At this time he became aware Of the dis
adv intaees attending an uneducat, d man in
public hfe. Placing himself under the tuition
Of public school teacher ne made such pro-
Rress as an earnest man would DE expected 10
make. During MS Congressional terms he par
su' hts studies. confined At th.t time entirely
II English tn inches and the fren n. lie ala
nothing OF iuOmeht rs a tonsre ssinan, his votes
being cast with those Of his party. aid not
He desired to be elected sheriff Of New York.
and his Wish was received with favor by tue
party powers, the sing objec ion being his In
| nbili to pay the amount assessed for the eX-
ptnse Of the election. In some Wv that emnar-
rasstne ut was put away, and he was elected bv
| tremendous majority MIR. Kelly Undoubtedly
| made money as Sheiin. In winch result lie uif-
iersd from his red,re.sor, because ne as
to bis duties. being determined. AS he sad.
mot To cheat the public. aud not to re m 'de
| n bankrupt" Durine his term the exciting times
| of the rebellion occurred. but. although MIR.
Kelly was what Ii known 'sa War Democrat,
| he kept loof from politics. when tue mag
ties Of the Ring domin the cty, he retired
| from active participAuon In local Affairs. and
and measures ~ere concerned. The downfall OF
the Ring brought Kelly - the front, and since
| Tammany Hall nj tue Democra'ic party. At
| one time he and May T Wlcknam were on
S%. to e0d ns, 'ef se, %a na, wcksam ',%i
nominated to the ONCE he now holds. Beliey-
Ing mt GOV TiIden would not be strong , WIN
| World aud Express against his nomin ion Mt I.
LOUIS. Hut when the nomin tion Of Gov. IL
den was made. Mr.. kel gracefully threw NJ the
| sponge ami predicting his election, promised to
do all IN bis power to insure tue success OF the
Dnrine the campaign MIR. Kel'ys l,bors were
| rduoIs ana continuous. lie gave time aud
marriage Nm il the mint should be over. That
Mr. Kelly might have secured tn Mayoralty or
any other local onice for himself, had be So de-
| sired. Is no secret. That ne was urged against
his Will TO accept the to1pirollership Is assert
| ed 10y his friends ~ n fact.
Personally Mr.. Kelly H. stout, squ re-shOul
dered man, with AN uuusual muscular de-
yeopment. Common sense aud honesty are
mainly got IN the Snrrir's ONCE aud through
chnnnels OF fortunate Investment on which
point tho learned An o McNdsters tnuS writes
In IA recent nuuiO Of the Frcem ms Journal:
Mr. Kelly Is the only MAJ That has eyer been twice
elected Surrn OF tn Couuty 4 Sew York. HIS al
minsttatlon Of that most impor ant me sucl
to leave. among honorable business ana honura
bic members tue legsi profession, Lively In pre--ot
of regret tuat tue once, not what Il Wa wnet
he wa. sheriff Mr.. Kelly, by acon-cientous and care
ful discharge OF that homo abe respOnsiJ func
tOn. III the basis Of u fortune that has mere scd
OIL &C, To dnensQns bundantlS ample Tor AL hls mos
liberal wants. We will not deprive Mr.. Kelly - par
tcl, OF his merits before heaven 10y te.ing now 200
he IL to multitude OF the poor or how freely he ha
dlsr buted OF what he ha. acquired Bu, 1t is in pac
for u 70 say, VIVA can 20 rarely be sad uf pubic
man who has often been IN positions tempted by
corruption, tAa Mr. Kelly s not M possession ~ do
lar thNt tie not leRtfinatcy earned that be
bush In remembering now lie came BY It,