The New York herald., 1878-09-16
john Kelly Says He Is Not a
Candidate.
A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
Views OF the Sheriff, County Clerk
and Surrogate.

and the topic Of the evening papers. That It's effect
was not lcssencd are II reached tho City Hall Park
Will be seen by the foI!owia. sketches furnished by
HERALD reporters who talked with County Clerk
Henry A. Gambleton. Surrogate Delano q. CALVIN,
Sheriff Bernard Reilly, Captain Isaiah iiyndcrs and
Comptroller John Kolly himself.
The ''New County Court House" is dingy dirty
place. and in spite OF aud odd millions dollars
1t has cost the city, DO made attractive IN
exterior or comfortable inside. Throngs of fourth
rate politicians surround tho doors OF the several
county Offices and the rotunda daily resembles the
barroom OF Motel during the sessions OF political
convention. Yesterday was exception to tho rule
in thaS the ro,unda dirtier and noisicr than
usual The minor '!eaders" OF the dominant party
we're there, ana John Kelly ana the HgEALp were Oh
everybody's tongue
SURROGATE cALvIS's VIEWS
Surrogate Calvin is elderly gen ntlemau Of the
silver gray type. with soft. white hair, a mild blue
eye ana the mannors OF tho aacien regime. He is
cordially itself and is OF the fact that peaders
better pleased and satisfied when he refuses
large allowance than they are whom less courtly
Judges grant them all they ask. Tho Surrogate sits
In the little room whore the late Mr.. Hu,chings re-
ccived mis- friends in state; where Sheriff Brennan
held the old Comptroller In custody while bail bonds
were being procured and where thoy do say, tho old
ring made their stupendous DIVES. Ho was deep in
the mysteries ana miscrics OF New-York's sorrow
gate when tue HERALD reporter entered. Long expe.
risnce IN greeting beresvcd widows and fathcriess
children has taught the Surrogate how TO meet re-
porters and he welcomed the HERALD representative
with graceful courtesy. IN response 10 question
Judge Calvin said son. yes have noticed the rumor
concerning Mr.. John Kelly No knows him
can doubt for an instant that he would make super
excellont Mayor He talent for controlling ana
he would be Mayor If he were elected.n
'But. in v!ewA sir. Tiden's opposition, could no
be clected?"
"Mr Tiden? ,'ell, iii tell you what think about
that When the bows were glorifying little the
Fourth oi July they called on me TO make speech
did so, and sald 'Gentlemep, II Andrew jackson
had teen the candidate OF the democratic party n the
late Presidential election and had been elected and
believed himself TO be elected, who do you think
would be President todays Weli it took like wild
fire, and THAT'S the keynote to my notion OF this
matter Mr.. Tiden was elected, rs VIC believe and
no believes, but he has lost what supper, and moral
influence he had in the West and Southwest because
believing himss TO be tho President elect he dono
nothing Tor himsclf or his party.n
"rhen, you don't think the national interest Will
be involved IN this campagn?n
~ don't say ,hat ALL but SO far as Mr. Tilden's
hurting Mr.. Kelly, II ne wcro to be u candidate,
can't think he could influence a vote.
"Believng, then, that Mr. Kelly would provo q
good Mavor, and knowing that the boys are taking
"Frsnkiy, lthink The taxpayers would prefer to
keep him where he is. Hc certainly Is bar to all
city he has shown not only his honesty and
but his signal fitness Tor managing the money inter-
''Do you think he will be a candidate now that the
HERALD has disclosed the Intentions Of somc OF his
frisnds?'
~ should say that Mr. Kelly would be foolish In
any event to take tho MayoraIty."
''Oi the others named whom do you preferS"
'As u Judicial o1cor l avoid preferences. We
should have u good man, an able man, democrat
and Iaitnu adhorent 10 the organization These
know Mr. Conover to be; also Mr.. Knapp and Mr.
ScheiI. With so many excellent men named there
can bc no difficulty In securing good Msyor-a bet
ter than would have been elected, per rhaps, had
the HERALD not started all this discusson"
do The peopie-tho best people care to keep Mr..
Kelly ! officer"
In the democratic masses be true how long would the
rcn men and corporations OF the city stay here utter
tho power now III tho hands OF Jonn Kelly
vested In the hands OF the men they would prefer?
They would leave New York before midnight. That
answers your question"
COUNTY CLERK GuxBLEToSs VIEWS.
The Offices assigned TO me County Clerk are nu-
merous, but like the boxes in an old fashioned cake
aud coee saloon, are no, particularly comfortable or
elegant Thcrc are two or three choice ana cosey
retreats, however, and in one OF them Mr. Gumbcton
was found. MIR. Gumbleton resembles q theological
student, and wears spectacles 1t mas been face
tousIy remarked that he was u man Of deeds, not
words but the occasion oil the HERALD reporters
visit he proved himself voluble convers ationaIis
''As tor Mr.. Kelly" said he, "taking that nominu
tion 1 am Tree to say was taken ali aback by tho
HERALp's story. How under heaven the HERALD
heard oil 1t Is mystery. The boys were talking 1t
up but there had been no authoritatve indication OF
approval. OF course, John Kelly would make .
Mayor as Is Mayor. He knows the alpbabet for
ward and back ward, and no one could do the city
wrong with him In tue chair whore he Is now, though
he Keeps his thumb on the vslve and I shouldn't
think he would care TO give It up"
"Do you tnink now that ho could be induced to ac
csni'n
mo, 10 save TanInisny Hall?"
''Oh we'll, he means to keep Tammany Hall i'm tho
front, Of course. Why notY Snc's the rog uar or
gauizalion and the city democratic 1hc otner men
named are admirably qualified Tor the place. Take
either OF the three most prominently named ana tell
me where you coald had "a better. haven't heard a
word from head quarters to-day so don't Know how
Jumps, bat OF one tnng you IN ~ be certain,
If 81. Kelly should DO nominated bed be elected by
a Tremendous vote"
THE nsasLD's Gooo WORK.
The Sheriff has number OF rooms divided into
queer little cebby holes Ia the building. Front
lug the irocstone rear OF the Cay Hail with tho
back oil Tue statue OF justice turned upon IT, is his
private Office.
The sheriff was entertaining festive party IRON
Troy but eourisousy waived all other matters IN tho
interest Of the HERALD. IL tell you what II "a" no
ssid, 'the HkRALD has done tremendously good
work IN stirring tue matter OF the Mnyoraity nomi-
nsions. You'll nud that both parties viii nomin
Their Dest uan, their very best Tho next Mayor wiii
be an honest man aod one that the merchants and
taxpayers will respect and trust; and nice old job
he'll hrvc, toc.v
.'wcil, how about John Kclys"
Hang me If know. great many Of the boys
would be glad to have Kelly Mayor. His epem mics
would Ike 70 nave him ran SO as 10 stab him or
lievc her candidate Will pc elected. Now, men who
are not denunod with tho Organization are all very
well as candidates, but II we seect Candidates from
outsiders ips virtual confession that We havon't
any good ones among orr own. The HERALD knows
and rays that there four or fve among those
talked OF that would sut--and SO there are. -
''Do you beheve that the Kelly movement will grow
any nowS'
~ should say that thai depends on Mr.. X ely him.
self He knows what ha wants best He has claims
on the city, on ths taxpayers and on the party;
but the question Is, can't he bsuor serve them all
and himself too whore he Is now2 As democrat
ard taxpayer ! am delighted that tho HERALD has
taken the lead IN this discussion. II wakes tho poo
pie up II informs the pubiic Of what Is gong on
and what ~ quite as good II lots tho politicians uu
dersand that THIS - no time for any little games II
John Kelly seeks tho nomination the party would
give u TO him, but hope he WON'T and believe he
WON'T"
Just ms the great bell In the towor OF the City Hail
doomed out the hour OF iour, red faced, black eyed,
black whiskcred, black broadoiothed man stepped
brskly from the esplanado In the Park ana wbstIed
IL was Captain Rypders.