The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-20
"a PARTISAN PRESS"
COMPTROLLER KELLY's SPEECH BEFORE THE
SIXTEENTH ASSEMBLY DIsTRIcT-A REVIEW

SoMriHolLER kEILfS SPEECH bEfohE TIE
SIXTEENTH ASSEMBLY DIsTRIcT-A REVIEW
OF POLITICS.
The Tanmany Hall democrats of the Sixteenth
Assembly district called together. at halfpast
eight O'Clock last night. to listen to Comptroller
Kelly, who, it said. intended to address them
The headquarters of the General Committee of the
district, which is managed by General Spinola
and is at No. 237 East Twenty second street.
was crowded with representatives of the working
class. Mr.. Kelly arrived about eight p. VI. and was
entertained in an anteroom until the meeting was
called to order by the General. who made few
marks on the purpose of holding the session. The
Comptroller then stepped forward and made very
long address, which embraced almost every
topic of interest He frequently APP
plauded in the Of his speech. which,
though long. was listened to with great attention.
Mr.. KEI.LY's SPEECH.
Mr.. Kelly began his remarks by referring to the
combination made at the last election between the
republicans and anti-Tammany parties against Tam
many Hall. Such u combination. said he had often
been made before but with a true and con-
scientious desire to benefit the people. The union
had been made solely with a desire, "a convincing
desire. to obtain the spoils Of Office and to
throw the regular democracy in this CITY, If the
men who led the anti-Tammany organization had
only fought inside their party it would have
been all very we'll, because nobody could blame any
for having an honest conviction any subject.
No man could in any way find fault with another
because he had certain ideas in respect to principles
aud purposes which We're not in accord
with his Instead of seeking their purposes
within the ranks of Tammany the organizers OF
portion of the coalition used other means. They
Joined the republican party, and what was the re-
suit? Take Tor instance, the Common Council. In
that body the real democrats in a minority.
Opposed to them representatives elected on
fha combination Neiflpr rppnhicans N
the Board nor the men who belong to anti rammany
would could they be expected to iegslate for the
good of the people. The former would say that any
bad legislation would be blamed their colleagues
on the ticket. while the latter could claim that the
republicans responsible for everything In this
way would the affairs OF this city be considered. 1t
would not be question of what was due to the
people, but OF how much capital could be
made. II those who oppose Tammany Hall
had only considered these and other subjects
(Mr. Kelly felt certain that there would have
been split in the democratic party. II the people
would only consider what likely be the result
OF their political acts there would be such thing
combination He was convinced in his own
mind that the citizens were acting in violation Of
their convictions when they put the present
government in power. Mr.. Kelly then went on to
speak of the question that gave to the formation
Of the republican party, and gave a short
history of slavery, from its first introduction
into this country until 1860. The course
adopted by the administrations of Presidents Lin
coin, johnson and Grant reviewed at some
length by the speaker. He reiterated in plain and
forcible language the many arguments that have
been put forth by other democratic leaders in de-
fence OF their partys action before and during the
war and said that the members of his party
always truthful and loyal. The Comptroller, after
referring to the charges OF corruption made during
General Grants term President claimed that there
was always great deal of corruption during and
after This was more especially the case in
the present instance, when over two million men
i'll the field and had to be supplied with all the
necessares of life. 1t this fraud that made the
national debt swell to such enormous amount.
Them again the republican party had given fabulous
to railroad corporations in the West and South
west, in order that this country might be opened.
That all very well, but such things should
always be done il moderation; no extravaganza
whatever should be permitted by the people in the
person of their representatives The result OF this
misrule the part of the republican party that
the people obliged to bear the weight OF heavy
debt, which had not yet been paid.
Mr. Kelly then made few remarks in regard to the
last Presidential election. He criticised the
legally elected. There should not have been
any Electoral Commission" he said There was no
for it, because the House of Representatives was
required by the law to declare the result
Before closing the Comptroller said there was great
necessity of representative party newspaper in this
and accordingly supported three evening and two
morning journals. These had attacked the DEM
| ocrats roundly, and it was but iair that some
means should be found to strike back. Indeed the
republican party had even sought TO monopolize and
for their interest the entire OF this country
This fact had been clearly shown in late investiga-
ton. There great necessity therefore tor hav-
| ing vehicle OF opinion. and such one had been
provided for the democrats, who should i'll his lAlr
| Kelly 81 Judgment. support it heartily.
Subscription cards were then freely distributed
| among the audience.
| Before adjourning General Spinoa made an effec
tive address on the labor question and was warmly
| applauded