The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-13
MIR. Kelly Makes a Pledge.

made speech, the Mayor Wnom ne sue
ceeded in the Office made speech, and q
speech was made by the Comptroller, who
is not merely the head Of the financial de-
partment of our city government, but the
head and front Of those elements in our
political life which are commonly regarded
as the real sources of all the grievances.
abuses and evils generally in municipal adj
ministration. 1t was therefore an occa-
sion of some Importance, not only
in the light of its relation to diete-
tics and good company, but in its
aspects as q political event At the Lord
Mayors dinner in London people fancy
that the light in which the government
views any important topic of the time
is sure to come ont and the whitehall
dinners at Greenwich have become more
famous in that respect than for the wines
served or the wit developed. If the
annual dinner of the Lotos Club is to
become an analogous occasion in our NUM-
cipal history it will be doubly welcome
fact. Mr. Cooper said very little-not, of
course, because he lacked fertility in ideas
or readiness in happy terms. but, perhaps,
because he did not care to violate
the rule of the occasion that forbids
politics-a topic that exclusively fills his
thoughts just now. Put capable man-a
thoroughgoing New Yorker by origin and
sentiment-in the Mayors Office, untram-
melted and with great chance, and his
mind must inevitably TEEN with political
projects to such an extent as to crowd out
all other thoughts. Invite him to dinner,
then, and tell him not to talk politics, and
what shall he say? Mayor Ely referred
happily and gracefully to his own escape
from onerous duties, while Mr.. Kelly was
| radiant, humorous and successful. He
was humorous somewhat at Mr.. Ely's
expense, perhaps, but then there is
spitefulness enough in any average
company for badinage to be always
happily received Mr.. Kelly's speech was
the feature Of the night; because, in fact, he
expressed some downright thoughts in q
downright way. He committed himself to
pledge as to what he would do in case he
continued to be Comptroller; promised that
'.if" he and the new Mayor might labor to-
gether for the next two years the city debt
should be reduced by at least eight million
| dollars. He further said: 81 wish Mayor
Cooper all the success in public life that
any friend of his can wish him, and l as
sure him and his friends that so far as the
official business of this city is concerned
there will be no disagreement between us
on matters which are really in the
interest of the people" Now, when we
consider that this is said in connection
with the consideration that Mr. Cooper is q
man who has been chosen to Office by the
| people and is untrammelled by party
! pledges, we take it to be handsome decla-
ration on Mr.. Kelly's part. 1t is to be hoped
| in the interest of the city that it does not
involve any drr;ere pensfe, for if man in
Mr.. Kelly S position should go hand in hand
with a Mayor chosen as Mr.. Cooper has
| been we do not see what obstacle there can
| be to a pure, effective and entirely satisfac-
tory administration of the city government
Mime. Anderson's Last Quarter Tonight.
! At quarter of eleven tonight, if nothing
prevents Nine. Anderson will have walked
her twenty-seven hundredth quarter mile,
thus completing in many ways the most re-
markablc pedestrian feat ever performed in
America, if not in the world. The difficulty
and magnitude OF her task are brought into
clearer light when it is remembered that,
while the number of entries for athletic
contests this winter has been very large
larger, probably, than ever took part in
foot contests heretofore in this country all
put together--no one of these thousands of
contestants has offered to attempt any such
task as this. Even OLeary, the king of them
all, says he will have none Of it, and joins
in the universal surprise and admiration
at this little woman's dauntless courage
and wonderful staying power. Over
and over she has seemed to falter
and threaten to give up what appeared an
| impossibility And, after what she had then
| accomplished, had nature asserted herself
| and she been content with what she had then
| done, she would still have won the respect
! and good wishes of all by her astonishing
| performance. But she does not seem to know
| how to give up. That she is to have BAN
| quet from prominent Brooklyn people is in
no way surprising. and she will doubtless
in various ways receive other recognition OF
her prowess. If, later on, it shall turn
out that she has contrived to make popular
among Brooklyn ladies and girls the prac-
tice of vigorous walking, not for any money
reward, but for the good health and spirits
| it encourages, she will have rendered more
than passing benefit and one which will
make her always deservedly popular in our
sister city, while, should she at some time
favor Gimore's Garden with similar exhibit
ton, she will find ON equally hearty welcome
from people who always appreciate good