The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-11-13
Boss Kelly Talks.
Special Correspondence to the Times,
A PLEA OF INJURED INNOCENCE,


A correspondent of the Chicago Times
has interviewed the "boss" OF Tammany
Hall, and says:-John Kelly has
given me to understand. in the course of a
plain, straightforward talk, that he had
nothing TO do with the defeat OF Hancock
in New York, He repels Indignantly the
charges that have SO freely foated about
during the past few days to the effect that
be entered into bargain with Arthur and
the Republican leaders whereby the Dem
ocratic electoral ticket was sold out. The
comptroller spoke with much bitterness
concerning the fight that he alleges has
been waged for his extinction. In closing
the conversation he said: "Swsllow-tall
rule is what has killed the Democrat party
in New York state; the kid gloved gentry
of Irving hall have figured as ornaments
to the party, and they have concluded that
they own the rest of Us poor devils body
and soul. These men-under the control
of Tilden-have deemed it thsir privilege
to monopolize all the office while
the Irish undsrlings did the vot-
ing. Now, that sort of business has
played out Tammany hall has decided
and believe wisely decided-that here
after we nuckle to nobody, on no occasion
il no manner. Let the consequences be
what they may. we propose to prove our
selves men, and honorable. Last year
we went to the state convention pledged to
no candidate, but solid against Tiiden's
man, Robinson. We were kicked out and
Lucius Robinson was placed al the bead
of the ticket. Tammany placed mo in the
field, aud Mr.. Robinson was badly beaten.
We proved beyond question that the dem
ocratic party in New York were powerless
without US. But. having vindicated our
honor, we buried the Ratchet, and this
year we entered the fight, earnestly intent
upon hard work for the Cincinnati nomi-
nees, And We have worked hard for
them"
But, Mr. Kelly, your opponents sllege
that even if you are innocent of positive
conspiracy against Gen. Hancock, you
nevertheless
BROUGHT DISASTER UPON THE PARTY
By forcing the nomination OF Dir. Grace
for mayor" commented the Times man.
MY opponents allege vast deal more
than is sensible or decent. They don't
hesitate to lie when it serves their pur
pose, was the testy retort The NeI0
York Herald rang changes on that silly
oharga throughout the campaign; it is a
base and malicious falsehood. Now,wh
were the circumstances under which Dir |
Grace was nominated? just honestly |
consider for q moment. Did | present him |
to irving hall aud insist that he should be /
the candidate2 Did l threaten anything |
ii he were not nominated? Did make any |
onslaught against other gentlemen named |
for the position? Did /, in fact. do ought |
IN his behalf that was over cfficious or in |
anywise undemooratic? Not bi, of it: |
1 acted squarely, and every honest man |
Knows 1t. The several wings of the party |
in the city INDUCED in conference. and MIR |
Grace was placed in nomination by:that cen
ference, representing the entire
democratic party. Irving hall
protested to be pleased with Mr.. |
Grace and promised to do ali things in its
power TO advance his candidature. And |
IN the excess of their satisfaction the |
swallow tailed hoBorables scooped in about |
all of the other offices. That is the true
story of MIR. Grace's nomination; the
Democratic party and not Tammany hall,
made him a candidate"
Do you yourself believe the nomination |
was a wise oneI Did it not have bad |
effect on Hancock causeY'
This ID what think about the 'nomi-
nation: 1t is really always dangerous 10
nominate an lrishman or Catholic for
Office in the Democratic party. The |
bIg0ts will cut him just as sure as fate;
never missed the chance in all the party's
history. In 1875 the Democrats had the
state legislature by decided majority
bu. when it came 30 an election of United
States senator Mr.. Herman went in, but
by the very skin of his teeth, even after
his friends had secured the party support
pledged in caucus. There was large
number of renegades who refused to
follow out the duty imposed by the caucus,
and if Senator Conkliug had so desired he
could readily have pushed one of his
friends in ahead OF Herman. And this
was solely because of the
NATIONALITY AND RELIGION
of Herman, and&despite the fact that he
had served the party heartily aud eff.c-
lively throughout all his public career
AS it was with Herman, so it has been with
Grace; he is but barely saved from base
betrayal. Tammany hall to man stood
not only by Mr., Grace. but by the whole
De democrat ticket; the returns prove it;
hgures will not lie; and you will find that
every man who voted for Grace voted
Tor Hancock and English, but there were
zo,oo0 HDemocrats who cut Grace whol
voted the electoral ticket. Those
scratches were the Iryingites. And ali Of .
inc scratching that was done was bv
parties outside of Tammany hall and
opposed tosus-this is the long and the
snort OF y. As to the twaddls about nv