The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-06-28
John Kelly.

| Always an uncertain and unknown quantity
in State and city elections, John Kelly, of
New York, is now making his quadrennial
appearance in national politics. He is a
man of talent and wealth, and of considerable
influence. He is chief of Tammany Hall, and
is backed by large following.
As usual in Presidential years Mr.. Kelly
comes to the front with his likes and dis
likes. In 1876 he and his Tammany Braves
went to st. Louis to protest against the nomi-
nation of Gov. Tilden. He and they asserted
that Mr.. Tilden could not carry New York.
In 1880 he again opposed the nomination of
Tilden; who was the almost unanimous choice
of Democratic voters for President. In 1884
they oppose the nomination of Gov. Cleve-
land, of New York, and assert that he cannot
carry the State.
In 1876, it is known, Mr.. Tilden was the
choice of the New York Democrats, and did
carry the State by $4,000 majority, notwith-
standing Mr.. Kelly's protestations to the con-
trary. Mr.. Tilden was distasteful to Mr..
Kelly, because he was governor of firmness,
upright and determined to reform the State.
Had he been Mr.. Kelly's tool he would have
been Mr.. Kelly's candidate for President,
but the people would have repudiated him.
Mr.. Tilden had reformed great city and
corrected abuses in a great state. The gov
eminent needed great reformation, and the
people turned to the great Reformer of the
times as the proper man for the work. They
nominated and elected Mr.. Tilden, but their
hopes were not realized, because he was
counted out by Northern rascals and Southern
scalawags and carpet-baggers, aided by some
Southern gentlemen who cared more for the
governorships of two Southern states than for
the country in general.
The position in 1884 is the same as in 1876.
The government has gone from bad to worse.
Every department is now rotten, and calls
for reform of the most vigorous character.
Mr.. Tilden says he is too old to undertake it,
and in surveying the field for candidates, all
eyes are centred upon Gov. Cleveland. His
record is much the same as Gov. Tiiden' was
in 1876. He has reformed a large city and
made an excellent Governor. He has vetoed
jobs and vicious legislation, no matter with
whom they originated. In exercising the veto
power lie has offended some politicians of
New York city, among them Mr.. Kelly. Gov.
Cleveland, like Tilden in 1876, will have the
opposition of that class, and also like Mr..
Tilden, he can, if nominated, carry the state
in spite of them.
The great majority of Democrats of New
York favor the nomination of Gov. Cleveland
by the Chicago convention. The Democrats
in nearly every state are for him, and the In
dependents in the North and East will sup
port him in preference to Blaine and Logan.
He will get, if nominated, two independent
votes for every Democratic vote he will lose
in New York. Outside of that state he will
get the solid Democratic vote, and many more
besides. Now the question arises, what will
the Chicago convention do with reference to
Mr.. Kelly. To us their duty seems plain.
They should pay no attention to MIR. kelly's
opposition Or his preferences. No considera-
ton should be paid to him. If the New York
delegation, with any practical unanimity pre-
sent Gov. Cleveland for the Democratic NOM
ination, the convention should accept him by
reclamation. Mr.. Kelly's opposition should
count for nothing, neither should his friendli-
ness. If he made the platform and selected
the candidates, the party would have no as
surances that he would support them. 1t he
we're the candidate himself, it is not certain
he would not sell out, if the bid were high
enough.
Never mind Mr.. Kelly. His strength will
not amount to enough this year to defeat any
good ticket in New York. The people desire
a change and will not trust Blaine and Logan.
Mr.. Kelly can do us no harm. Even if he
could, we would rather be beaten than to sub
init to John Kelly's dictation. The party has
had enough of it, and now is as good time
as any to settle him.