The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-12
GOTHAM MACHINES. >
A Good Word for John Kelly from
the Republican "H,sss."
~Gath's" Description of the way
Republican Keformers Helped
Reorganize---A Disc0ur-
aged Citizens Opinion.

New YORK, March 12.-"Gath," in speak
ing Of the recent reorganization of tie Re-
publicans Of this city, after referring to the
demand for change of the methods of the
party, says:
In the progress of time the machine itse
concluded to permit a new enrolment Of
members. There was an outpouring Of
the high-minded sons of leisure, and they
put their names down on the books gallantly,
and then did not vote on the reorganization,
supposing that Providence or Columbia, OF
some of the titular divinities, wouli take
care OF the country. So the machine is re
stored, with Johnny OBrien at the head
met OBriea the other night at the Vic
toria hotel with Mr.. Biglan and Mr. Nc
Cord and several of his friends He
has dark eyes, a mixture of modesty au /
humor, his darlish hair now turning little
gray like his mustache, and he says that they
have grown gray in the service of the Repub-
lican party, being up all night to get votes
and up nearly all next day to get abused.
While the mobiles Of the party are sitting in
their dressing-gowns and slippers before com
Portable fires, arguing that the better element
ought to prevail, O'Brien and his young fel-
lows are stampeding the tenement houses,
holding conferences with saloon-keepers, dis
covering those families who have half a
dozen able-boiiei sons all voters, aud max
ing place for one of them which shall con-
troll the votes of all the rest.
With regard to the degree of accord
which exists between the leaders of the tive
parties in this city with reference to the
municipal spoils, Mr.. O'Bren said that with
out this the Republican party could not exist
in New York city. The control of the police
would put the whole electoral machinery
into the hands of the Democracy, and the
only way to prevent the abuses which
would probably follow such Inonop,
oily of power is to work in such
things in harmony with the Demo
cratic leaders Said Mr. O'Bnen: 81
have always foand John Kelly to keep hi.
word. He has known me for years. and
| have always tried to keep my word when
! passed it with him. There must be a little
| Chivalry and decency across political lines
| If had not united with Mr.. Kelly, he could
| have made his combination with the county
Democracy and left the Republican.
| out in the cold. have adhered
| to John Kelly in preference to any other
| Democrat IN my political arrangements be
| cause he does not cheat He is engaged il
| taking care of his organization and provid
ing for its support and encouragement. l an
| trying to Do the same thing for the Repub
! lican organization. Mr. Kelly has opposition
as | have. He is altogether more respon
sible quantity, however, than these fu
| gitive leaders who have ncw an,
! then got up a rebellion against him
| 1t would be a monstrous abuse of Republican
| institutions if the overwhelming foreign ma
jority of this city insisted upon the entir
patronage Of this great metropolis Tn
abuses that would arise would almost lead t,
Y revolution. The Democratic leaders we hav
had here in general have desired, for til
good of the city and to prevent intemperat
hostility, to modify their patronage so as t
keep the Republicans good-natured"
Another gentleman who was present re
marked that the believed Republican govern
ment in cities had turusl out to be dea
failure everywhere, and that there was n
sense in having corporations run by person
without any property any more than lettin
the depositors Of tbs bank and the borrower
from it elect directors and president