The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-06-23
JOHN KELLY.
Death of the Noted Leader Of
Tammany Hall.
A Sketch Of His Long and Event.
full Political Career.

John Kelly, dictator of the Tammany po-
litical organization from the downfall of
Tweed to the election Of Grover Cleveland to
the Presidency, died Ct mis- residence in New
York on the 1st inst. He had been ill, with
various seasons Of apparent improvement,
since just after the Presidential election of
1884, and had been confined to his house
for six months or more past. He
was born in New York city April
81, 1921, Of Irish parents, and received the
rudimeuts of an educatio, in Catholic
parochial school and in the city's night
| schools. As bov he worked for q while in
the New York Herald Office, and afterward
learned tie trade Of CRATE setting. After
mastering his trade he set up in business for
himself. When young man he also became
a member of the New York Volunteer Fire
Department.
first entered public life, being elected men,
Der of the Board Of Aldermen in that year.
He had before that become leader in his
district. and the party managers in State and
city had recognized in him a clear-headed,
able politician whom it was desirable to have
in their councils. He served in the Board
one year. and then his constituents nominated
him for Congress. Mr. Kelly was chosen by
large majority, and took his seat in the
House Of Representatives in 1885.
Mr.. Kelly took rank among the ablest men
in the New York delegation. and soon be-
came one of the most influential members Of
the House. He was a member of the
WAYS and Means Committee Mr.
Kelly's first term in Congress expired in
1857, and he was reelected in time to take
bis seat with Buchanan's Administration,
which he had labored earnestly to bring into
power. He was the leader Of the Admins
tration party in the New York delegation.
His warm friend, Lewis sCass. was Buchan'
member became power in national poll
tics. It was through his influence
that his old friend, Augustus Schell, was
nominated bv Mr.. Buchanan for Collector OF
the Port Of New York. William r. Seward
and Preston King, the New York Senators,
attempted to defeat the confirmation Of Mr..
Schell, and hot fight ensued. in which Mr..
Kelly, with Lewis Cass at his back, came out
ahead.
Mr.. Kelly retired from Congress at the end
Of his second term to take the nomination OF
his party for Sheriff of New York. the mosi
lucrative and influential Office in the county.
This was in 1859. He was elected. and after
serving his term, went abr Dad for the benefit
Of his health.
Mr.. Kelly returned from Europe much i'm.
proved in health, and at once reassumed the
conspicuous part he had formerly played in
politics. The movement for the reorganization
of Tammany Hall had been begun, the Tweed
element had been driven out and the Demo.
cratic leaders in the city wanted Mr.. Kelly tc
be the head of the new organization. He took
hold of the work with energy and enthusi.
asm, the district leaders rallied around him,
and he soon became the One Man Power. He
became the dictator to solid organization
$4,000 strong, and the embodiment Of "the
boss" in American politics. The olium that
Tweed had brought upon Tammany Hall still
clung to it in measure, however, and the
One Man Power although it was John Kelly
instead of Tweed, was distasteful. Men like
Samuel J. Tilden, who did not acknowledge
violent opposition, and it was not long before
tho Democratic party was rent in twain.
In 1874, in spite Of Mr.. Kellys strenuous
opposition, Mr.. Tilden was nominated fol-
Governor. Mr.. Kelly had unavailinely
thrown his strength in favor of Sandford E
Church. Tammanv Hall supported thu
ticket, however, and Mr.. Tilden was elected
Tammauy was content with the election ol
Mr.. Wickham, its candidate for Mayor il
The opposition to Tammany grew. II
1875 the Anti -Tammany party effected
combination with the Republicans whereby
Mr.. Kellv's friend, Cunning S. Bedford, wal
defeated for Recorder by John K. Hackett
and the Republicans elected Ben
iamin K. Phelps District Attorney
This was the first serious blow
at Mr. Kelly's party. In the following
year Mr.. Tilden became candidate Tor
President, and John Kelly sought to prever
his nomination. He made an unsuccessful
fight against Mr.. Tilden's endorsement BY
the State Convention. That failing
he went to the National Convention il
ST. Louis to renew the fight He told
the Convention that Mr.. Tilden's
nomination would hopelessly divide the
party in New York, and that the State could
not be carried for him. The Convention
nominated MIR. Tilden, Mr.. Kelly got the
anti Tammany support for his city ticket.
headed by Smith Ely for Mayor, and the full
Democratic vote was cast for Samuel j. TIL
den.
In November, 1875, Mayor Wickham nom-
mated Mr.. Kelly for City Comptroller. The
Board of Aldermen confirmed the nomina-
ton, and Mr.. Kelly at once entered upon the
duties of the Office. His administration was
successful, but his troubles in the party null
tiplied under the aggressive policy he had
adopted in dealing with those who differed
with him.
In 1877 Kelly's friend, Augustus Scncll,
was defeated for State Senator by John Nor.
rissey after bitter contest. In 1878 Schell
was again defeated, this time for Mayor.
In 1919 Mr.. Kelly refused to abide
by the action Of the Democratic
State Convention il nominating Luclus
Robinson for Governor, and himself became
O candidate for that office. He made an active
canvass and polled about 10000 votes, there
by defeating Robinson. MIR. Kelly's bolt lost
him regular standing in the party, and ne
knocked in vain for admission to the
State Convention Of 1880. Neither were
his claims to admission to the National DEM
ocratic Convention Of 1880, at St. Louis, re-
cognized. 1t was claimed at the time that IN
order to save certain Tammany candidates
in New York City Hancock was sold out in
favor of Garfield.
Kelly had O row with Governor Cleveland,
and strongly opposed the latter's nomination
for President at the Democratic National
Convention. At the election in 1854 the
Tammany local ticket was badly
beaten, and shortly afterward Kelly
retired from active participation in politics,
although still the nominal leader OF Tammany
Hall. He was twice married, and leaves
wife and two children.