Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-02
KELLY AND THOMPSON.
tThe Two Pillars Of Hercules in New
York Politics.

York Politics.
NEW YORK, July 3I.-rbe last OF the
two pillars of Hercules that have stood
30 long at the entrance of the Mediter-
ranean sea of New York politics has dis
appeared. Genial Hub,rj ogden Thomp-
son has followed blunt John Kelly 10 The
grave within SIX weeks. The Iammahy
chieftain was thirty years older than me
leader OF the County Democracy. VhN
lhirty-seyen years had ROT ed over Ihomp-
ion's head when death ended his career.
He entered political life az the age ol
Napoleon on taking command of the army
OF Italy. In ten years Hubert arose IRON
Dbscurty into national prominence. lie
organized Democratic faction 50 power
ful that IL kuOckedithe uuderpinnng from
Tammany land captured Its enormous
political patronage within four wears.
lie did more than this. He drove Kelly
20 the wall and made his power tell In
both State and national politics. In state
and national conventions he lndl-
rectly dictated the most humli-
atiug terms TO his Antagonist.
The quarrels OF Kelly aud Thompson
affected the Democratic party in the most
obscure hamleis of Maine and Texas.
Kelly defeated Tilden's denomination
in Cincinnati in 1850, and Thomp-
sun lbICtu NltNfidllO uOIil'lHtl'i ~
Chicago in 1884. Kelly stained his hands
with HancocE's blood in eleCtiug Grace
Mayor in 1850, AVID Thompson elected
Grace Mayor in 1894, while forcing Kelly
TO work squarely for Cleveland.
Thompson was indeed a remarkable
man. knew him when be first showed
his hand in local politics. 1t was when
Thomas Cooper Campbell, the son of old
Allen Campbell, was candidate for AS
,al a nf
extraordinary promise, who flashed across
the sky of city politics like a meteor and
then died. The fight was very bitter, but
ThompsOn's deftly displayed energy won
it. He entered TammHny Han with Mayor
Cooper as tutor. The district was IN a
ferment. The turbulent element Of the
Democracy asserted itself, and
ruled with a high hand at the
primaries. Kelly cheated both Cooper
and Thompson after promising them the
delegation to the State Convention. 1t
was the convection that first nominated
Lucius Robinson for Governor. Kelly
pressed ClarksOn n. Potter for the place,
and was euchred by Tom Springs, of Uti-
ca, who SAID that Horatio Seymour would
take the nomination. Seymour declined,
and Robinson was nominated. Robin
SONS triumph was the triumph OF TbOmp-
son and Cooper. The removal OF Gumble-
Thompson was appointed by the Gov
ernor to fill his place. He broke omen the
office at midnight and iutrenched him
self. GumbletOn gave way, aud after Il
desperate fight, which cost the Democracy
a Governor and a President, faded into
obscurlty.
Once County Clerk Thompson began his
warfare on Kelly. The Tammanv chief
had been rolling in wealth IN the CITY
f,n,sl inc i
ined to GUST him. The scheme looked so
Qulxotic that everybody laughedIat him
The Irving Hall Democracy was organ
lied. 1t served as nucleus for the con-
centration of the anti-Tammanv element.
AT the next municipal election Thompson
went into the fight Ike Napoleon at the
bridge Of Lodi. Tammany's legiuns were
routed, aud ully half of the city patron
age fell into ThompsOn's hands. He Sc
cured the COmmi ssionership Of Public
Works, and gathered the spoils of victory
Then he began to discipline and strengthen
his forces. He was the leading spirit in
the organization of the committee Of one
hundred, which resulted in the establish
ment of the County Democracy and the
capture of nearly all OF the CITY patronage.
The County Democracy check mated Kelly
in the State and national conventions. ana
Thompson finally drove him from hie snug
.
Thompson's death is probably due di-
rectly TO his treatment by the adminjstra-
ton. TO MIN more than to any other man
was Cleveland indebted for his nOmina-
ton. He received not the slightest recog-
milton for his services. The pressure OF
his faction for places was intense, yet he
could do nothing His party was torn by
intestine troubles fomented by Grace and
others, and last fall he met his Yelling
no nd tote ~
Norton bad played the part of GrOuchv
IN 1894, and without the support of the adj.
minlstration further contest was hope
less.
Thompson was the opposite OF Kelly In
character. lie was neither arbitrary nor
dictatorial. He was plant and suaye,
and he never lied. He reasoned by the
hour with men who desired his aid in
securing nominations for Office, and H.
Varlably convinced them that he was
right in his conclusions. He was un-
usually kind and considerate. Men clung
10 him from sincere attachment 30 the
man. They chung to Kelly through self
lshness and desire for personal advance
ment. l saw district leaders weeping
tears OF sincere GRIEF over Th0mpson's
coftin. No sucn tears fell on the bier OF
John Kelly. Yet both men had warm
friends. Kelly commanded them by his
pluck and Obstinacy. Thompson
won them by his manly worth
and sympathy. Kelly made a
fortune IN politics; Thompson died not
worth penny. Kelly gave large sums
to the church; Thompson spent his money
in caring for the orphan children of a
dead brother. Kelly was the most promi.
neDt pewholder in the church where his
wite's uncle oificiated as Cardinal
Thompson attended little Swedenbor.
gian chapel in Twenty-ffth street. Kelly
was buried with great pOmp in the vault
beneath ST. Patrick's Cathedral; Thomp.
son sleeps In grass-covered grave in a
quiet nook in WoOdlawn. Kelly reposes
near the remains Of Archbishop Hughes
Farragups monument casts shadow on
the sward that covers all that is left O,
the first leader OF the County Democracy
ZISKA.