Year: 1876

The question OF the reorganization OF the
Tammany General Committee is one of
much importance to the democracy of New
York, and, indeed, of the whole country, at
this time. Mr.. John Kelly, who is now, in
fact, the organization, holding autocratic
power, debating all its nominations and
controlling its action, is opposed to any
change and is said to be resolved to cling to
his unfortunate leadership at the risk of the
destruction of the party. Governor Tilden
and his friends arc supposed to be anxious
to get rid of Mr.. Kelly and to put the Gem
eral Committee under the control of Mr..
Abram s. Hewitt or some other respectable
and competent head. The democracy of
the city side with Governor Tilden and de-
sire the proposed change. There is prob
ably but little prospect of a reorganization
until after the election, unless Mr..
Kelly should voluntarily step aside
and yield his personal ambition to the
good of the party to which he processes to be
attached. The fact that he bitterly opposed
Mr.. Tilden's nomination at ST. Louis, al-
though bound by the resolutions of the State
Convention, Of which he was a member to
urge it upon the National Convention, and
the further fact that his henchmen in Tam
many oppose MI. Tilden's election, now that
he is nominated, would seem to make Mr..
Kellys withdrawal from the General Com
mittee very proper act and one which is
required Of him by good taste and political
integrity. Yet it is alleged that Kelly de-
.lo L., cbo - -, 49, IT,
many organization with his concurrence


1t is certain that if the policy pursued last
year in the city election should be repeated
this year Tammany will be again defeated.
Mr.. John Kelly's obstinate refusal to step
aside, after his rebellious acts at st. Louis,
the city government for the next two years
even more than by a wish to work secretly
against the success of the democratic
electoral ticket in New York. But the
people will not allow him to succeed in this
policy any more than they allowed him to
obtain possession Of the criminal courts and
the District Attorneys Office last November.
They have suffered too much in the past
from bad local governments forced upon
them under the cry of supporting the regular
democratic nominations, and are resolved
that the national, State and local elections
shall be kept distinct On this principle
the HERALD has favored the separation Of the
city and general elections, and the wisdom
of its policy can now be seen. Mr.. John
Kelly seeks to force down the throats of the
democracy this year a city and county
ticket of his own choosing under the cover of
the Presidential election. But the demo-
Gratis of New York are too sensible
not to know that a division Of the
party on local offices will make no
difference to the democratic national and
State tickets. Indeed, such a division would
be likely to increase the democratic major
ity on Presidential and State candidates by
calling out more full democratic vote. If
Mr.. Kelly should insist upon forcing upon
the city this year Mayor Sheriff, County
Clerk, Surrogate, Judge of the Marine Court
and Coroners of his own selection, and upon
renominating the same Aldermen who went
to St Louis at his bidding to knock down
and drag out all who advocated Governor
Tildens nomination, his candidates will be
defeated more disastrously than his Recorder
and District Attorney were beaten last No
vember, and an honest local government
will be chosen by the independent voters Of
the city without any damage to the electoral
or State tickets.