reorganizing the political machine. The Tweed ring scandal destroyed the old Tammany leadership and shattered the democracy. It was a time of corruption and deceitful politics. Kelly was away and was seemingly untouched by the corruption and so was able to assume the leadership of Tammany Hall. By 1874, Kelly was in control of Tammany Hall, and for the next decade, he was able to determine the course of New York City elections. In 1876, Kelly succeeded Andrew H. Green, appointed by Mayor William Wickham, as Comptroller of New York City. Kelly was very successful as comptroller. Over five years, the municipal debt was reduced by twelve million dollars. During his time in power he was continually at war with Tilden's faction. Kelly refused to support Tilden's candidate for governor, incumbent Lucius Robinson, and ran for governor himself as an independent. The result was the election in 1879 of Republican Alonzo Cornell, who won by a plurality. Kelly himself was city comptroller from 1876 to 1879. Upon retirement in 1884, he yielded his political control to one of his lieutenants, Richard Croker. In popular culture Animated children's film An American Tail makes reference to Kelly with the character of "Honest John", voiced by Neil Ross. The song "Boys on the Docks", by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys, was written in memory of Kelly and his popularity within the Irish-American and Catholic immigrant community. References Sources Jerome Mushkat. "Kelly, John; American National Biography Online Feb. 2000. Connable, Alfred, and Edward Silberfarb. Tigers of Tammany: Nine Men Who Ran New York. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1967. Print. External links Tammany Hall Links Authentic History Center description of Kelly's career 1822 births 1886 deaths Leaders of Tammany Hall American political bosses from New York (state) American Roman Catholics Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state) 19th-century American politicians New York City Comptrollers 19th-century American businesspeople