Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1890 — JUDGE KELLEY AT REST. [ARTICLE]

JUDGE KELLEY AT REST.

THE "FATHER OF THE HOUSE” DIES OF A CANCER. I’ennsylrsiiU'ii Veteran Legislator Succumbs to a ralnful Malady—His Last Hours—Striking Incidents iu a Career of Many Nears and Honors. Washington dispatch: At 6:20 Thursday evening, surrounded by every member of his family except his married daughter, who resides in New York city, Congressman Kelley, tne veteran “father of the House,’’.breathed his last.. His end was peaceful and quiet. Speaker Reed was notified at once and directed Sergeant.at-Arms Holmes totako charge of the remains and conduct tne iuneral in accordance with tho wishes of the family. The interment will be in Philadelphia, where the remains will be taken Saturday. Mr. Kelley was in his seventy-sixth year, and had he. lived to finish his term ho would have served continuously for thirty years in Congress. His death was caused by cancer of the jaw, which first made its appearance three years ago. He was liked by everyone who knew him, and his death has called forth expressions of sorrow from both Democrats and Republicans. The death was announced in both Houses Friday and both adjourned at once out of respect for the memory of the deceased. William Darragh Kelley was born in Philadelphia April 12, 1814. Tils father died when ho was 2 years old. At tho age of II Mr. Kelloy began to cam his living as an errand boy, and later sorved an apprenticeship to tho jewelry trade, lie early began to take an interest In politics, and when the deposits wore romovod from the United States bank In Philadelphia he headed tho Democratic demonstration made against the Whig capitalists. In consequence of his action in the matter ho became so unpopular among tho employers of Philadelphia that he decided to remove to Boston, to which city ho wont In 1834 and worked at his trade until 1839, when ho returned to Philadelphia. He immediately began tho study of law and In 1841 was admitted to tho bar. He met with Immediate success In his profession, and in 1846 when a vacancy occurred Jn tho court of common pleas lie was appointed the position by Gov. Shunk. He occupied tho position until 1851, when he was elected to the same place. In 1856 he received tho Congressional nomination in tho Fourth Pennsylvania district on the Republican ticket, but was defeated. He resigned his seat on the bench after tho election from motives of delicacy and resumed the practice of law. In 1840 he was again nominated for Congress bv the Republicans of the Fourth Pennsylvania district and elected, and has represented the district continuously from that time to tho present. Mr. Kelly began his public career as a Democrat, but left that party on tho repeal of the Missouri compromise. During the war ho was one of the earliest agitators for the removal of McClellan from tho command of tho army, making a bitter attack on that General’s policy early in tho session of 1862. In 1865 ho favored impartial suffrage as a fundamental condition of tho restoration of local government in the various Southern States which had Rebelled. During the proceedings against President Johnson In 1868 Mr. Kelley voted for his impoachment. In later years ho has been chiefly noted for his fidelity to the doctrine of protection and especially that portion which most directly affected his constituents, who arc largely engaged in the iron industry, and on this account he gained the sobriquet of “Pig-Iron” Kelley,” which has boeome so well known all over the country.