The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-01
Some Information About the
Newly Appointed Minister TO

England.
PHILADELPHTA, October 3O.-The
nomination OF Mr.. Welsh WAs brought
about through 4 committee Of business
men Of Philadelphia, who went to Wash.
ington few days ago about another mat.
ter, one Of whom was Edward T. Steel,
who entertained the President magniti.
Gently when he was here during the Cen.
tennial Exhibition, and Ggain last May
at the opening Of the Permanent Exhtbi.
tion. This delegation was most cordially
received by the President whoconducted
them into his private library, where,
seated in the midst Of them for over one
hour, to the exclusion Of all other guests,
he frankly talked over the situation, and
asked for and received their views on his
policy OF civil service. The discussion
leading to free interchange OF opinion
as to who would be the fItest person to
serve the Government as Minister 10
England, the name OF Wayne
McVeigh was prominently mention
ed, a. we're the names OF two or
three other gentlemen; but the
moment that Of John Welsh was suR.
gested, the Presidents face frightened
up, and, bringing his hand down forcibly
upon his knee, he exclaimed: "l've had
his name in my mind for some time past"
ln the ensuing conversation. the commit
tee pressed upon the President the re-
membrance Of his long and faithful ser.
vices to the city Of Philadelphia and the
State OF Pennsylvania, and to the splendid
record he had made for himself in his
public and private capacity as citizen.
Furthermore, it was pointed ont that he
was one OF the few men who would be
acceptable TO all classes OF the State; that
he was not politician; that he was not
guided by partisan motives; that he was
above reproach, with no joint in his ar.
NOR which adverse criticism could reach,
and that he had all the ability, if named
and confirmed, to fll the high office Of
Minister Plenipotentiary to England with
dignity and honor.
Reference was made to Senator Cam.
eron, and the President declared that not
for single moment had he entertained
the thought OF nominating the ex Senator
for the office, and he enunciated his firm
determination 10 appoint none but the
best class Of men for positions OF trust in
pursuance Of his plan for the reformation
Of the civil service.
Mr.. Welsh was invited 10 Washington
yesterday. 1t Is understood here that
Secretary Sherman telegraphed TO Mr..
Welsh that he would be pleased to ace him
at the Capital, and that gentleman arrived
late last evening. There were conferences
between him and the Cabinet officers, and
the result is his being named as Minister
to the Court of St. James.
Mr.. Welsh is a native OF Phi ladelphia,
and is seventy-two years Of age. He has
been many years q member OF large
house in the India trade. They are large.
ly interested in the West India trade,
importing for others on commission, but
not on their own account. They pay
heavy amount Of duties into the Custom
House, perhaps more than any other
house in this city. Mr.. Welsh is best
known as President Of the Centennial
Board Of Finance, and to his efforts Phil
adelphia is largely indebted for the sue.
cess Of the great exhibition. His services
were recognized by 4 subscription Of
$4,000 for a testimonial from his fellow
citizens, and this testimonial at his sug-
gestion took the shape OF the endowment
Of the John Welsh Proiessorship in the
University Of Pennsylvania. He is a
prominent member Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, and is one OF the
founders and largest contributors to the
Protestant Episcopal Hospital in this
city. He ia not the Welsh who was SO
prominent in connection with Indian
affairs during Gen. Grants administra-
tion. He has never before held any ap.
pointment under the State or Federal
Government, and has such an aversion
to public life that he will not accept the
mission to EnglAndif there Is serious op.
position to his appointment.