Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-22
H U. s. M~ARSHALsHIP.
Mr.. Mike Waldran Has to Sing
"ThOu Arr Sc Near, and Yet NO
FaP"-Hls Political Career In
Memnhl1.

EaF'-HlS POLITICAL Career In
Memphis.
At present the leading journals of the
country are commenting upon the ap-
pointments of the Hayes administration,
especially the Southern appointments,
and more especially upon the senate re-
fusing to confirm the appointment Of Mike
Waldran as United States marshal for the
District Of West Tennessee. 1t has been
asserted that Mr.. Waldran is not a citi.
9 Of Tennessee but a citizen of Chi.
csgo, and that he had been q street.car
conductor in Memphis. Since the war
Mr. Waldran was a conductor on the
Memphis and Louisville railroad for
some eight years, and some three years
ago he was q prominent candidate for
the Office Of sheriff, his friends pushing
him forward against Charley Anderson
for nomination by the Democratic con-
vention. BE resigned his position as
railroad conductor in order to make a
canvass for this Office, and failed to se-
cure the necessary nomination, which
would have been equivalent to an
election. he not long since was
chairman Of the Shelby county
Democratic executive committee. and
held that important Office during
the canvass and candidacy Of Andrew
johnson for the United States senate.
Mr, Waldrsn managed the " eigar-box"
movement ia this city, by which it was
evolved or evoluted that on election day
a majority Of the people of Memphis and
Shelby county expressed by vote a pref
erence for Andrew johnson for the posi-.
ton Of United States senator, and by
which cigar-box movement the legislative
delegation from this city aud county was
pledged to vote for Andrew Johnson for
that position. 1t was freely charged that
this cigar-box election was not a square
thing, and Mr.. Waldrau was most li5er.
ally anatSematized by the opponents Of
A. j. TOR his participation in the cigar.
box business, and there are scores Of
people who to this blessed day believe
tha' the cigar-5oxes we're manipulated
and stuffed by somebody in the interest
Of the late Andrew Johnson. Be this
true or false, it iss matter Of history,
and CT local history at that.
The securing Of the votes Of the
Shelby county legislative delegation
secured the election Of Andrew johnson
to the United States senate, and the
death of that gentleman secured the ap-
pointment by Gov. Porter of David Nc.
Kendre Key to fill the vacancy caused by
that death. Indeed it can be seen that
Mr.. Waldran is strictly in the line of
promotion. His position as chairman Of
the Shelby county Democratic central
comnitte brought about the election of
Andraw Johnson, the subsequent zap.
pointment Ct Key as United States sen.
ator, this latter position brought about
Keys appointment as postmaster gen
eral and all this brought about Mr.. Wal.
drans nomination as Uhited States mar.
shall for the District Of West Tennessee.
Tnis may be regarded as the develop.
msnt Of the principle OF cause and effect.
Mr.. WaldEan never held the position of
conductor on a mule-box in this city, and
no doubt never held such a position in
any other city. He has been a standing
candidate for the Office of sheriff, or at
least his frinds" have had him a stand
ing candidate for that or any other
good official position for several years
he is an afable and plausible
gentleman, who can tell a good joke
and talk local politics in irst.clasS style.
he is an Irishmsni has the unmistaka.
BILE impression Of the brogue upon
his lips, and has evidently kissed the
Blarney stone. he has scores Of warm
friends aud some very decided political
enemies in this city. He is engaged in
the boot aud shoe business at Chicago,
in which city he spends some seven or
eight months in the year, but his family
and residence are in this city. He is
therefore a citizen Of Memphis and Ten.
nessee, and not a citizen Of Chicago and
I%llinsis. In politics Mr.. Waldran has
been a Bourbon Democrat, a Conserva.
tive Democrat, an Andy johnson Demo
crat, a Key Democrat, and is now prob
ably a Hayes Democrat, or what a we'll.
known Memphian calls a 'disinfected'
Democrat. Should be secure the prize
Of marshalship he will make a good and
efficient officer aud will become a prpmi-
nent politician, because be has all the
elements to make him both or Sither. We
do not know anything about bis religious
views, and therefore cannot deny nor ad'
NIT the charge made, that he is Roman
Catholic; but should be be so we presume
hat it would not ~diequality him for Office
outside of the State of New Hampshire.
LIGHT WPIlHr