The New York herald., 1878-03-08
OBITUARY..
WILLIAM WALSH.

Ex-County Clerk William Walsh, who during the
past twenty years has been actively connected with
State and city politics. died unexpectedly at his resi-
dence in Oliver street last evening. He bad beon all
ing for time past, but only hour before he
pred he was though weak, walking eisurely about In
his bedroom, appearing 10 be IN rather cheerful
spirits. William Walsh arrived in this city with his
parents from ireland when only three years Of age
and received public school education In tho Eighth
ward, where he soon became quito popular with his
fellows and owing 10 his proficiency In his studies his
teachers took particular interest ia his advancement
1t not long before the active political factions
OF that busy ward attracted the attention OF young
Walsh and he had hardly reached his majority when
no Joined the democratic ranks and at became
active political worker In 1859, when only in the
twenty htn year OF his age, no was elected member
oil Assembly. He served during the session OF 1860
with circuit himself and his constituents In 1862
ho was elected a member OF the Board Of Aldermen
and in the following year became president Of that
body, and was regarded as an able presiding
oilcer. While President OF the Board he was
several times caied upon TO discharge, ex-oficio.
the functions of acting Mayor, duty quite onerous
at tho time, tho city was considerably asitated,
owing to the draft and the subsequent riots which
compelled the city authorities to be constantly
on the alert to maintain peace and ordcr. During
the following year Mr.. Walsh h0n0red by his
party with the Congressional nomination, but be was
defeated He became candidate for Alderman in
1885, but was beaten by Morgan, Jones. Nothing
dauntod by this reverse he renamed active
ing his political influence oven after he had aban-
doncd the Eighth for the Fourth ward, where hc
has resided Tor the past low yearA He
found, however, that II was impossible 10 make uch
headway amid the political turmoil OF the Fourth espe
cially he unwilling to be made tool OF the
Tammany or Tweed Ring, which became all powerful
1868 and 1862 All his efforts TO rolan supremacy
In his ward were futile, the Ring champions riding
roughshod over him and mis- ironda II was not until
1873. when the Ring had beon broken and Tammany
had been reorganized, that he once moro tho
front in the councils OF his party. BY an almost
unanimous vote OF the Democratic Convention he
III the fall OF that year nominated Tor County
Clerk and elected III the following November. Hc
filed this responsible oco for three years with great
satisfaction, not only to tho party that had honored
HIM with Tie nomination, but also in manner
that elected universal appreciation from the legal
fraternity and others whose business brought tn EN- In
daily contact with him IN his Official capacity. Shortly
after the present incumbent, Mr. Gumbcton, sue
cccded him Dir. Walsh was rendered a responsible
position in the lax ONCE but his failing health pre-
vented him from accepting it.
Al the meeting Of the Tammany General Committee
last evening Assemblyman Grady announced the
death oi Mr. Walsh and made feeling address, con-
cluding by moving that tho committee adjourn In re-
spect 10 the mcmory OF the deceased. The motion
was seconded by Major Quincy. The following com.
mittec was then appointed 10 draft suitable resolu-
ions:-Assembyman Grady, Major w. II. Quincy, ex-
Judge Quinn, ex-Judge J. G. Spencer and Mr.. Memo
Dleiendorf A resolu ution was passed that the Gen.
eral Committee attend the funeral in body.