, 1879-05-18


WHEN DOES AN FRESHMAN CEASE TO
BE 1RIsH7
The nomination by Mayor HARRISON OF
Mr.. DAVID WALSH to be Police Justice in the
West Division Of the city has given rise to
the discussion of the interesting question,
When does an Irishman cease to be an IRISH
man? And if this be not sufficient to ex~
cite general interest, We give the facts
touching recent British legal decision, to
the effect that person born in Chicago. the
son of naturalized American citizen who
was born in Ireland, is legaAy an 1rishman.
The facts of theae cases are substantially as
follows: -.
Mr.. DAVID WALSH has been resident OF
Chicago for more than thirty years. He Is q
naturalized citizen. During al that time ha
was reputed to have been an Irlshman BY
birth, and has been put forward as a
creditable representative of that branch Of
the American political family. He has al
WAYS been respected and influential men,
ber, and, if we mistake not, frequently
President, Of some one Or more Of the Hiber~
nian societies, nnd has oficiated repeatedly,
perhaps, as Chief Marshal Of the grand pro-
cessions of the Irish associations on the
occasion of the annual celebration Of St.
Patrick's Day. Universally reputed to be-,
and as universally accepted as, a son of the
Emerald Isle, he might have finished his
life without exciting doubt on that subject
had it not been for the matter of ofice-seek-
ing. Mr.. WA1sH has held numerous public
Offices in this city, and was one Of the
first Justices Of the Peace appointed
under the new Constitution in 1871. In
1876 he was candidate for reappointment,
but, as is often the case, had several Compel
itors, also of Irish birth. The number Of
Justices being limited, the objection was
made that it would not DO to have all the
appointees Of that nationality, and, to meet
that objection, it is said that Nj. WALSH
placed himself in the breach by certifying
on oath that he was not an Irishman, and
had never been, but that he was born in En-
gland, and was therefore an Englishman ):
hence, if he was appointed, he should be
charged against or credited to, as the case
may be, England, and not Ireland. The
then Governor, for some reason or 9th
er, did not take kindly to the English
man, and did not appoint Mr.. WALSH, but
did appoint an hishman in his place.
That was four years ago. This year
Gov. CuI1oM dropped one of the 1rishmen,
and appointed the Engllshman, Mr.. WALSH.
Mayor HARRISON, doubtless recognizing his
ability and integrity, nominated Mr.. WALSH
as Police Justice, and the City Council have
it under consideration whether he shall be
confirmed or not.
There are one or Two, perhaps more, per-
SONS OF Irish birth in the City Council. and
there is loud demand, in and out Of the
Council, that Mr.. WALSH shall not be con-
firmed. There is no objection as to his fit
ness for the Office, nor to the fact that he
is an Englishman, but there is an objection
to him that, after thirty or forty years dis
tinction as an Irishman, after reaping the
honors, the glory, the Offices, and the re-
wards, and all the glorious associations Of
being an Irishman, he should, for the mere
sake Of getting an Office, go back ON his past
record, and, acknowledging his deception,
avow himself an Englishman.
The Dublin papers bring us the proceed.
ings Of a Judicial inquiry by the Visitors of
Trinity Oollege,-the Master. Of the Rolls
and Judge LoNaFoRp being present. It ap-
pears that Mr. JAMES S. JOHNSTON, who WAS
at one time member Of the banking firm of
SWIFT, JOHNSTON 4, Co., of this city, left
Ireland, and took up his residence in Chica-
go about the year 1854; that while living in
this city son, SWIFT PAINE JOHNSTON, was
born In 1857; that in 1850 the father was
uaturalized, and became q citizen Of the
United States; that in 1872 tho father and
his family returned to Ireland, and have re-
sided there ever since. The boy was entered
at Trinity College, the students Of which are
required to be Irish subjects of the British
Crown. In June, 1873, at tho annual dis
tribution Of .honors, seven students were
elected to scholarships, four Of whom were
elected to scholarships for science. These
scholarships, besides being evidences Of dis
tinotion, carry with them an office Of income
or profit. At the head OF. this class was
the young gentleman born in Chicago. The
elecuon Was contested ,py The 6tuuenL n16A-
est in merit among the non-elect, on the
ground that young JOHNSTON Was born in
Chicago; that his father was naturalized
American citizen thnt both were citizens
and subjects of the United States under the
laws Of the United States, which laws were
recognized by Great Britain. The case Was
ably argued, and after some days considers
ton it was decided that tha son of British
subject was British subject without refer
ence to the place Of his birth that the faith
er, BY becoming naturalized citizen Of the
United States, did not denationa1ize the son
and, therefore, the boy, burn On Wabash
avenue. in the City Of Chicago, IVES, and