The Irish standard., 1894-04-14


A DISTINGUISHED FRESHMAN.
Patrick walshj the New SENATOR From
Georgia, is a Native Of Limerick.
Few men in the state of Georgia are
more popular than Patrick Walsh, who
has just been appointed by Governor
Northen to fill theunexpired term Of tbs
late Senator Colqultt. Mr.. Walsh was
not candidate for the place; indeed, be
had been an active supporter Of hie
friend, Major Cumming, and the az
pointment came to him as the reward for
political fidelity which has long been
conspicuous. Soon after Senator Col
quits death the name of Mr.. Walsh YVES
generally mentioned in connection WITH
the successorship, and even when tbs
nomination Of Speaker Crisp had been
resolved upon, the governors wife, ewho
has great admiration for Mr.. Walsh's
character, kept his praises warm before
the appointing power, 60 that to: her i'll
fluence in large degree may be attrib-
uted this result.
There is an interesting story Of Geor"
gia politics IN Colonel Walsh's' career,
says the New York World. For over
twenty years he has been the editor-in~
chief of the Augusta Chronicle. When
at the close of Governor Colquitt's FIRST
term grave charges of maladministratios
were brought against him, he was threat.
ened with disgraceful exit from put
lie life. His contest for denomination
was bitter, and in the convention he did
not have quite the two-thirds vote nee,
essary to nominate him. It was at Il
time when to obstuct democratic con-
vention was not a popular thing TO do.
Delegates were willing to vote for Col
quit, but none were willing to assume
the leadership, which might involve the
fate of the party. It was in that critical
moment that Walsh took hold, aud held
the convention dead-locked for a week,
| when it was decided to let the matter
go to the people, and thus Colquitt won.
From that time on Walsh has been do
ing faithful party work, only to be often
ignored by men who owed him all they
we're. Colonel Walsh stands, as it is
understood in Georgia, "squarely upon
the democratic PLATFORM" as against
those who are mere personal followers OF
President Cleveland. In his telegram OF
acceptance, sent to the governor, he says:
"Every measure of reform pledged by
the national democratic party will re-
ceive my cordial support" Mr.. Walsh
favors the prevailing Georgia idea, which
is strongly opposed to the recent seie-
niorage vote and in favor Of free silver.
He is also Jealous advocate of Senator
Hill for the Presidency.
Patrick Walsh was born in Ballingarry,
! County Limerick, Ireland, on Jan. l.,
1910. In 1848 his father emigrated to
America with his family, settling in
Charleston, where Patrick was soon ap-
prenticed to the Evening News to learn
the printers trade. At the age of ]8 he
became journeyman printer, and SUBJ
sequently pursued his studies in the
Charleston high school, earning money
for his expenses by setting type at night.
He entered Georgetown College, D. c.,
where he remained until South Carolina
seeded from the union, when he re-
turned to Charleston and entered the
service of the state. In August, 1852, he
settled in Augusta, Ga, where he Oh
tanned employment on the Daily Con-
stitutionalist, working bis way to the
front and becoming, in 1863, local editor
| of the paper. He contributed largely to
the news and editorial columns, and was
active in shaping the journals policy
during the war. In 1854 he became as
sociated with l.. T. Blome in the publ
cation of the Paclfcator, weekly paper,
with extensive circulation in the south,
but without entirely severing his con.
nection with the Constitutionalist. In
1866 he was appointed southern agent of
the New York Associated Press, and in
1867 he became business manager Of the
Chronicle and Sentinel, which in 1877
was consolidated with the Constitution
alist, Messrs Walsh and Wright con-
tinuing sole managers and editors. In
1872 Colonel Walsh was sent from Rich
mond county to the general assembly OF
Georgia. He was reelected in 1874 and
1876. he was delegate to the national
convention which nominated General
Hancock FIR president, and in 1884 one
of the delegates .at-large to the Chicago
convention which nominated Grover
Cleveland. He was also for four years
the Georgia member of the national
democratic executive committee. he