The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-12-02
Brief Sketch of His Career as
Orator and Statesman.
PROMINENT in NATIONAL COUNCILS
All the Qualifications for the
Mayoralty Of the Hub.

The following sketch OF P. A. Collins,
the Democratic nominee for mayor OF
Boston, appears in the Republic, OF that
city:
AS party man Mr.. Collins may rest
securely upon his record. Twenty
years ago his associates on the Demo-
cratic city committee chose him as their
chairman. He proved himself to be
clear sighted, sagacious political leader.
In 1876 he was sent as a delegate to the
national convention that nominated
Samuel J. Tildcn as candidate for the
presidency. In the memorable CAM
paign that followed, and in which Mr..
Tidcn was elected, Mr., Collins took an
active part He was on the stump con-
stantly, not only in New England, but
in other parts OF the Union.
Again in 1880 he was a delegate at
large to the national convention that
put General Hancock in nomination.
He took conspicuous part in that
campaign, also, being member OF the
state committee and one Of the leading
members OF that body. From 1884 to
1890 he was the chairman OF the COM
nt.cc and IN iull charge OF the cam
paigns, both national and state, which
were conducted during that period.
In 1854, after the nomination oil Gro
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effort was made to stampede the Irish
Americans to Blaine. Various inlucn
ccs that need not be mentioned at this
time were cxcrtcd to bring about this
result That the party leaders and Mr..
Cleveland himself realized the danger
OF the situation was made clearly mani
fest by the vigorous efforts put forth to
check the movement. Mr.. Collins was
selected to stand in the gap and bid the
men OF Irish birth and lineage pause and
reason before they committed them
selves to the "plumcd knight from
Maine. He went to Albany, and after
a frank exchange OF views with Mr..
Cleveland he delivered one of the most
eloquent and convincing speeches OF
that or any other national campaign in
modern times.
The national committeeman we're so
impressed with the power and cogcncy
OF this mastcrly address that they print
ed over 1000, 900 copies of it for general
circulation as a campaign document. 1t
was distributed in every city, every town
and every hamlet in the United States.
He delivered second speech in Cooper
Union, New York city, before 5000
men, and received an ovation as one OF
the most eloquent and effective ex-
ponents OF Democratic principles that
had ever made the echoes ring in that
great temple Of popular liberty. He
was drafted for the campaign in Ohio,
also, and made tour of the state under
the direction OF the national committee.
In 1883 he was again chosen to rep
resent the state OF Massachusetts in the
national convention. He presided over
that gathering with ability and discre-
ton, and won by his brilliant speech
in opening the proceedings high place
among the leaders OF the national De-
mocracy During the campaign which
followed, Mr.. Collins was in constant
demand in all the great doubtful states,
and his ringing tones were constantly
heard in advocacy OF the reelection of
Mr. Cleveland
In the three memorable campaigns
which were signalizcd by the triumph
ant election OF William f. Russell, Mr..
Collins took a conspicuous part. Mr..
Russell was not only his personal friend,
but the best representative OF the young
element which had been drawn into act
i've service for the Democratic cause
by the high ground taken by the party
in favor OF tariff and administrative re-
iorms. So that in advocating his cleo
ton Mr.. Collins was gratifying per-
sonal desire as well as promoting Dem
acratic principles. Mr. Russell, while
governor, urged his friend to accept
some Office, but he urged in vain. Mr..
Collins had resolved to devote his time
and energies to his law practice, and he
refused all offers OF political preferment
In 1892 Mr.. Collins was again drawn
into the political vortex. He was sent
as delegate to the national conven-
ton, and he served as chairman of the
delegation from Massachusetts, In Chi
cago, where the convention was held,
he was constantly in consultation with