Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1900-06-16
"rA1 PAYS" FlNANClERlNG.
How Pe Raised Money to Celebrate
His Victory.

How lie Raised Money to Celebrate
His Victory.
When Parnell was dominant power
In parliament, ii was a happy period
for a number Of bright but impecuni
Gus Irishmen who saw the chance to
enter on careers of which the uncer
tainty was to them not the least at
tractive element. Some of that crowd
have vanished in obsculity. some have
died and a few have made names. OF
this latter category is L. Z. O'Connor
who Is now running a thriving per
sonal journal with the title Mainly
About People, which is commonly cited
by abbreviation as M. \. p" just as
ITS editor is best known as "T. p" or
Tay Pay"
"Tay Pay" was struggling as a Lon
ION journalist when his chance came.
The story is told by one now here who
was associated with him in the same
work under the same class of cOndi-
tions. 1t was a haphazard life, rich in
experience. but by no means rich IN
money. There came a vacancy in the
Irish representation. and Parnell had
decided that "Tay Pay" might contest
the seat, but there was very little mon
ey with the aspiring politician and his
immediate friends. 1t was only by tax
Ing up a contribution of shillingS from
stray journalists that the money was
raised to defray the cost Of telegraph
ing to Ireland the announcement of the
candidacy. The fare for the journey
to the seat of the campaign was raised
in the same way. and prudent counsels
prevailed to the extent of taking re-
turn ticket, for it was manifest that
the cause of Ireland would not be adj
vanced by the election of a new men,
Der IL he did not have the price of Il
ticket to London. Telegraph tolls
and railway fare were in the nature Of
fixed charges which had to be met in
current coin of the realm. For all else
in the campaign any candidate who
came before the Irish people for their
suffrages with the Endorsement Of
Charles Stewart Parnell was justified
in relying on the zeal of Nationalism to
see him through without any further
financial requirement than possibly
the mere fOrmality of giving his note.
When the canvass was over and the
votes were counted. "Tay Pay" was
returned at the head of the poll and
stood without any money at the begin.
ming of a career which has met with
its measure of success
Going back to London on the wisely
provided return ticket. the newly elect
ed member of parliament found him
self without penny In his pocket. He
was in the company of the fellow jour
nalist who tells the story and who was
also devoid of coin. Both were DESTROYS
Of celebrating the great victory Of the
cause Of constitutional government. but
even credit was out of their reach. This
was a sad state of affairs. as will read
lily be appreciated.
where's your watch? asked the
companion. who might not be sure il
his own watch was going. but who
knew where it had gone.
''Sure, it's up already" replied the
new member, but instinctively his fin
gers slipped into the accustomed waist
coat pocket and there found watch
indeed. That's not my watch at all
/ never had so good one" said "Tay
Pay" IL wonder where did | get ii?
All. now remember. 1t was the last
place spoke at, in the far end of Gal
way. There was only one train to gen
away on, and could speak only just
so long. So. not to lose my train by
speaking too long and not to lose |
my election by speaking too short, |
Just borrowed this watch from the |
chairman of the meeting to time my |
self by, and when | was through |
put the watch In my pocket
and came away with it. It's a fine
watch, and I'm thinking it would bet
ter be put away in safe place until
can send it back to its owner"
This was Immediately carried into
effect The chairman's watch was put
where 1t would be quite safe, and with
the proceeds the new member and his
friends celebrated the victory for the
Irish cauS" New York Tribune