The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-11-30

O6ulS Mulflul1As lAc AS"Ay SS~~sS
mayor of Bridgeport, is not the happl
est man in the state of Connecticut, II
appearances count for anything. Until
last Saturday Denis Mulvihill spent his
days shoveling coal into the furnaces OF
the Wheeler & Wilcox Sewing Machine
factory. He had been at that employ
hent for twenty eight years; he began
shoveling coal into those furnaces when
he was 80 years old, and was then paid
$1.5O day for doing it. In the twenty
eight years he had gained the conf
dence and respect of those in authority
over him in the factory, and his wages
had been raised to $3.50 day, says the
New York Sun of Nov. 12.
Except for six years of political edu-
Ecation, obtained at the night sessions Of
|the Common Council, in which he sat as
alderman, Denis Mulvihill has come to
the mayors chair free from public ex-
perience. New Workers have way Of
speaking of recent political event In
their city as 'landsllde." Denis Null
vihill was nominated as the candidate
of the Democrats Of Bridgeport on Oct.
%. He was elected on Nov. 5 with
more than double the greatest majority
of votes ever received by a mayor OF
Bridgeport. He was sworn in Nov. IL.
In these brief statements may be found
the reason why Bridgeport folks smile
when they hear New York folks talk
ing of 'landslides."
Mayor Mulvihill seems to those who
are observing him more like man on
whom an avalanche had descended than
like one who had ridden triumphantly
to victory on the crest of the upheaval'
He is the official head Of city of $4,000
persons and he frankly contesses that
the magnitude Of his office oppresses
him.. He hopes for the best. He is
sure that If he makes mistakes, they
will be made honestly. He is ready and
willing to receive advice from those
who have had more experience.
Until six years ago, nobody, not Denis
Mulvihill himself, dreamed that he pos
sessed any qualifications for public life
he had come to Bridgeport from Mas
sachusetts, where he had been day
laborer for two years after his arrival
in this country. He was born In Ire
land So years ago and there he go'
such schooling as has ever been his por
ton. It never occurred to him to ask
for promotion from coal shoveling or tt
be surprised that promotion did no
come to him without the asking. III
went to the factory and started tn
fires at 4:3O o'clock every morning AMI
quit work at every night.
AS the years went on they brough
him wife and three sons. He pros
pered. He lived frugally, and with hi
savings bought building lots in Eas
Bridgeport. They were very cheal
then. He thought they would rise II
value and he was right. The loves
estimate Of the present value Of Deni
Mulvihill's property is $4,000. Their
are those who say he is worth $40, ,0OC
He has improved some Of his land wit
dwellings and is popular as landlord
Six years ago committee Of hi
Democratic neighbors waited upol
Denis AIulvihill at his home and aske
him to run for alderman. He refused
He said he had stayed out Of polite
all his life, and it was too late for hir
to begin to learn new tricks. They tol
him that the only other man in tn
Tenth district who could possibly be
candidate would not run. Denis sal
that he understood the other man
feelings exactly. They urged upon hir
that his duties as an alderman woul
Aaoccupy him only two nights a montl
Rrldgeport's aldermen serve withou
salary. and that it was time that b
did little something for his party. Fl
accepted.
The district was Republican, br
many of the voters were employed
the factory, and his fellow-workme
I voted for him, regardless Of party. b
was elected. It at once became appal
ent that, however his fellow-membel