The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-16

"a
Australia, young Dir. Irwin. studied for
and was admitted to. the bar in tb,.
state Of Victoria. Almost unknown.
hc had at first a struggle. but HIS great
abilities becoming recognized. he
forged rapidly ahead. and ut the prcs-
"ht time ne has practice az the bar
probably second 10 none I'm tho Aus
traitan continent. He next turned his
attention TO politics. ana entered the
Legislature Of the Statct then COLONY,
OF Victoria IA the Member for I.ownu.
an agricultural constituents on tho
west Of the state Here His success
VAS equally marked AS private Mem-
Der attorney general. Leader of tho
opposition ana finally as Premier he
obtained practically al the political
honors in the State. AS Premier. he
was an unqualified success. as IL was
during his tenure OF office that the
great railway strike occurred. In
Australia practically all tho railways
are state owned. The railway en-
ployecs Of Victoria were II. highly priv
ileged and we'll paid body Of men. but
not satisfied with that, they aimed at
political domination. ana in order Ia
remedy some alleged triiilne rricvancoy
determined 70 pnraly-ze tho industry OF
tho state. Tho Initiative was taken
BY the cnginedrivcrs, who had declared
that unless their demands were com
round ''rhc energy. forco and do
cision displayed ny tho Premier In this
CrIsiS won tho admiration and grati-
tude Of the Victorian people. VINO
found they had 1T last a real leader
The strike WAS smashed in Il week The
sif!kc leaders were expelled from the
state service. and the lesson was so
pregnant that the railway elnpioves
II tho state have never since nttenpp,-
cd 10 strike After resigninu tho rrc-
micrship. Nix Irvine took = short trip
10 Europe. He was subsequently, Of
Tered, ana refused the position OF a
judge Of the supreme Court Of VIC
t0rio, which carried an annual salary
OF about fifteen thousand dollars and
e handsome pension on retirement In
500 he entered Federal politics and
has represented Flinders Victorian
constituency in the Australian House
Of Representatives. ever since
on the @lst May last general cleo
ton took place tn Australia As a rc-
suit the Labor Government, which held
the retns al Office In the Federal par
lament since 1910, was displaced and
Liberal Government with Mr. Cook
as Prime Minister. took its place Mr.
Cook allotted the position OF attorney
Henera!-usUaily recognized rs the sec
ono most Important position in tho
Chhinet--to Mr.. Irvine. Tho attorney
general Is undoubtedly the ablcst man
IN tho Cabinet, ana willie he inspircs
the political hatred OF his opponents. he
has their personal respect. not to saw
admiration He has climbed both the
political and legal ladders by virtue
OF his great ability. force OF character
and tenacity OF purpose IIe is not what
Is known as a popular man. He has
never sought popularity, but II Is not
100 much 70 say that ho has tho esteem
and admiration OF the Australian pco-
pie and the probability is that his
future VIII be even moro brilliant than
his past His oratory Is calm. logical
and dispasaionatc. lie uses few words
but his remarks arc always clear and
TO the point He is exceptionally well
read, and has nm amazingly active
brain. combined with undinching cour-
age He Is now hfty-fvo years Of age
MS features are clear cut and well de-
. lined. lie married I'm 1891 Miss Wan
l!ss, daughter OF the Hon T d Wan
liss. OF Ballnrat. Victoria who was
/ formerly member Of the Legislative
Council q. e. SENATOR OF the state
OF Victoria. He mas three children
Thero are many points in Mr.. Ir-
vines character which arc akin 10
those OF his famous uncle He has the
same nigh personal integrity; tho same
hatred of sham and cant: the same
high regard for truth: the same per
'N'N S.iNtlINE ana fearless
the Same disregard OF odds: the same
kindness OF heart The uncle was the
greatest Irishman OF his day: the
nephew viii probably ere long be the
greatest Australian OF his day
Whilst this short sketch may be OF
some direct interest to the surviving
comrades Of John William ana James
Mitchell. 1t will, perhaps. Indirectly lie
matter OF interest, ii not OF gratiii-
cation, TO all old Confederates TO know
that tho second most important politi-
cal position in the Australian continent
is day hold by man who has two
cousins buried in American soll-onc
IN the Pennsylvania town OF Ciottys-
burg and the other in the Magnolia
Cemetery. near Charleston. $. C-botii
of whom III their lifetime woro the
Confederate gray; both OF whom gave
their hearts blood for the Confedcr-
ate cause.
PATRIOT