New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-09

was invested with a quantity Of spirit,
now referred 20 as pep"
The carpet business did not hold his
attention long, for when the annual
lay came in the summer, Mike
was one of the hundreds of employees
who had 10 look around for employ
meut. J. G.. p. Holder was then owner
of the Yonkers' Gazette" and young
Walsh got a job as printers devil IN
the composing room. His eihclency
brought him various promotions until
at length he worked himself up TO the
Mt. Shasta eminence of reporter.
The first big day of his life came
with his twenty-hrst birthday. For
months and months he had been
dreaming some rather practical dreams
about politics. He Fletcherizcd every
newspaper story about Richard Croker,
Tammany boss, and edged his way,
whenever possible, into every general
discussion among the ward and dis
trict leaders of Yonkers. He had de-
cided TO become a Democrat. His home
was in Dock ST., in "A section housing
that type of citizens known as the
deserving plain people, just before
election.
Before time came for nominating
self out TO Join every organization in
YonkerS. except the women's clubs. He
was a member of so many fraternal
associations that frequently he was
called on TO attend six meetings on
the same night. Some laughter was
occasioned by this, but Walsh knew
what he was doing. And he was al
ways around when the members Of
these various societies got together.
Gradually, this remark became a strong
chorus:
THAT Walsh seems to be a nice
young fellow"
However, mikes" efforts hadn't
crystallized in time for him to make
deep impression in the nomination,
for he was very thoroughly beaten for
the Democratic nomination for Alder
man from the I'd Ward, by John II.
Coyne.
On youth and inexperience he blamed
this result and kept his face forward
for eventual victory He opened his
own printing Office, Joined few more
fraternal organizations that had been
formed while he was not looking, and,
in 1923, ran against James p. Dunn for
the nomination for Alderman from the
new 9Th Ward. Again he was beaten.
Victory Followed Defeats.
He had moved into the 9th Ward
shortly before this defeat, and almost
Immediately after his marriage. His
setbacks did not impress him with the
idea that he was a political lost soul;
he became more active than ever and
by hard work and good mixing thrust
himself more and more forcefuliy into
the consideration Of the local leaders.
His campaign for Office became strong
er with each succeeding month, until
at length most Of the Ionkers experts
went 70 him for advice before they
did any exporting.
In q few years every mention Of Hon-
kers politics cOmprehended the use OF
WNh's name; so, in 1898, when he
sought the nomination for alderman u
was given TO him and he was elected.
In 1900 he was reelected, and in 1901,
while serving as alderman, was noml-
mated for Mayor. His opponent was
John L. Andrus, the wealthest man in
the city. Walsh won by only 7O5 votes.
Two years later he ran for reelection.
Andrus defeated him by III votes.
The next year brought another dis
couragement. lie lost in the election
for Superintendent Of the Poor. The
plurality against him was discourag-
ingly heavy. yet he sat quietly and
rlacidly waited for another opportu-
nifty TO get back into Office. lie had
enough other considerations to keep
him busy between elections; he had
been elected state committeeman a few
years before and still holds on 10 that
now purely innocuous-"job"; had
been state delegate and was now coun-
ty chairman. Shortly after he reached