| Title: | McMahon Glynn, Patrick to Glynn, Ellen, 1890 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4404 |
| Collection | Patrick McMahon Glynn: Letters to his family (1874-1927) [Gerald Glynn O'Collins] |
| File | glynn/56 |
| Year | 1890 |
| Sender | McMahon Glynn, Patrick |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | lawyer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Destination | Gort, Co. Galway, Ireland |
| Recipient | Glynn, Ellen |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | son-mother |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 543 |
| Genre | failure at elections |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Queens Chambers Pine St. Adelaide, April 29th 1890. My dear Mother I believe I am much in arrears with you, but the others must have told you I am alive. The Bergins have not written for some time, but Mother Bernard says the boys have got work again and that they have changed to a better residence. I dare say the papers since Xmas will have shown you what I have been doing, both here and in the other colonies. However, it shows you what politics is, mat I have been defeated at the General Elections. My election was lost through, 1st bribery, 2nd Religious bigotry, because I supported the Catholic claims to school grants, 3rd misrepresentation among the ignorant German louts, of whom about 600 are on the Light Roll, 4th the treachery of my opponents. However, I am prouder today to have the whole colony—minus the corrupt supporters of White—in a passion of indignation at my defeat. Even political opponents describe it as "a national loss", "A public calamity", and all say the district has disgraced itself. Outside my district the Colony was convinced that I would head the poll. But Coles, my late colleague, ran with Baptists, Wesleyans, Church of England men, Catholics etc. and thus got all split votes. He gave none in return. When the news reached Adelaide, there was a growl of smothered blasphemy, and even from the other colonies letters of sympathy have come. You will have seen that I recently refused the Attorney Generalship. However, it is only a matter of waiting & expense. Among the grossly ignorant, it is a disadvantage to be above the common in either intellect or candor. I could at once be returned for the Upper House—but among the fossils is not my place. I can scarcely pass the Streets, so many stop to express their indignation—some whom I never saw before. It is better to be respected by the intelligent electors of the whole colony, than returned as a trimmer by the sodden louts of Light. I believe even that district would return me tomorrow. They have made a blessed choice of a man who, while living with his wife, had children by her sister. They are ashamed of it now. I could upset the election for bribery—but unless the proofs are very abundant will let them lie. If I had as much money as two years ago I would leave for Sydney. If I found my way into the House there, the future would be bigger. Sydney is free trade, like myself. What a mess they are making of matters in Ireland. The Ashbourne Act is a great swindle. Davitt seems to me the only clear headed man among the Irish leaders. To convert the tenants into owners would be to multiply the opponents of all great reforms. I have had several chats with Henry George, who is here at present. Well, I hope all is right at home. You say I ought to get married—but I cannot afford it. A horse or two is my only luxury, and elections, to a non successful candidate, are expensive. With best love to all at home—Believe me Your affectionate Son P. McM. Glynn |
