Welch proved himself to be a strong believer in democracy with his speech on April 13, 1882 concerning the Railroad Commission Bill. The bill was intended to enable the appointment of three commissioners for the railway commission, however the Republican and Tammany assemblymen were pushing for the power of appointment to be given to Governor Alonzo B. Cornell, whereas the Democrats were looking for the commission to be elected by the people. Welch's speech was printed in its entirety in the Saturday Suspension Bridge Journal, which showed his strong belief in the electoral system and the power of the people: