Just two weeks into his term, he was made a member of the Democratic Caucus Committee and on January 24, 1882 spoke for the first time in the New York State Assembly, working to bring the Assembly to order. The Saratoga Journal reported he "spoke with force, made a favorable impression and commanded the attention of the house." Welch moved for instant rejection of a proposition from Tammany Hall members and throughout 1882 would push back against the Tammany members in Assembly.