Matthew E. Welsh

Matthew E. Welsh
41st Governor of Indiana
In office January 9, 1961 – January 11, 1965
Lieutenant	Richard O. Ristine
Preceded by	Harold W. Handley
Succeeded by	Roger D. Branigin
Member of the Indiana Senate from the Knox County and Daviess County district
In office January 1952 – January 1960
Preceded by	Clifford Farris[1]
Succeeded by	James Hamilton Beamon
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana
In office 1950–1952
President	Harry Truman
Preceded by	B. Howard Caughran
Succeeded by	Marshall Hanley
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the Knox County district
In office January 1940 – June 19421
Preceded by	Charles Omer Free[2]
Succeeded by	Beecher Conrad
Personal details
Born	Matthew Empson Welsh September 15, 1912 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	May 28, 1995(1995-05-28) (aged 82) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Resting place	Vincennes Memorial Park Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Virginia Homann
Children	2
Education	University of Pennsylvania (BS) University of Chicago (JD)
Profession	Lawyer
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1942–1946
Battles/wars	World War II
1 Resigned from the House to enlist in the US Navy

Matthew Empson Welsh (September 15, 1912 – May 28, 1995) was an American politician who was the 41st governor of Indiana and a member of the Democratic Party, serving from 1961 to 1965. His term as governor saw a major increase in statewide taxation, including the first state sales tax, and the passage of several important civil rights bills, making Indiana one of the most friendly states to ethnic and religious minorities at that time. His tax hikes led to a near-tax revolt in the state, and people began writing "Indiana—Land of Taxes" on their license plates, at entry points into the state, in stores, and other public places. The situation killed any chance he had seeking higher office and earned him the moniker "Sales Tax Matt". Despite numerous reforms and his popularity within the Democratic Party, he was defeated when he ran for governor again in 1972. After leaving office, he served as chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, as a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1964 until 1968, and as a federal commissioner on the International Joint Commission from 1966 until 1970. Throughout his life, Welsh was known for his personal motto, "It doesn't cost you anything to be a gentleman." After his retirement in 1972, he returned to Indianapolis, where he remained until his death in 1995.