Phiadelphia, Here I Come! is a play written by Brian Friel. The main characters are Gar O’ Donnell (Gar Public and Gar Private), Gar's father S.B. O’ Donnell, and their housekeeper, Madge.
We only meet Senator Doogan, Kate’s father, in a short flashback scene. He is affluent. His position as a senator, his study of law and the “investments” mentioned by Kate all suggest money and high social standing.
He doesn’t think Gar is good enough for his daughter. This is made clear when Kate tells Gar to lie to her father about how much money he earns, she knows it is this kind of security that her father will look for in a husband.
It is also apparent when Doogan himself brings up the doctor, Francis King, in his first line of dialogue with Gar.