The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-20
Republican Majority Is Made Democratic In Election
 For Congress
JAMES s. RAVENS BEATS
 ALDR|DGE VERY BADLY
Overturn of Political Wagon Is Sur prising Even to Republicans Rep resenting a Change of 16,O0O
 Votes in the District

Rochester. April 19.-More than 15,- 900 voters of Monroe county changed from the republican to the democratic column today and elected the first dem ocratic congressman that has repre- sented the Thirty-second district in 20 years. James S. Havens, democrat, running on tariff platform, defeat ed George w. Alridge. for score Of years the ruler of the county repub- lican organization. by 59o0 votes.
 Monroe county. which comprises the Thirty second congressional district, is normally republican by about 60e0. James B. Perkins. whose death in the middle of his third congressional term necessitated a special election today, carried the district in 1908 by 1O,167 votes IIavens had arrayed against him one of the strongest political organI- zations in the state.
 In a campaign lasting IT days and with hastily constructed machine, MT. Ravens accomplished one of the most remarkable overturns in political history, it is stated. The result takes it's place beside the democratic vic- tory in the Fourteenth Massachusetts district where Eugene N. Toss was sent to Congress from district supposed to be as rock-ribbed republi- can as the one here. Mr Ravens plat form advocated tariff reform in the interests of the consumer, revision of the duties of wool and woolen goods, a removal of the tax on hides and lum- Ter, a removal of the tariff on iron ore, an income tax. and finally advo- cates independence of all political bosses of any party.
 Mr. Aldridge. his opponent. .contented himself with general proclamations In favor of the policies of the republican administration. On the tariff proposi- ton he was regarded as standpat man. The democrats acknowledged that one of the main factors i'll today's reversal of political sentiment was the issue raised by AldridEe's record as party boss and evidence presented at the recent fire insurance investigation. MT. Aldridge acknowledged that he re- ceived a S1000 check but said he turned the money into the treasury of the republican organization. The so-called moral issue presented was taken up by the citizens and the elergymen. They announced in favor of Mir. Havens. Mr. Aldridge's defense was that his rec ord stood for itself. The overturn in the city was from republican plural Ity of 6215 in the congressional cleo tions of 1908 to a plurality for Havens of 3746. The towns which In 1908 went republican by 3972 gave Ravens a plur- alitv of 2154.
 Aldridge summoned to his aid several thousand Monroe county voters, who were under obligation to him for political fav- ors, and today the polling places were thronged with workers for him. Outside of the district he received little, if any, assistance. Mir. Havens, on the other hand was helped by the democratic na- tional committee, which sent here speak CTS of national reputation.
 In spite of the excitement of the cam paign todayss election passed off quietly. Notwithstanding democratic charges of illegal registration there were no arrests.
 Voting machines are used in this city and in a majority Of the 19 towns of the county, and the result of the balloting was apparent within half an hour after the polls closed. At o'clock MT. AL dridge's managers acknowledged his de- feat by about 5000 plurality few min- utes later a complete tabulation of the city vote showed that Havens plurality in towns joined the procession with similar results.
 MT. Ravens is a lawyer. and former partner of the late Congressman James Breck Perkins, whom he succeeds. He was born in Weedsport, Cayuga county, in 1859. He was graduated from Yale in 1884. He came to Rochester immediately after graduating was admitted to the bar in 1886 and has practiced law here ever since. Always active in democratic politics he has never before held public of hce. He is regarded as a typical democrat of the s.old school"