The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-18


1t was campaign of publicity. Ad-
vertisements were placed in every paper
in the entire district. circular was sent
under seal, to every voter in the district.
outlining the issues of the campaign, and
advocationg his platform. Mr. Foss met
the voters face to face, gonig into nearly
every town in the entire district by auto
mobile. The meeting in these towns
were advertised ahead, and in spite of
the fact that a blizzard was raging, he
went up one side of Cape Cod to Prov
ipcetown and back the other size. And
in that binding snowstorm, men and
women gathered at the places where
they were to stop. sometimes in stores,
sometimes in the open square, sometimes
In halls, and even in barn, for they
were bound to hear the issues discussed.
In cities and larger towns, during that
10 days campaigning. big audiences filled
the halls, and sometimes waited for hours
as it was not always possible to make
schedule time. And they listened most in
tently, and thought as they listened.
They didn't do this thing blindfolded-
they weighed the evidence as 1t was pre-
scented by Senator Lodge, Governor ORA
per, Mr.. Buchanan and other standpat-
tiers on the one side. and by Hon. James
H. Valley. Hon. Charles s.. Hamlin, Hon.
John r. Thayer, Mayor Fitzgerald, Mr..
Foss and others on the other SIDE Their
verdict was diliberatedly rendered with
the full knowledge of what 1t meant.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, who with
Senator Nelson w. Aldrich of Rhode Is
land, was most responsible for the Aldrich
act, came into the district and discussed
the tariff He told the republicans that
the Ardrich act was the best piece of
tariff legislation ever enacted. He said
that It was now on trial in that district
and that the people all over the country
were watching the contest. With his al
most matchless oratory, he pleaded with
them to stand by the tariff Congress-
men came into this district and the gov
ernor of the commonwealth and they dis
cused the tariff from their standpoint
And Mr.. Foss discussed the tariff in
almost every village and town In the
district, pointing out to them what this
outrageous tariff was doing to Them He
endeavored to show to them how the tarin
affected every article that they wore ate
OF drank or that contributed to the COM
fort of their homes.
When the votes were counted, repub-
lican stronghold had fallen and major
ity of 1900 was overturned. and an ad-
verse majority of nearly 1000 had taken its
place.
What does this mean? If asked to pick
out a typical protective congressional dis
trict the Fourteenth Congressional district
of Massachusetts,. It is the heart Of the
manufacturing district of Massachusetts,.
Its interests are very important and
greatly diversified. The big cordage works
and worsted mills of Plymouth, the vast
shoe industry OF Brockton and adjoining
towns. the cotton and yarn mills Of Taun-
ton, where are also located loom works,
silver works famous the world over, vast
stove foundries, copper works, printing
press establishments; the jewelry business
In Attleboro and Mansfield, brick-making.
tack making and other industries-all
having protection. On Cape Cod and in
the old colony. the farmers, and cram
berry raisers. and the fishermen. with the
sailors make up a district where protec-
ton has been idealized for generations.