The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-04-21
James S. Havens Carries New
York Republican
Stronghold
A REMARKABLE VICTORY
Mr.. Ravens Victory Takes Its Place
Beside That OF Eugene v. FOss,
Who Won Out In Massachusetts
District Which Was Supposed TO
Be Rock Ribbed Republican,.

Be Rock Ribbed Republican.
Rochester, n. Y, April 19.-Be-
tween 10000 and 10000 voters of
Monroe county changed from the
Republican to the Democratic col
umn Today and elected the first
Democratic Congressman that has
represented the 32nd district in 20
wears. James S. Havens, a Demo-
'crat running on a tariff reform plat
form defeated George w. Aldridge,
for a score of years the ruler of the
county Republican organization by
$500 votes.
Monroe County. which comprises
the SIND congressional district, Is
normally Republican by about 6Oo0
James Breck Perkins, whose death
in the middle of his third Congress
sional term, necessitated a special
election today, carried the district
in 1908 by 10,167 votes. Havens had
arayed against him one of the
strongest political organizations i'll
the state. Yet in campaign last
ing but II days and with hastily con-
structad machinery he accomplished
one Of the most remarkable overturns
in political history. The result of
today's election takes its place be-
side the Democratic victory in the
14th Massachusetts district, where
Eugene n. Foss was sent to Con-
gress from district supposed to ne
as rock ribbed Republican IS this
one.
Rochester is city of both homes
and factories. Monroe county is one
of the States garden spots, crowded
with highly productive farms. Ro-
chester has a reputation as manu-
tacturer of mems clothing. shoes,
Photographic supplies. buttons and
various small wares that require
skilled labor. Mr.. Havens rode to
victory on a platform advocating
tariff reform in the interests of the
consumer, a revision of the duties on
wool and wooden goods, a removal
OF the tax on hides and lumber in
the interests of cheaper houses, ano
for the preservation of forests, re-
moval of the tariff on iron ore, ali
income tax, and finally advocating
independence of all political bosses
of any party.
Mr.. Aldridge, his opponent, con
tented himself with general procla-
nations in favor of the policies oi
the Republican administration. Or
the tariff proposition he was regard
ed as a "stand-patter.'
Both candidates declared for re
ciprocity with Canada, an employees
compensation act, parcels post ant
a postal savings bank, although AL
bridges position in these matter!
was less clearly defined than his op
ponents.
The Democrats acknowledged
however, that one OF the main factor
in today's reversal of political sen
timent was a personal issue raised b,
Aldiidges record as party boss an,
evidence presented at the recent in
surance investigation conducted b.
State Superintendent of Insuranc
Hotchkiss. Mr.. Aldridge acknowl
edged that he received a $1,000 ehec
from Elijah Kennedy, an agent If tn
fire insurance companies, but dene
trpnsfer. He declared that he turne
the money into the treasury of tn
Republican organization. This sc
called moral issue was taken Il
oy the churches, and no less than
clergynlen announced themselves
liaYen's favor. Mr.. Aldridge's d.
sense was that his record stood fo
IT'S IT, He summoned to his aid Sc,
eral thousand of MOn:Oe county vo
ers who were under obligation
him for political fasors and toda
the polling places were throngt
with workers wearing his dark BIZ
badgs.
Ontside of the district he receive
little il any assistance. Mr.. Haven
on thr other hand. was helped by Il
Democratic National Committe
which sent here as speakers Charl,
Hamilton of Massachusetts, form'
assistant secretary of the trcasur
under President Cleveland, and r.
gene \. Foss, the newly elected Co
gresham from the same State.
Mr., Mack'S Statement.