New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-08
HAVENS CAMPAIGN OPEN
Democrat Makes an Attack on
George w. Aldridge.
TELLS OF INSURANCE GIFT
Antagonist Planned to Wrest
Nomination from Perkins,
Sneaker Declares.

Rochester. April flames :. Havens.
Dennocratic nominee for Congress from this
district smoke AT the National Theatre here
to-nigh, in support Of his candidacy and
against his Republican opponent, George
w Aldridge. whom he branded as the re-
cipient Of part Of the fire insurance corrup-
ton fund raised in 1905. Testimony along
this line has already been brought out al
the inquiry in New York. and for this rea-
son. said Mr.. Havens. he felt justified in
giving the facts" although he did not IA
vor a personal attack on his antagonist.
He added that Mr. Aldridge had had his
eye on Congress for some time. and had
planned at one time 20 wrest the seat from
Representative James B. Perkins, when the
latter's recent death made II unnecessary.
Mr.. Havens said:
For more than twenty years this county
has been, and has been widely known to
be, absolutely subservient in politics TO Mt
present time no Republican resident Of
Monroe County has been or can be OF
character high enough or great enough IN
his devotion to the public welfare 10 as
pire TO serve in any public capacity with
out first seeing this one man: but having
seen him. and his approval given. no rival
aspirant for that position, however worthy.
has been or can be able 10 have his name
submitted TO the Republican voters or this
county with any possibility OF success.
This man has nominated himself for Rep
reseutative in Congress to Ill the place of
Mr.. Perkins. He is frank about II; his
followers are frank. He wants the office:
He has wanted ii for some time. He viii
not deny. they cannot, that IL was his in
tention ana theirs TO take the nomination
from Mr.. Perkins and give IT TO the boss.
Mr.. Perkins knew il. and knew that the
matter had gone so far that II Mr.. Aldridge
had dared 10 carry out his plan or taking
this nomination Mr.. Perkins. scholar and
81 Ia -t1u m
sition in Congress which no man in Monroe
County can fill. must necessarily have laid
his head upon the block.
Concerning Mr.. Aldridges reputed con-
nection with the fire insurance scandal Mr..
Ravens said:
II would not he wise. IL I were capable
Of doing IL, for me to attack my opponent
TO have. and I am obliged to give. | say
the facts" fo~ there is no dispute that a
corruption fund was raised in 1905 by the
FIRE insurance companies to influence legis-
lation. to kill an unworthy bill, as they
say now: but worthy or unworthy, II was
to be killed by money, and my opponent
bers OF the Legislature his share Of that
fund. He admits il. His only excuse is
that il was present" that il was given
TO him after the service was performed and
that he used II in behalf of the Republican
organization of the county. Republicans
Of Monroe. is that sufficient? Are you
satisfied with that answer? You cannot
dodge the issue. You are in the limelight
and you must say whether that action
squares with your principles and with the
principles and ideals OF the party you have
been telling US was the party Of high moral
ideals.
The remainder Of his speech Mr.. Havens
devoted 10 his attitude on the tariff and
other national issues.
Il stand on the tariff with the men who
believe in free raw materials and lower
rates" he said. and in reciprocity, If pos
slhle. with Canada"