Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-23
A MORAL LANDSLIDE.

Two Chicago papers, the Record
Herald and the Inter Ocean, express
similar views relative to the election
Of a Democrat to congress IN
New York district which is nom
inally Republican, both holding the
landslide was caused by moral and
not political grounds. The Record-Her-
aid says:
The decisive defeat Of George w.
Aldridge. machine Republican candi-
date for congress from the thirty-sec-
end New York district was simply
and solely the very gratifying outcome
of campaign in which the paramount
and overshadowing issue was honesty
plain decency.
It was not due in any measurable
degree to the tariff, or to the cost OF
living. or to any other current eco
pomic issue 1t is not to be bracketed
with the Foss victory in Massachu-
sets. This should be recognized with
or. the least hesitation by the most
vigorous critics of the new tariff act.
since it is absolutely true. and since
nothing is gained by misrepresenta-
ton and misinterpretation iAldridge IS
hardened spells boss, tool OF spec
ial interests, a traficker in legislative
and political favors.
Only few weeks ago he was expos
ed as the recipient Of a $1,000 check
fran an insurance lobbyist, the check
representing payment for unspecified
services in Facilitating" mysterious
transactions at Albany. This exposure
capped the climax of the whole case
against him and the upright, self-re-
citing Republican voters revolted
ainst the cynicism of the "organiza-
!, on in foisting such candidate on
the party.
Aldridge wanted "vindication," and
he was master Of the local situation to
such an extent that he practically
forced his own nomination. He did not
reckon with the moral sentiment OF
tn, voters; he has been anti-Roosevelt,
anti-Hughes, anti-reform, anti-every-
thin, of good repute. The pulpit OF
his city was compelled by the issue OF
the election to enter the arena and de-
nounce him scathingly. Decent men in
all parties and no party may freely
exchange congratulations over the
victory for honest politics at Roches.
ter.
The Inter Ocean takes this view:
There was a special election Tues
day in the Thirty-second congressional
district of New York to fill vacancy
caused by death.
This district contains the consider
al,e city Of Rochester. 1t is normally
Republican by at least 10000. But on
Tuesday. James S. Havens, the Demo
cratic candidate, carried 1t by nearly
5000 over George w. Aldridge the can
didate of the Republicans Why?
George Aldridge has been for years
the Republican boss Of Rochester. In
the latter COS he was appointed state
superintendent of public works. His
administration was scandalous. 1t
was notorious throughout the east In
addition he recently was exposed
again in the scandals at. Albany.
insurgency and the tariff doubtless
helped to swell the Democratic vote
against Aldridge. but he was mainly
defeated on his dirty record. Practical
" the whole campaign was made
against him on this record.
The tariff might help or hurt, but
the chief issues would be VIGOROUSLY
unfit man and dirty record. These
two unsavory facts would tower above
all else
Tariff schedules come and go, and
thel help or hurt in different places as
circumstances may dictate. But ras-