The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-20
F0ss of Massachusetts, Who
Turned Democrat Cannot
Stand Tariff "Gaff"
MADE HIS MILLIONS )
UNDER PRESENT LAW
Underwood Bill Is Such Blow at
Foss' Pocketbook That He Is
Forced to Show His
Real Colors
NY e. IT.. STEWART

Washington. July 19.-(Special.)-A flop
per is a political asset of decidedly ques-
tionable value-the history of foppers
bears out this statement.
In addition to that this is a sage and
sapient observation which is apropos Of
the latest performances of Gov. Eugene
Foss of Massachusetts. It also comes
from high authority-democratic author
ity. The companion observation is more
coloquial-'the trouble with a topper is
that he rarely, If ever, stays Topped"
When Eugene Foss left the republican
party and carried an overwhelmingly re-
publican district as the democratic can
didate for Congress in by election, the
democrats hailed him as great acqui-
sition to the party. When he followed
up that performance by taking the dem
ocratic nomination for governor in re-
publican Massachusetts and getting him
self elected, there was even greater en-
thusiasm. He was talked of as a can
didate for president, and votes were cast
for his nomination at the Baltimore con-
vention which nominated President Will
son. Regret was expressed that he did
not have a longer record as a democrat
In order that he might receive the con-
sideration to which he was entitled.
Democrats Loud in Praise
When Governor Foss got himself re-
elected as governor as a democrat, the
democrats all over the country left little
unsaid in his praise. He was a great
man. of great political sagacity, destined
for far greater things Every thing was
lovely and oceans of fuss was made over
fhfe r,ror,iuent raplbltcan who had seen
the error of his ways and Foss stood
high in the councils of democracy.
And then Governor Foss spilled the
beans.
lie needed the call of the Wild and
when he saw that he would have to sur
render part of the profits of a concern
which has made him rich--and divide
these profits with the people-under
democratic tariff bill--he let out a holler;
cold cash touched the yellow streak in
Governor Foss's democracy, and the
democratic patriotism which he has
been so highly advertising soured on his
stomach
Governor Foss is naturally a repubfi-
can His brother. George E. Foss, was
a republican member of Congress from
Illinois for years. and had risen to a po-
stion of leadership in the House. Gov
ernor Foss did not agree with the en-
tire republican tariff policy 10 years ago,
publican, but on a progressive plat
FORM He was defeated. He also tried
to go as a delegate to the 1904 national
republican convention, and was defeated
In that ambition.
Three years ago the republican mem
ber. of Congress died and Foss sought
and accepted the democratic nomination
In the by election that was held to choose
a new member He was elected by big
vote against what appeared to be over
whelming odds. for the people of his dis
trict were not satisfied with the Payne
Aldrich law From that triumph 1t was
easy for him to reach the governorship.
He merely took advantage of a political
situation and duped the democrats of
Massachusetts. The people of his dis
trict and of his state have not changed
their mnds--it is Foss who has done the
Topping.
Action Proved Embarrassing
OF course, after all the fuss that has
been made over Foss. his action has
been more or less embarrassing to the
democrats, who have been yielding him
unstnted praise as a business man and
n statesman. and have honored him with
high office and were prepared to honor
him further. Foss enjoyed his political
preferment but when he saw that the
tariff wall behind which he had accumu-
lated his millions at the expense of the
people who had honored him, was crum-