The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-17

through the Senate by him after many
weeks of slillful maneuverlng and hard
fighting.
Mr.. Aldrich was always ready to seize
upon any trend of public business to ad-
vance legislative causes in which he was
interested. The bankers panic IF 1901
enatled him to give impetus TO his plan
to bring about monetary reforms. Tie
first fruit of his labors in this direc-
tim Was the Vreeland-Aldrich emergency
currency law of 1903, put through the Sen
ate by Aldrich after an historian filibus-
ter directed by Mr. LaFolette, the pro-
gressive republican from Wisconsin,, who
WAS aided by Mr.. Stone of Missouri a
democrat. Sharp parliamentary tactics
enabled Mr.. Aldrich to bring the bill
to a final vote, but in taking Mr.. LaFol-
lette off his feet Mr.. Aldrich made an en-
envy who was relentless IN his opposition
during many subsequent legislative con-
tests
The emergency currency law was re-
garded by Mr.. Aldrich as the best remedy
possible of speedy enactment, but he did
not stop there. He began work immedi-
ately upon a more permanent plan of cur
rency reform, giving most of his time
TO the work of the national monetary c, M
Mission. He was able to devore his lime
unIeservedy to his work because in 1911
he declined to be a candidate for re-elec-
ton, giving ill health reason.
MI. Aldrich's friends contended that
his effort to revise the currency system
OF the country was approached in an alb
soiute nonpartisan way. He was ex-
Gee oirgly anxious that his work should
stand up as a monument to his public
service. His disappointment was keen
when in 1911 his party lost control of the
House and took from the republicans the
credit of putting through this far-reach-
ing legislation. Before the political COM
plexion of Congress changed Mr.. Aldrich
was compelled to admit that his efforts
were being frustrated by antanogistic SEN
tin nt in the central west. Then he real
, lied that the attacks he had scorned tc
snswer had taken root. He could moi
understand that the course he followed
through his public career of judging what
was best for the state itself was not APP
proved by the people themselves.
Speech Making Trip
Mr.. Aldrich then undertook a speech
making trip in the middle west with
avowed intention of Graduating hos
tlity to himself and his project. He
oesired especially to convert the peo-
lie to believe his declaration that lie
had no purpose save to devise a sys-
tenn of national finance sound in prin-
ciple safeguarding all legitimate in
terests and embodying the best wisdom
of the entire country. Although he had
large audiences of bankers and Dusi-
less men his mission was far from
successful.
why, is not our plan taken at face
va1ue?' he asked a friend. He received
frank answer.
you have spent your vacation in
Europe You have not studied the peo-
rle. Your language is that of the pros
ferrous business man. You are seeking
too late in life to know the people,
MIR. Aldrich expressed regret that he
had not earlier made opportunity TO
acquaint himself with the western pes
rle. He said: TN way have oeen
familiar with western interests ana
have done all I could to protect them
hut l feel that / could have been of
still greater help I had familiar
lied myself on the ground with your
institutions and your people,
After his retirement from public life
Mr. A1drich spent much of his time in
travel, but he continued to follow nus-
ness affairs. He saw many of his IDEAS
on the subject of currency enacted by
the democrats and although the new
law did not bear his name it is known
to a large extent he approved of what
was done.