Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-17
ALDRICH DEAD
Continued From Page Four
Nelson w, Aldrich


in the United States Senate continuously
by him to governmental affairs was best
illustrated by the fact that when he was
introduced to an audience as
1.-THE general manager OF the United
States, that appellation lived through
the administrations of Mckinley. Roose-
welt and Taft.
Probably tile greatest parliamentarian
that ever served in the Senate, Mr.. AL
drich had no difficulty IN maintaining
of his party. Although known
among the veterans as a COMMITTEE
he was quite as much at home
on the floor and naturally was more in
gave special attention to the tariff and
financial legislation in committee, on
the Senate floor his ear was open for all
that was said on any subject of general
He seldom failed to par
ticipate in the discussion Of any measure
governmental policies
Naturally Mr.. Aldrich's long-contin-
ued supremacy in the counsels of his
party and in directing legislation caused
him to become the subject Of much adj
verse criticism. He was charged with
bossism and with being the tool of the
Interests. Whether or not this was
true in the main, IL can be said in fair
ness that some of these assertions gained
and held currency because it was his
policy never to defend himself against
published attacks. He rarely permitted
himself to be quoted BY the press.
The fact that his daughter was mar
ried to a son of John D. Rockefeller
served to strengthen the popular impress
sion that Senator Aldrich was in some
way peculiarly friendly to the oil mag
nate, and considerate Of the so-called
Rockefeller interests. Yet when
friend of the Senator once asked him
for a letter to Mr.. Rockefeller, Mr..
Aldrich replied:
LAS I have met Mr.. Rockefeller only
twice in my life fear the letter would
be of but little if any assistance to
you"
In legislation he was charged with
being sectional This is hardly borne
out by the facts. and more than once he
gained his points by utilizing the con-
fict OF interests between West, South
and East
a temporary opponent within his own
party when suddenly deprived Of the
fo"r during a debate on proposed cur
rency reforms expostulated in vain.
AS he took his seat he said: The SEN
ate no longer is the great forum Of free
speech, least not when the Senator from
Rhode Island is here
Studiously avoiding discussing or
reading attacks upon him Mr.. Aldrich
practically invited adverse criticism.
A well known writer of Wall street
tales devoted one whole winter to a
study of Aldrich and then wrote
long biography for a popular maya
zine. The article was profusely il
Illustrated and highly colored pho
tograph was used on the outside COW
er. Naturally the author desired to
know what Aldrich thought of the ar
ticle, and a friend sought to find
out. copy Of the magazine was
handed to the Senator. He looked
at the cover and his face depicted dis
gust. Il never wore a green waistcoat
in my life" he said. and forthwith the
the waste basket
Born in Foster, r. l.. Nov, 6, 1S41,
he first appeared in public office as
member Of the common council in
the city of Providence. He was elect
ed to the Rhode Island assembly in
1875, and four years later sent to
Congress. After two sessions he was
to the Senate, as successor
of General Ambrose E. Burnside.
Having begun his career as a BUSH
ness man, Senator Aldrich continued
throughout his public service to dis
play business-like methods and extra
ordinary capacity for organization.
Upon his election to the Senate, he
was Immediately made chairman Of
the Committee on Rules, and a MEM
Der Of the Committee on Finance and
nter-state Commerce. Later as chain
man Of the Finance Committee he was
called upon to assume large share
Of the responsibility for all tariff and
financial legislation before the Sem
ate. He participated in the prepara-
ton of no fewer than six revisions Of
the tariff and bore the burden of la
Dor incident to them. The Payne
Aldrich tariff act was engineered
through the Senate by him after many
weeks of skillful nlanoeuvering and
hard fighting.
Mr.. Aldrich was always ready to
seize upon any trend Of public BUSH
hess to advance legislative causes IN
which he was interested. The bank
sr's panic" of 1907 enabled him to give
impetus to his plan to bring about
reforms. The first fruit of
lis labors in this direction was the
Aldrich Emergency Curren-
" law of 1908, put through the Sen
tie by Aldrich after an historic fill
'uster directed by Mr.. La Toilette, the
Republican from Wiscon-
in. who was aided by Mr.. Stone Of
Missouri, a democrat. Sharp parlia-
tactics enabled Mr.. Aldrich to
ring the blu to = nnal vote. but In