Twenty-five years of Massachusetts politics; from Russell to McCall, 1890-1915
■fc iPii^i^ ■KM,MK^P'' i^K^^-:^ % iS3.iai::.LJ3^w::L ~1j ti ;dlii4^biw,kJuU0kijhiuu«-J.<.Jk.u- lliif Ik-^-^f Si y- !'! ><"J^ r mA CASE FRAGILE i^OES NOT ^ CIRCULATE Qfarnell Hniocrattg ffiihrarg atljata, 2fetn fork FROM THE BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY COLLECTED BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY The date shows whjn t|f s volume was taken. ' HOME USE RULES J^t^fVTjSSS''^ UU CASE FRAGILE DOES CIRCULATEan; Al! books subject to recall All bqrrowers must regis- ter in the library to borrow books for home use. All books must be re- turned at end of college lear for inspection and Limited books must be returned within the four .injit^apd not renewed. lust return all :,. books l^^re leaving- town. 'L.L, Officers should arrange for the return of books wanted ;ing their absence from town. Volumes of periodicals and of pamphlets are held in the' library as much as possible. For special pur- poses they are given out for a limited time. Borrowers should not use ry privileges fqr Ifit of other persons. Books of special value id gift books, when the giver wishes it, are not allowed to circulate. Readers are asked to re- poVt all cases of books marked or mutilated. Do not deface books by marks and writing. FRAGILE PAPER Please handle this book with care, as the paper is brittle. Wr0t Cornell University VB Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028817520 TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF MASSACHUSETTS POLITICS FROM RUSSELL TO McCALL 1890-1915 By MICHAEL E. HENNESSY Foreword by Henry Cabot Lodge BOSTON, MASS. PRACTICAL POLITICS, INC. 1917 4(^^7 7^^ COPYRIGHTED 1917 By MICHAEL E. HENNBSSY PRINTED BT COMMERCIAL-FINANCIAL PRINTING CO. BOSTON. MASS. TO JAMES MORGAN WHO HAS HONOKED ME WITH HIS FKIENDSHIP FOE TWENTY-FIVE TEAKS FOREWORD There is a common saying that the history of which each man knows least is that which covers the period immediately preceding his own birth, for it has not yet been written and he can learn nothing about it except from the memory of his elders. Those years, indeed, have joined the long procession of their predecessors, but the time has not arrived to recount their story in enduring form and so there is a gulf between the point at which our history, biog- raphy and memoirs cease to tell us of the past, and the present which is actually before our eyes. A book like Mr. Hennessy's, therefore, has both value and use- fulness, because it contains a great array of facts, carefully verified and clearly arranged, which it is almost impossible for any man readily to find without, in many cases at least, great labor and re- search. But Mr. Hennessy's book is much more than this — far more than a compilation of facts and figures. It gives the impres- sions made upon a trained observer of politics, and of the men en- gaged in them, during a quarter of a century. Although it professes to deal only with Massachusetts, in fol- lowing the fortunes of the State one is led insensibly and necessarily into the wider fields of national elections and of national campaigns. Mr. Hennessy has made good use of all his opportunities and with practiced hand, and a keen interest in his subject gives us not only a picture of the tirne which he depicts, and which will always be of value as the impression of one who was both chronicler and critic from day to day, but he also offers us brief and well drawn sketches of the men who have been conspicuous in the public life of the State, portraits which possess all the vividness that springs from personal acquaintance and careful observation. For those who come after us it is always well to learn, in Browning's words, "how it strikes a contemporary,'' and when the history of Massachusetts during the last twenty-five years shall be written by some historian still unborn he will find Mr. Hennessj^'s book not only one of his best authorities but the attraction of the personal note, inseparate from the man who describes events of which he was a part. AUTHOR'S NOTE In this book I have recorded the important State and National political events of the past 25 years in Massachusetts and something of the men who had to do with those events. The record begins with 1890 when Governor John Q. A. Brackett, Republican, was defeated for re-election by William E. Russell, the Democratic can- didate; and it ends with the gubernatorial election of 1913, when Samuel W. McCall, the Republican candidate, defeated for re-election Governor David I. Walsh, the Democratic incumbent of the office. I was tempted to undertake this work because of my long and intimate acquaintance, as political reporter on the Boston Globe, with the men and events of this interesting period of Massachusetts politics. In order to keep the work within reasonable bounds it has been necessary to outline briefly many things that may seem — and un- doubtedly are — worthy of more extensive elucidation and comment. But this would make a work of many volumes so I have merely recorded the essential facts in logical and chronological order with- out too much of comment. And, such as it is, it is submitted in the hope that it will meet a necessity — the necessity of those who take an active interest in Massachusetts politics and in her public men. The founders of this Commonwealth were noble men and women. On the bleak shores of Massachusetts Bay they built their homes, erected their meeting house and public school. Here they worked out their own ideas of self-government, encouraged thrift, education, respect for authority and that love of freedom which they transmitted to future generations through their descendants and their cherished institutions. It is a thrilling story, filled with the heroic deeds of her sons whose service to humanity the world over is unsurpassed if indeed it is equalled by any other Commonwealth on the American conti- nent. She welcomes to her borders the oppressed of every land, clothes them with the beauty and majesty of her statehood, asking only in return loyalty and devotion to her ideals. Sometimes in the strife and turmoil of politics we are apt to forget this splendid heritage, but when the smoke of political battle disappears victor and vanquished gladly acknowledge its great- ness and hasten to help preserve the fair name of a Commonwealth whose contributions to art, science, literature, education, freedom, charity and humanitarianism challenge the admiration of the world. Boston, July, 1916. M. E. H. CONTENTS Foreword ..... ... Author's Note .... ... Chapter I — Election of William E. Russell Governor. Chapter II — Russell's First Term as Governor Chapter III — Reelection of Gov Russell. Chapter IV — National and State Campaigns, 1892. Chapter V — Gov Russell's Third Term Chapter VI — Greenhalge's First Term as Governor. Chapter VII — Second and Third Terms of Greenhalge Chapter VIII — National and State Campaigns, 1896. Chapter IX — Roger Wolcott's Administration. Chapter X — Gov Crane's First Term Chapter XI — ^National and State Campaigns, 1900. Chapter XII — Crane's Second and Third Terms Chapter XIII— Gov Bates' First Term Chapter XIV — Gov Bates Reelected Chapter XV — National and State Campaigns, 1904. Chapter XVI— Gov Bates Defeated .... Chapter XVII— (Death of Senator Hoar. Chapter XVIII — ^Douglas and His Single Term Chapter XIX — State Campaign of 1905. Chapter XX — Guild and Draper's First Term. Chapter XXI — Moran's Unsuccessful Fight for Governor Chapter XXII— Guild's Second Term Chapter XXIII— Famous "Pink Ticket" Convention Chapter XXIV— Third Term of Gov Guild Chapter XXV — ^National Campaign of 1908 Chapter XXVI — State Campaign of 1908. Chapter XXVII — 'Draper and Frothingham's First Term Chapter XXVJII — Foss Joins Democrats Chapter XXIX — Second Term of Draper Chapter XXX — Foss Beats Buchanan for Congress. Chapter XXXI — Foss for Governor Page VII IX I 10 19 29 35 45 54 63 72 86 90 95 104 112 119 128 133 138 147 154 162 170 176 185 192 201 206 211 218 223 227 Chapter XXXII— State and Congressional Campaigns, 1910 Chapter XXXIII— Foss Fails to Defeat Senator Lodge. Chapter XXXIV— Speakership Contest, 1911 • Chapter XXXV— Foss' First Term as Governor Chapter XXXVI— State Campaign, 191 1. Chapter XXXVII— Foss' Second Term . . • • CTiapter XXXVIII— Massachusetts' Part in National Campaign 1912 Chapter XXXIX — National Convention, 1912. Chapter XL— Birth of Bull Moose Party Chapter XLI — National and State Campaigns, 1912. Chapter XLII— John W. Weelcs Elected U S Senator. Chapter XLIII— Gov Foss' Third Term .... Chapter XLIV — Leading Up to State Campaign, 1913 Chapter XLV — State Campaign, 1913 .... Chapter XLVI— jAftermath State Campaign,, 1913. Chapter XLVII— Gov Walsh's First Term Chapter XLVIII — Second Administration of Gov Walsh Chapter XLIX — Contest for Republican Gubernatorial Nomi- nation, 191S ........ Chapter L — Samuel W. McCall Defeats Walsh Chapter LI — The Passing of Walsh — State "Redeemed". Page 235 241 2SI 256 267 273 281 287 296 303 313 324 335 341 351 356 36s 378 384 392 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS A Page Allen Charles H . 40 B . 340 igs Barry, Edward J Bird, Charles Sumner 274 Bartlett, Charles W., Gen. . IS2 Boutwell, George S 204 Bates, John L., Gov. . 104 Boynton, Thomas J ,^48 Baxter, Charles S . 27« Brackett, John Q. A 10 Belmont, August . 268 Brooks, William H 320 Benton, Everett C • 340 Buckley, Daniel F 182 Bigney, Sidney O . .366 Burnett, Robert M 172 Billings, Edmund . 366 C . 66 Butler, William M 60 Callahan, Christopher T. .. Corcoran, John W., Gen. . .. 14 Carter, William H . 3S2 CoTtelyou, George B., giving Cassidy, Thomas F . 254 out bulletins at Buffalo. . 06 Champlin, Edgar R . 278 Cosgrove, Daniel 274 Cleve and, Grover, Pres. .^ . 29 Coughlin, John W 66 Coakley, Daniel H . .^66 Crane, Winthrop M. Sen. . .. i,s6 Cole, Charles H., Gen. ... • 144 Crapo, William W 40 Cole Tohn N . 222 Crowley, Robert J Cummings, John W 246 Collins, Patrick A., Gen. . .. ■ 14 82 Conry, Joseph A . 182 Curley, James M 284 Coolidge, Calvin . 228 Currier, Guy W 340 Coolidge, Frederick S • 14 Curtis, Edwin U ■?o Coolidge, Louis A . 26« Gushing, Grafton D 268 Coolidge, William H . 27S D 216 Dallinger, Frederick W. . .. Douglas, William L 138 Doherty, Daniel F 182 Draper, Eben S., Gov 211 Donahoe, Frank J .M« Draper, Wm. R, Gen., Statue 288 Donovan, James 36 F 172 Feeney, John P Foss, Taft and Mayor Fitz- Fitzgerald, John F 82 gerald at Evacuation Day Foss, Eugene N., Gov 235 Parade 292 Gallivan, James A 3'52 Galvin, J. Mitchel 204 Gardner, Augustus P 2122 Gaston, William A., Col. ... 112 Gillett, Frederick H 332 Gove, Jesse M 50 Greenhalge, Fred'k T., Gov. 45 Greenwood Levi H 260 Guild, Curtis, Jr., Gov 162 Guild's, Curtis Funeral Scenes 374 Hale, Matthew 274 Hamlin, Charles S 112 Hammond, John Hays .... 198 Harrison, Benjamin, Pres. . . 20 Hart, Thomas N 40 Hatfield, Charles E 320 Hayes, William P 246 H Page Hitchcock, Frank H 222 Hoar, George Frisbie Statue 132 Hoar, Roger Sherman 260 Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Judge 100 Houghton, Albert C 36 Howland, Willard 82 Innes, Charles H 2128 Kieth, Eben S. S. Keliher, John A.. K 260 Kimball, James W 60 182 Knowlton, Rosea M., Judge 100 Langtry, Albert P 320 Lawrence, George P 60 Lodge, Henry Cabot, Sen. . . 241 Lodge, Taft and Mayor Far- rell at Maiden Celebration 292 Lomasney, Martin M 254 Lucej Robert 198 Malley, John F Macleod, Frederick J Malone, Dana Mansfield, Frederick W. ... Maynard, Joseph A McCali, Samuel W., Gov. . .. McCall on his way to the Polls McCall and Legislative Com- mittee, 1892 McGregor, Alexander M 268 M'cKinley, William, Pres. . . 90 246 McLaughlin, Edward F 60 G6 McNary, William S 66 348 Meany, John F 352 246 Meyer, George von L 50 392 Miles, Nelson A., Gen 144 Moody, William H., Judge . 100 380 Moran, John B 172 Murray, Michael J., Judge . 100 384 Murray, William F 284 260 O'Connell, Joseph F 204 Olney, Richard, 2nd 352 Olney, Richard 14 O'Neil, Joseph H 6 Paige, Calvin D 332 Paine, Robert Treat, Jr. ... 82 Pearson, Gardner L, Gen. . . 144 Pelletier, Joseph C 333 Peters, Andrew J 1112 Pillsbury, Albert E 40 Pinkerton, Alfred S 50 Plunkett, William B 320 Pov/ers, Samuel L 152 Progressive Party Certificate 296 Qnincy, Josiah ' g Roberts, Ernest W 216 Rogers, John J 216 Roosevelt, Theodore, Pres. . 119 Roosevelt Being Interviewed by Reporters 96 Roosevelt at Harvard 220 Roosevelt and Taft in Inaug- ural Parade 296 Russell, John E ' ' ^6 Russell, William E .'..'. i Shaw, William 366 Stopford, William, Gen 144 Stratton, Charles S 112 Sullivan, John A 204 Page Supreme Court of Massachu- setts in Session 396 Swift, James M 228 Taft Greeting Wilson at Tague, Peter F 216 White House 326 Thacher, Thomas C 152 Taft Shaking Hands with Tinkham, George Holden . . . 278 Charles E. Hatfield 306 Treadway, Allen T 254 Taft, William H. Pres 192 Trefry, William D. T 6 Vahey, James H 172 W Walker, Joseph 274 Walsh,David 1 3S6 Walsh, Joseph 340 Wardwell, J. Otis 348 Warren, Bently W 36 Washburn, Charles G 222 Washburn, Robert M 254 Weeks, John W. Senator .. 313 Weeks, Senator, Entering the Capitol 380 Whipple, Sherman L 284 White, John E 228 White, Norman Jl 284 Whitney, Henry M 152 Williams, George Fred 6 Wilson, Woodrow, President 360 Winslow, Samuel E 332 Wolcott, Roger, Gov 72 ERRATA Page 30, nth line should read: John W. Corcoran instead of John W. Cockran. Page SO, line under cut of Pinkerton should read Alfred S. Pinkerton. Page S6, 5th line should read 47 instead of 37 years old. Page 269, isth line should read United Shoe Machinery Co in- stead of United States Machinery Co. Governor Russell \j\^^ ^^A.'S..V^-. CHAPTER I. CAMPAIGN OF 1890 — DEFEAT OF GOVERNOR BRACKETT — ELEC- TION OF WILLIAM B. RUSSELL. GOVERNOR. THE State campaign of 1890 was one of the most spirited since the Butler contests a few years before, but unlike the Butler political fights it was free from personalities. It was fought on National and State issues — tariff reform and local questions then agitating the public mind. The Prohibitionists, chafing under the procrastinating pol- icy of the Republicans relating to temperance legislation and encouraged by a vote of 15,000 for the head of their State ticket the year before, started the political ball rolling by holding their State convention at Worcester, September loth, nominating William Blackmer, of Springfield, for Gov- ernor. In Boston, September 17th, the Republicans met in convention, reaffirmed their "fidelity to the principles of tem- perance," pledged their support to legislation to "suppress the dram shop and the saloon" and condemned "the evils of the blighting curse of drink." Gov. Brackett was renominated. The following day, at Worcester, the Democratic State convention assembled, renominated William E. Russell, of Cambridge, for Governor, declared for an eight-hour day for State and municipal employees engaged in manual labor, de- manded the lessening of the hours of work of women and children in mercantile and industrial establishments, advo- cated the broadening of education in general and especially demanded vocational training for children. Home rule for cities and the condemnation of the State's interference with Boston's city government were among the local issues raised. The gubernatorial contest resulted in the election of Rus- sell, by a plurality of 9000, the vote being: Russell, 140,557; Brackett, 131,454; Blackmer, 1.3,554. William D. T. Trefry, of Marblehead, Democratic candi- date for Auditor, was elected by a plurality of about 8000 over 1 Charles R. Ladd, Republican, of Springfield. The Democrats increased their representation in both branches of the Legis- lature, electing 20 of the 40 senators and 98 members of the House of Representatives. Two amendments to the Constitution were voted on at the election— one to prfevent the disfranchisement of voters by reason of change of residence within the Commonwealth and the other relative to the exercise of the franchise by soldiers and sailors. Both were adopted by large majorities, the for- mer by a vote of 97,\77 to 44,686 and the other by a vote of 100,109 to 27,621. In the congressional elections that year, the Democrats carried seven of the 12 congressional districts of the State, electing their candidates in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, Uth and 12th districts. Up to that time only one district in the State was regarded safely Democratic — the 4th, made up of Demo- cratic wards in Boston and represented by Joseph H. O'Neil. The third district was also represented by a Democrat, John F. Andrew, v/ho two years before had beaten an Old Guard Republican, Alanson W. Beard, ex-collector of the port and a prominent politician. This district consisted almost wholly of Boston Republican wards and the town of Milton. The Democrats were elated over the results of the election and they hadl a right to be. They had not elected a Governor since Butler in 1883 and for the first time since the Republican party came into power, they had succeeded in smashing the Republican State slate below the head of the ticket, in the election of their candidate for State Auditor. Never before had they elected so many congressmen. The result of the Massachusetts election in 1890 attracted nation-wide attention. A high place at the party council table was reserved for their successful candidate for Governor. He was hailed and welcomed by the leaders of his party as a promising )'oung man in the politics of the country. It was Russell's third campaign for the governorship. He had been mayor of his native city of Cambridge, as his father had. He had administered the duties of the office of chief executive of the University City in a manner that v/on praise from men of all political parties. He possessed many attractive personal qualities — youth, oratory of the convincing kind, high charac- ter, lofty ideals in public affairs and a democratic manner of meeting and mingling with his fellow citizens that made him 2 one of the most popular public figures in the State. He was not only the idol of his own political party, but he had many admirers and supporters in the opposition party. Until "Billy" Russell, as his personal friends aflFectionate- ly called him, assumed the leadership of the Massachusetts Democracy, the party had been drifting backwards. Some of its leaders were disappointed with the way in which Grover Cleveland had distributed the Federal loaves and fishes. Others professed not to be pleased with Mr. Cleveland's free trade tendencies. William E. Russell's Democracy was In- herited. He came from a distinguished Democratic family. He was a Democrat also by conviction. He thoroughly believed in the principles of his party and he was ready to fight for them. He was an enthusiastic Cleve- land man. After his first nomination for Governor, in 1888, he went all over the State, preaching the Democratic gospel. In all, he made 50 speeches and breathed new life into his party. His Republican opponent that year was Governor Oliver Ames. The Republicans were successful, being a presi- dential year, the reserve vote coming out. Russell repeated his stumping feat the following year and reduced the Repub- lican lead to the danger point, encouraging the Democrats who entered the next campaign with great enthusiasm. This year, the Republicans, following their party custom nominated Lieutenant Governor John Q. A. Brackett for Gov- ernor, Governor .Ames having had the customary three terms. Mr. Brackett was elected. He was one of the most popular and militant of the younger Republicans of the State. He and i his friends had opposed the Old Guard of the party and he had more than once walked into public office over their pros- trate forms. He was not a rich man. He came from the ranks of the party. He was what they call now-a-days a Progressive, had been a member of the Common Council of Boston — then, the training field for young politicians. He had been a mem- bet of the 'Legislature and had served as Speaker of the House. He had graduated from Harvard with high honors and was his class orator. In his inaugural address to the Legiskture, Gov. F'rackett recommended, among other things, a law for the abolition of grade crossings and another exempting the capital stock of Co-operative banks from taxation, both of which were enacted at the session of 1890. He also recommended a law conferring 3 upon the Superior Court jurisdiction in capital cases, and an- other taxing inheritances, both of which were enacted by sub- sequent Legislatures. The liquor question played an important part in the guber- natorial campaign of 1890. For some time the Prohibitionists had been demanding a prohibitory amendment to the Constitu- tion. The Republican leaders felt that it would not do to put them off longer and in 1889 the amendment was passed by the Legislature. A. special election was ordered April 22, when the question was voted on. The day was made a holiday. Gov. Ames signed the act March 21. The special election was set a whole month ahead in order to give both sides a chance to discuss the issue. The Drys and the Wets worked hard When the ballots were counted the amendment was defeated by a two to one vote, the poll being 43,820 for and 85,242 against. The Prohibitionists were angry. They felt that they had been tricked by those who professed to be their friends in the cause of total abstinence. With an idea of proving to the temperance people his sincerity in their cause Gov. Brackett took the matter up in his inaugural. He discussed the tem- perance issue and it proved more than any other his undoing. It was one of those cases where "The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones," as Shakespeare says. "Every license to sell liquor to be drunk on the premises is sub- ject to the condition that the licensee shall not keep a public bar." said the Governor in his address to the Legislature, quoting the license law of the State, "and shall hold a license as an jnnholder or common victualler; and this latter he is not entitled to hold unless actually carrying on the business specified. The meaning of the law clearly is that, while liquor may be sold by a licensed dealer, like other merchandise, to be carried away, it shall not be sold to be drunk on the premises except in hotels and restaurants. The obvious intent is to do away with the dram shop and the public bar, and only to allow the licensed proprietors of hotels and restaurants, as inci- dental to their principal business as such, to furnish liquor to their bona fide guests. "I.f. therefore, the present law, prohibitory as it is in over 82 per cent of our towns and cities, and thus restrictive in all the others, is thoroughly enforced, as it should be, it will confine liquor selling in Massachusetts within comparatively narrow limits. If further laws are needed to prevent evasions of its letter and spirit, and more elTectually to carry out its intent, I trust that you will enact them." The Police Commissioners of Boston, a State Iboard, ap- pointed by the Governor, enforced Mr. Brackctt's suggestion and not an open bar was permitted in the capital city of the State. Every bar was ordered screened and patrons were obliged to sit at a table before they were served with liquor. In order to live up to the Brackett interpretation of the law, free lunches were set before customers. The new order of things aroused indignation among those who frequented pub- lic bars. Most people preferred the perpendicular drinking and they voted against the Governor as a protest against his interpretation of the law. During the session of the Legislature Gov. Brackett vetoed the bill entitled "An Act to authorize the consolidation of gas and electric light companies." J. Edward Addicks of Dela- ware, then at the height of his power as a manipulator of gas stocks, had secured the passage of this bill. The Governor vetoed it on the ground! that it would allow unlimited stock watering and thereby impose new and unjust burdens upon the people. In his message returning the bill with his objec- tions to the Senate, in which it originated, he closed by re- ferring to the injustice done to the gas consumers of New York city under a similar act of the Legislature of that State. That the McKinley tariff, which went into effect 30 days before the State election, also had much to do with the defeat of Governor Brackett, is demonstrated by the results in the congressional elections that year. The McKinley tariff had raised the duties on many necessaries of life. Tariff reform was at the height of its popularity as a political issue. The Democrats made the most of their opportunities and fanned the flame of public protest. Then, too, the Democrats had gathered together a bril- liant array of young campaigners who could talk well and fight hard. They demonstrated that they knew something .ibout political strategy. They had organized the Young Men's Demo- cratic Club, officered by able, energetic, ambitious men as an adjunct to the Democratic State Committee. Nathan Mat- thews Jr., then 35 years old, was chairman of the executive committee of the State Committee and Josiah Quincy was its secretary. They made an effective campaign team, working early and late, and putting more life into the State Committee than that body had experienced in years. There were, it is true, Democratic factional fights in Boston, where the two prominent machine leaders, Patrick Maguire and Michael M. CunniflF had split the party in two in a personal quarrel, but they and their followers were loyal to Russell. The old say- ing, "The more fights the more cats", was* true that year In Boston, for Gov. Russell received a plurality of 13,348 -votes. Matthews was nominated and elected by the Democrats mayor of Boston after the State campaign, defeating Mayor Hart, the Republican nominee. Several of the bright lights in the Republican party ol' that period had gone over to the Democracy in the Blaine- Cleveland presidential campaign in 1884. They were bitterly opposed to Blaine for President and were known as Mug- wumps. Some of them, like Sherman Hoar, nephew of Senator Hoar, John F. Andrew, son of the famous war Governor, and Josiah Quincy, of the historic Quincy family, were among them. George Fred Williams, of Dedham, was another one of the anti-Blaine Republicans who went over to the Democracy. Williams, Andrew and Hoar were elected to Congress this year, the former over John W. Candler of Brookline, by a slim margin. Dr. William Everett, whom Harvard students used to call "Piggy" Everett, was a Mugwump of Mugwumps. The Doctor hailed from Quincy, but the Democrats of the Lynn district nominated him against Henry Cabot Lodge in 1890. He made a picturesque campaign, but Mr. Lodge was success- ful by 1000 votes. The Democrats made Mr. Lodge their special target because of his "Force Bill" which he had intro- duced in Congress for an honest Federal control of national elections. John F. Andrew defeated Edward L. Pierce, brother of Henry L. Pierce, the latter a former Republican whose defec- tion dated from the Hayes-Tilden presidential campaign and his failure to receive, his critics claim, the Republican guber- natorial nomination. Henry L. Pierce was one of Boston's public spirited citizens and was twice mayor of the city. His liberal contributions to the Democratic campaign chest in the Russell years made him welcome at all party gatherings of the Democracy. His brother Edward was the biographer of Charles Sumner, but the magic name of Andrew, coupled with the pleasing personality of the Democratic congressional can- didate, proved too much to overcome in a tidal wave year which engulfed the Republicans. Sherman Hoar, who lived in Waltham then, defeated James A. Fox, of Cambridge, by more than 3500 votes. Fox Joseph H. O'Neil. William D. T. Trefry. ■George Fred Williams Josiah Quincy. was not attractive to the independent voter and in the contest he shov^ed a lack of knowledge of the issues of the campaign. Hoar, on the contrary, was popular with all classes. His fam- ily and college connections were a great asset to him. He was a pleasing public speaker and the family trait of independ- ence which he typified won him many Ai-otes. By a slim margin, Moses T. Stevens, of North A.ndover, a Democrat of the old school, defeated for reelection his Re- publican opponent, Frederick T. Greenhalge, of Lowell, con- gressman from the eighth district. The defeat of Greenhalge only served to open to him a wider sphere of public and party usefulness. He was elected the successor of Russell in the gubernatorial chair, three years later, after another Lowell man, Charles H. Allen, Jiad tried unsuccessfully to do it. In the other two congressional districts, the 11th ind 12th, two Democrats were elected^ — ^Frederick S. Coolidge, of Ash- burnham in the former and John C. Crosby in the latter. Mr. Crosby was defeated in the next election, but he continued m politics for many years. He was the candidate for second place on the state ticket with William L. Douglas, when the latter was chosen Governor in 1904. Gov. Douglas appointed him a judge of the Superior Court and Gov. Foss named him a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. Congressman Francis W. Rockwell of Pittsfield was his opponent in 1890. Timothy G. Spaulding of Northampton was Mr. Coolidge's Republican opponent. Mr. Coolidge suffered the same fate as Mr. Crosby at the following election. In addition to Henry Cabot Lodge, the Republicans elected to congress that year Congressman Charles S. Randall, of New Bedford, in the first district, Congressman Elijah A. Morse of Canton in the second district, and Congressman William Cogswell of Salem in the seventh. Congressman Randall's Democratic opponent was Col. Charles R. Codman, another prominent Mug-wnimp who continued to act with the Democrats. Bushrod Morse of Sharon was Elijah Morse's Democratic opponent. Joseph Walker of Worcester, who was one of the leading Mugw^umps of the country in 1884, but who had returned to the party of his first love and had been elected to Congress, was reelected, but his plurality was considerably reduced by his Democratic opponent, Charles B. Pratt, a rich Democrat from the same city. Mr. Walker was an impulsive man. He could and did say many sharp things about his political oppo- nents, remarking on the result of the election of 1890, that it had been brought about by a "combination of Harvard College and the slums of Boston." Mr. Walker was the father of Joseph Walker, the unsuccessful Republican gubernatorial standard bearer in 1913 and the Progressive candidate for Gov- ernor in 1914. The Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor, in 1890, William H. Haile, of Springfield, was reelected over John W. Corcoran, of Clinton, the Democratic candidate, who, by the way, was a cousin of David I. Walsh, Democratic Gov- ernor 1914 and 'IS. The vote for second place that year was Haile, 13.7,160, Corcoran, 130,030. John W. Corcoran, Rus- sell's running mate in all but one of his campaigns for Gov- ernor, was an able, popular young lawyer who hailed from Clinton, Worcester County. He was an attractive campaigner, a man of probity and honorable in his dealings with his fellow men. Gov. Russell appointed him a judge of the Superior Court, but he remained on the bench only a short time, resign- ing to reenter the practice of his profession. The salary of a judge of the Superior Court at that time was only $5500 a year and Judge Corcoran felt that this salary was not adequate for the support of his family. His resignation was regretted by Democrats all over the State, particularly by the Catholic population, as he was the only one of their religion on the bench of the higher courts. Political troubles never come singly. Besides their other troubles this year, the Republicans had a spirited contest for Auditor on their State ticket. The incumbent of that office, Charles R. Ladd, of Springfield, had held the office for 11 years and Republican politicians had begun to ask if he had a mortgage on the place. Major J. Henry Gould, of Medfield, led the opposition to the renomination of Auditor Ladd. Major Gould was prominent and popular in Grand Arm/ circles and defeated Ladd for a renomination, but the Major's victory was short lived. His opponents charged him with being a corrupt carpet bagger in the South, where it was alleged he was mixed up in some questionable financial transactions while a government official after the Civil War. His oppo- nents threatened to expose him and laid their charges before the Republican State leaders. There was a hurried night ses- sion of the officers of the State Committee and some of the 8 Republican campaign managers. Major Gould was forced off the State ticket. It was claimed at the time that somebody in authority promised to take care of the Major if he would retire, but the promise, if made, was never kept. Later the Major was able to disprove the charges made against him, but he was off the State ticket and he and his friends declined to support Ladd. When the vote was counted it was found that the Democratic nominee, William D. T. Trefry, of Marblehead, was elected. Mr. Trefry was defeated the next year for reelection by Gen. John W. Kimball, of Fitchburg, but he was continued in the service of the State, receiving an appointment from Goy. Russell, and he has been retained in office by every succeeding Governor and is now Tax Commis- sioner of the Commonwealth. Gov. Brackett accepted the verdict of the voters grace- fully, cordially congratulated his successor and extended him the courtesies usually proffered the outgoing chief executive of the State to the incoming Governor. That John Q. A. Brackett was a good Governor cannot be denied. He was free from entangling corporation alliances — freer, perhaps, than most of his Republican predecessors in years. He was a man of the people, moved among them freely, sympathized with their aims and needs and was one of the most Democratic of men. A man of broad sympathies and a kindly nature, he gave much attention to the problems of State affecting the welfare of those less fortunate than himself. He had no personal regrets in leaving the office of Gov- ernor and on his departure from the State House carried with him the respect not only of his friends and supporters, but of those who opposed him politically. CHAPTER II. RUSSELL'S FIRST TERM AS GOVERNOR AND HIS RE-ELECTION- REPEAL OP POLL TAX LAW — LICENSE LAW AMENDED— CHARLES H. ALLEN, OF LOWELL, RUSSELL'S RE- PUBLICAN OPPONENT IN CAMPAIGN OP 1891. WILLIAM E. Russell was inaugurated Governor Jan. 8, 1891 — Jackson Day, in the Democratic political cal- endar— the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, when "Old Hickory" routed the British forces under Packen- ham. There was a great outpouring of the faithful and a distinguished gathering of public men of all political parties assembled to hear the new and youthful Chief Executive de liver his first inaugural address to the members of the Legis- lature. With the exception of George S. Boutwell, Russell was the youngest man ever inaugurated Governor. Boutwell, like Russell, was a Democrat when he was sworn in 40 years be- fore. Gov. Russell's party followers celebrated the dual event with a banquet in the evening and speeches by distinguished Democrats. The Legislature had met the day before and organized with Henry B. Sprague, of Boston, President of the Senate and William E. Barrett, of Melrose, Speaker of the House, There was a disposition on the part of some of the Democratic Sena- tors to make trouble over the organization of the Senate, but wiser counsels prevailed and Mr. Sprague divided the Senate committee chairmanships as evenly as possible. In his inaugural, Gov. Russell devoted much space to a discussion of the restriction upon the suffrage, pointing out that Massachusetts almost alone required the payment of a tax as a qualification for voting, and said that the tax quali- fication "either disfranchises many thousands of men or tends to subject their votes to the control of another's will. ' "It leads," he added, "to the debasement of our politics, to the collection and expenditure of large sums of money at elections- It tends to make wealth a necessary qualification for candidates be- cause poverty is a disqualification for voters. In important exciting 10 Governor Brackett. contests it is of no effect except to degrade the voter, to burden the candidates, and to suggest and encourage corruption. "Upon such grounds the Constitutional Convention of 1853 voted more than three to one against it. Democrats, Whigs, and the foun- ders of the Republican party, stood side by side demanding its aboli- tion, amongst them such distinguished jurists and statesmen as Marcus Morton, Charles Sumner, Joel Parker, Henry Wilson, Charles Allen, Francis W. Bird Otis P. Lord, Richard H. Dana Jr., George S. Boutwell, Amasa Walker, Anson Burlingame, Nathaniel P. Banks, Robert Rantoul and William Schouler." In conclusion, Gov. Russell declared: "There is now the same demand just as strong and non-partisan. Recognizing it, your predecessors of last year, by a large majority, adopted a resolution to amend the Constitution by annulling so much ot it as requires the payment of a tax as a qualification for voting. This resolution now comes up for your consideration. I strongly recommend immediate and favorable action upon it, and -its submission to the people, as required by the Constitution, at an early day, — to the end that the suffrage may as soon as possible be made broader, safer and purer, by removing the injustice, danger and evil that now surround it." Beth parties were glad enough to repeal the provision, as the law worked a great hardship on candidates for political office. It was a drain on the treasury of political parties and candidates for public office, especially in the large cities where many voters neglected to pay their poll tax, depending on their party candidates or political leader to do it for them. Hence, it often happened that a rich man had an advantage over a poor man, who could not afford to pay the necessary assess- ment for the payment of poll taxes. In some districts it used to be said that candidates were expected to spend at least from $10,000 to $15,000 for this purpose alone. The corrupting influence and activities of the lobby were discussed by the Governor. "Criticisms of the Third House,'' he declared, "are^not based upon rumor or conjecture, but upon facts reported after a most thorough investigation by your predecesors". Referring to the recent legislative inves- tigation of the work of the lobby in connection with the pas- sage of the West End Street Railway bill, permitting the consolidation of all the street railways in the City of Boston and some of the surrounding cities and towns, brought on by charges made by Representative George Fred Williams of Dedham, who alleged that corrupt means had been employed to procure the passage of the bill. Gov. Russell quoted from the report of the investigating committee this paragraph : 11 " 'It is a fact toeyond denial that a body of professional lobbyists has for years formed part of the machinery of legislation, . .. and has been growing in number and influence.' " "The evils of the lobby have become so flagrant and disgraceful," he added, "that for the purity of legislation, the protection of our Commonwealth, they demand your serious consideration, and some stringent and radical remedy," and he recommended amending the lobby act, compelling sworn statements of expenses incurred by interested persons before a measure became a law. Referring to railroad passes he observed : "The pay now allowed to a member of the Legislature for his services makes it unjust to put upon him any further expense. I be- lieve the giving of such passes ought either to be forbidden or com- pelled by law, and that any expense involved should be borne by the State. This may be done by a fair and proper mileage system, which seems, however, to require an amendment to the Constitution, mileage being by it limited to 'travelling to the General Assembly and return- ing home once in every session, and no more.' Or you may deem it wise for the State to purchase and give such passes; or if within its power, to require the railroad corporations to give them. They could hardly object to a law which should compel them to do only what they now do voluntarily." Under the heading of "Liquor Legislation" Gov. Russell said: "I call to your attention the well known variety of opinion as to the meaning of the statute provision which forbids the keeping of a public bar, and the utter lack of agreement in its construction and enforcement. It is inconsistent with sound public policy that a pro- vision of law which isthe same for the whole Commonwealth should be open to these objections. In my judgment, this provision as construed and enforced in the city of Boston, does not tend to pro- mote temperance, is not sustained by public opinion, and ought to be corrected," In urging a corrupt practices act, calling for the publica- tion of campaign expenses, he said: "The people have a right to know the amount of such expenses, for what and to whom incurred, and to limit their amount and define their proper objects. Expenditures which cannot bear the light of day ought not to be made." After Russell's election as Governor, it was discovered that the State Constitution required that the Governor of Massachusetts must be possessed of a freehold of at least $5000 and it was currently reported at the time that the Gov- ernor-elect and his friends were obliged to use their wits in order to comply v/ith this archaic provision of the Constitution. 12 He called attention to this provision of the Constitution in his address to the Legislature and urged its repeal. Very few oi his auditors on the occasion were aware of the law and the Legislature very properly and promptly proceeded to strike it from the Constitution. The Legislature having organized, the Governor having been sworn in and his inaugural address having been deliv- ered, the executive and legislative branches of the State gov- ernment settled down to business. Gov. Russell appointed as his secretary. Col. Jeremiah W. Coveney, of Cambridge, a well known Democratic politician, who had a good war record as a soldier and officer in the old 28th Massachusetts Regiment, a part of the Irish Brigade of the Union Army in the Civil War. Col. Coveney had been Surveyor of the Port in the first Cleveland administration and took a prominent part in Gov. Russell's last campaign. Gov. Russell named a military staff embracing all elements of his party. The length of the legislative session of 1891 was 156 days. It was prorogued at 12.50 A. M. June 11, after having passed 481 acts and 118 resolves, which had become law. It redistricted the State into 13 congressional districts, an extra congressman being assigned the State by the congressional reapportionment under the last census. Among the important laws passed by the Legislature of 1891 were the oleomargarine and imitation butter bills for the protection of the dairy inter- ests of the State. It abolished the Gypsy Moth Commission which had fallen into disrepute and turned the work of exter- mination of the pest over to the State Board of Agrictdture. The clause in the license law forbidding the sale of liquor over a public bar was stricken out and a provision was intro- duced prohibiting the sale of liquor at tables in any room where liquor selling was the exclusive or principal business. A new drunk law, permitting arresting officers to dis- charge without court proceedings first offenders was passed. The weavers fine bill was enacted, but was subsequently de- clared- unconstitutional by the Supreme Judicial Court of the State. Another act passed that year permitted cities and towns to engage in the manufacture and sale of gas and electricity. A collateral inheritance law was enacted putting a tax of 5% on inheritances when the estate was valued at more than $10,000. 13 The first sweat shop bill was passed by the General Court this year, prohibiting the sale of clothing and garments made outside the State in tenements and imsanitary shops. A rapid transit bill was passed for Boston authorizing the investiga- tion of the subject and ordering the commission to report Its findings to the next Legislature. Restrictive legislation was proposed affecting fraternal and beneficiary organizations which had sprung up like mush- rooms all over the land. The public had gone mad over this form of insurance. Many sharpers reaped a har\'-est in the formation and manipulation of these societies at the expense of a credulous public. There was a general demand that the State impose strict regulation on these organizations through its insurance department, but those who had made money out of the business employed very able counsel and success- fully fought off action by this Legislature, which referred the subject to the next General Court. 