SUPPLEMENT TO NORTH PLATTE (Neb.) TRIBUNE
CHESTER H. ALDRICH AND HIS HOME FOLKS
J'
f v 4
ALDRICH AT HOME.
David City, Neb., Oct. 1. A cnnvaBS
f tho peoplo who know C. H. Aid
rich ns follow townsmen and neighbors
during tho last twenty years htiB Just
been completed for the purpose ot
lotting tho stato know somothlng def
' Inltc about tho personality and pri
vate record of tho republican nomlnco
for tho governorship. Tho opinion of
' Iho community will bo given In tho
Words of representative pcoplo com
prising It. They will show that Mr.
Aldrlch s a man of substance and flno
roputatlon, whoso private and public
life can bo Investigated to tho bottom
Without disclosing a flaw.
A correspondent going from store
to store, and from ofllco to olTlco
around tho public squaro of this thrif
ty and high grado county soat town,
found the business and professional
ready to give out their testimony
In such a hoarty and posltlvo manner
ns to leavo no doubt as to their con
fidence la their townsman, that ho Is
not only ablo, not only sincere but
enthusiastic to carry into tho oxecu
tlvo ofllco at Lincoln tho high purpose
expressed in tho republican stato plat
form and in his own public utterances.
What Hlo Neighbors Say.
Across tho street from the Central
National bank is tho general mcrchan
illso store of Mr. George Schwesor.
Mr. Schwescr, bolng himself a suc
cessful business man, was asked to
mako a statement for publication of
his Judgment of Mr. Aldrlch from tho
business man's point ot view.
"I Judge Mr. Aldrlch's business as I
Co those of other mon, from what ho
ehowa up for himself. Ho camo to this
county a poor boy, fresh from college,
taught school at Ulysses, ono ot tho
towns In this county, camo from there
hero with his young wife whom he
married there, camo here to begin his
career as n lawyer, haB been hero over
. elncd nearly twenty years, has prac
Njtlcpa law and been successful In that
pofcsslon, engaged In other lines ot
business on tho sldo from time to
time, succeeded In the other enter
prises, provided well for his family
all tho time, schooled his children, four
eons, has now a profltablo law busl-
etts, ono ot tho good homes hero, has
320-ncro farm a row miles out in
tho country, some other property, and
Is, on the whole, not rich, but well to
do, and prosperous. I call that success
from a business standpoint."
"Mr. Aldrlch is broad-minded and
progressive in his views ot public at-
frlro. Ho wants tho best schools, the
et.A.nd best methods and nppll-
(lUCtti in pumic niBuiuuuuH, uut uo ih
I . t L t
no nsionary, no experimentor, nor
waster ot public money. I believe he
would give the stato a first-class and
clean administration."
Tho next man Interviewed was Al
blnus Eberly, a banker and retired
farmer. "I have known Mr. Aldrlch
about twenty-flvo years," sold Mr. Eb
erly. "When I was on the farm, I
used to bo called on tho Jury. A farm
er Juror watches tho lawyers In court.
Ho learns to Judge their character and
methods. I learned from that oxporl
ence to know Mr. Aldrlch as a hard
. fighter In n trial. Ho Is plum full of
energy, always In dead earnest about
everything, but In th6 trial of a case
lie flghtB with all his might. He
(wants to win his cause. I have always
admired him for his courage and his
grit as a lawyer."
"But, Mr. Eberly, you nro a bank di
rector now, as well as a farmer, and
you are a part ot a 'big business' that
Is moro or less Jealous of tho progres
elvo laws and ot aspiring politicians
and public men who cater to progroB
elvo public sentiment. Is Mr. Aldrlch
,t firewater, WH0 wants to attuck busi
ness for tho sake of being popular
itvlth the masses?"
"No, not a bit of It. Ho is too much
of a business man himself for that.
I To prospers in hlB own business af
fairs, wants every other business man
to prosper, but ho is a stickler for the
law. Ho wants tho business interests,
big and little, to respect the laws, and
bo wants tho laws to be made bo that
every man, rich or poor, will liavo an
even chance. Doth the farmers and
the business men of this county will
have confidence In Mr. Aldrlch It he
goes to Lincoln."
Tho next business man seen was
O. W. Gates. He said: "Mr. Aldrlch
Is a good citizen. I want to say that
about him, because It Is truo, and tho
' people ot tho stato have a right to
know It. Everybody bore, even Ills
most actlvo political enemies, will
agree to that. Mr. Aldrlch Is enter
prising and public-spirited. That's
a good point In his favor now. Ho
iwnnts the best conditions In tho city
Vffalratero where he was mayor for
eVtuffo, and In tho public schools,
where he has been a member of tho
Bchool board for years. He has had
lots of experience In our public mat-
tors ot this town nnd county and wo
know him as a leader who leads to
wards better conditions all the time."
Mr. Bcnlson, a business man. said:
"I havo known Mr. Aldrlch a, good
many years. From wnat I Know or
him, I would have nbsoluto confidence
In every promlso he would mako. Ho
Is no ready promisor. On tho wholo,
I' should say ho Is thoroughly depend
able and will not disappoint tho public
nor betray tho peoplo It ho Is elected
governor."
George Wanser, hotol man: "I
knew Chet Aldrlch when ho was a
young fellow teaching tho school at
Ulysses. I know Mrs. Aldrlch when
she was a girl there beforo they wero
married. They havo lived an Ideal
life, and havo a flno family of four
bright boys. Tho boys worked out on
tho farm when thov wero not In
school. Aldrlch Is a clean, homo man.
Everybody knows that. Ho is a itreat
horso man. Ho used to own somo of
tho fastest horses In tho stato. Ho
has had lots of experience In flno
horses and fine cattle. Ho has a herd
of whlto-facod cattlo now, somo ot thorn
tho best In tho stato. Aldrlch has
been n mighty busy man hero. If ho
gots to be governor, ho will bo a
worker. He can't keep still. Ho Is
right at something nil the tlmo, nnd
no make3 It go."
James Prater, druggist: "If you ask
mo about Mr. Aldrlch, I will say this:
Ho Is a good worker, a good thinker.
and n man of good purposos nnd. good
principles. Ho has nn actlvo mind.
Now, I say that about him becauso
it Is truo, and It's a good recommenda
tion for a man who is coinc to ho nut
In a responBlblo public position. Then
I wnnt to say another thing: Ho is
a common man who puts himself on
tho lovol with tho common nconlo and
thinks of them nnd of their Interests.
Ho gets this characteristic from his
early life and ho is too Independent
to chango himself now. If ho goes In
to tho governor's offlce he will be
squaro with the Interests of tho com
mon peoplo. His head Is all right, his
heart Is right, hiB Judgment Is right,
nnd his sympathies aro in tho right
line."
W. a. Buchta, Jeweler. "I believe
Aldrlch will bo ono of tho very best
governors tho stato over had! Ho is
keen-minded to seo things, seSea them
correctly, and wants to succeed in
whatover he undertakes. Ho is pro
gressive all tho timo In his political
VIows, but Is no fault-finder nor
chronic howler of calamity. Ho will
not persecute an Interest, unlesB It Is
something ho thinks Is positively bad,
nnd then he'll fight It, no matter what
tho consequences aro to himself."
Mr. Myaat, banker: ''If you want mo
to make a Btntoment about Mr. Aldrlch
I will Just say that I know him well,
know his business mothodo, his politi
cal history and his work hero in" a
public way, and from that knowledco
I would say ho would bo a thoroughly
sare mnn for governor. Ho Is nrocros.
8ive, Uut he's a bullder-un nnd not a
tearer-down. That's tho way I would
pui u. you can't wheedle Aldrlch nor
procure him nor bluff him. Mr. Aid.
rich Is an open kind of man. He se-
cretos nothing. Whatover ho is, every
body knows. Ho'll undoubtedly mako
mistakes If he gots to bo governor
for they all do, but Aldrlch will never
got tangled up In uny mnnlnulatlnnn
that will discredit him."
J. G. Ross, banker: "Aldrlch made
his own way through Bchftol, came out
here to Nebraska and Biiccceded. He's
a self-made man. Ho is not visionary.
Ho don't get rattled. I have had lots'
ot business with him and havo always
found him on tho square. I bellove
that he will bo elected and that 'ho
will mako n splendid govornor. If I
did not think so I would not endorse
him."
C O. Crosthwalt, banker: "Aldrlch
has the qualities that havo niadn nnv
ornor Folk famous. Ho Is quick- to
see, to Judge which is the right courso,
and he moves straight forward with
energy and ability. Ho is like Gover
nor Hanley of Indiana, full of sent!
ment and full of enthusiasm In any
cause. If he Is elected govornor, I
shall expect him to grow Into general
favor with tho Nebraska people."
Gene Wright, business man: "I can
not Bay now that I fully agree with
Mr. Aldrlch In his county option views.
But I am bound to say that I havo tho
utmost confidence In his sincerity and
In his- ability as a man, and that If
elected his administration will be
clean and competent. Every one here
who knows him will say that of him,
whether they agree with him political
ly or not."
Democrat Gives Support.
J. P. Ammond, hardware store: "I
used to bo a democrat. But I am sup
porting Mr. Aldrlch now. I know
him woll; know him to bo an
upright man, a progressive man,
one who cannot bo swerved from
his duty to tho public. Ho Is neither
a coward nor a trimmer. Tho peoplo
ot tho stato ought to know htm from
his legislative record. Ho Is what I
call a man ot tho peoplo."
Ex-Stato. Senator Hastings, attor
ney: "I am not ngrcelng with Mr.
Aldrlch in everything, but I want to
speak fairly of him. Ho Is a good
lawyer, a good business man, and ho
Is competent to haudto tho public
business as governor. Ho Is ambitious,
I think, wants public applause but
ho will do what ho says ho will do.
His career so far has been n success."
Anton Ptacok, business man: "I
havo known Mr. Aldrlch about twenty
flvo years. I knew him at Ulysses
when he was a young follow. I know
that ho stands high thore now. Ho
got ovory republican voto but threo
or four thoro In tho primary. Mr.
Aldrlch is a very outspoken man. If
he gots to bo governor, ho'll offend
somo peoplo now and 'then' with' his
abruptness, for he Is decided in his
mannor, but tho public will respect
him when they find him out. Aldrlch
has a good deal of sympathy and sen
timent In his make-up. Anyono who
hears him spoalc - In public can tell
that. But no's got lots of practical
Bcnse. He's a closo student. He has
in his homo ono of the finest libraries
COUNTY OPTION IS NOT PROHIBITION N
County .option docs not put in a saloon nor take out a
saloon, On presenting a petition to tho county board with tho
legal number of signatures, all tho voters of any county may
say whether they do want a saloon or whether they do not
want one.
At present all tho villages, towns and cities in Nebraska
havo option. Tho taxpayers outside the towns are required to
pay court expenses and assist in the maintenance of jails, and
penitentiaries, thereby forcing them into the position of boing
taxed without representation and virtually disfranchised.
Should the coming legislature pass tho county option law,
any county not voting on tho proposition afterwards would
retain the Slocumb law and 8 o'clock closing law a3 at prosont.
It is ominently fair to let Douglas county have what she wants
and at tho same timo let tho outside counties havo what thoy
want, which both could get by majority voto of their own
peoplo. Let all the people rule,
Tho democratic platform stands for tho initiative and
referendum, which will give all the counties tho right to voto
on tho liquor question the same as county option. Hence,
county option does not restrict personal liberty; it enlarges it.
In the stato and Is a great reader. I
would sura up Aldrlch this way: Ho
la a good lawyer, a good farmor, a
good stock man, a good man in public
affairs, und ho is above all olso a clean
homo man and a good citizen."
Captain J. F. Zollinger: "We are
backing Mr. Aldrlch hore becauso wo
bcllovo ho will make good. Ho has
proven himself hero among us and wo
bcllovo ho will make good It he gots to
tho stato houso in Lincoln. I want to
Bay this in particular about him: Ho
will carry out his promises."
John Harpor, morchant and tor tour
years trcasuror of Butler county: "I
havo been hero thlrty-Blx years. I
can sincerely commend Mr. Aldrlch to
tho Nebraska peoplo. They'll not bo
disappointed In him it they elect him
I govornor."
L. C. Harris, a storekeeper: "Wo aro
proud of Mr, Aldrlch in David City.
Wo arc expecting him to bo elected
nnd to give the Nebraska peoplo an
administration that will not be disappointing."
A. L. Hughes, abstractor: "Put mo
down for Aldrlch. I bcllovo In him
and I conscientiously rccoramond him
to tho thousands who are to vote in
tho eloctlon."
Ed. (i. Hall, postmaster: "I know
Mr. Aldrlch thoroughly nnd I hopo he
will be electod, not simply becauso ho
Is a republican, but becauso I bollevo
ho will mnko good. Ho has right
Ideas nnd ho will carry them out."
Henry Bock, farmer; "I am In a hur
ry. I am in town only for' a fow mo
ments. I voted in tho primary for
Shallonborgcr, for I nm a domocrat.
But I am going to voto for Aldrlch at
tho election. I don't want to bco this
stato cut loose from law and order
and evorythinir that Is decent Wo
can't afford to do that. Thoro's aTot
of democratic farmers in this county
who think Just as I do. Good-bye."
William Kllgore, retired farmor:
"I'm for Aldrlch. He's on tho right
sldo ot tho case. Ho'll do what ho
says, nnd ho'll do it right."
Troy Eller, merchant: "Wo are
strong for Aldrlch hero. Wo know
him and wo bcllovo In him. Somo
think ho is too radical, but ho Is Just
simply In earnest, that's all. He wants
what la right In government nnd wo nil
want that. I think he'll bo oloctcd and
I believo he'll mako a splendid govor
nor." W. A. Wells, lumbor morchant; "Ono
troublo with public affnlrs Is that tho
mon wo elect to olllco are pulled away
from their duty to tho public by tho
men nnd the Interests who havo axes
to grind. Tho special interests want
to use tho officials and thoy manago to
get a good many ot them. Well, I
can say this ot Mr. Aldrlch, thoy can't
use him. He's too Independent In
character for that. They couldn't hold
him back when he went In for that
freight -rato law. We'vo tried him
hero and found him truo at every
point. He'll be Just as squaro with
tho public when ho Is govornor as ho
was when ho was stato sonator."
J. A. Constant, editor of the Peo
plo's Banner, a republican paper: "Mr.
Aldrlch is a man of strong will, &
don't mean that ho la stubborn and
self-opinionated. Ho Is an opon and
candid man, ready to talk out his
plans with everybody, and ready to
chango his courso it ho finds he's
wrong, but vvhenovor ho onco sets his
mind on a cortaln courso, nttor be has
Investigated nnd satisfied htmsolt that
ho is right, then you can't movo him.
Ho was that way In tho sonato. That's
why ho is popular hero. Ho got ovory
republican voto but threo -or four In
tho primary at Ulysses whero ho used
to live. Ho got all but soven ot tho
republican votcu cant hero. Ho got all
but twenty-flvo votca In tho wholo
county, at tho republican primaries.
Ho'll get n lot of democratic votoa in
this county nt tho general election."
I. B. Doty, bank president: "Every
fair-minded man who knows Mr. Ald
rlch well, as I do, will ngrco with mo
that ho Is n mnn of most excellent
qualltlos in ovory way wo moasuro
men. Ho has good ability, plenty ot
conrngo nnd Is absolutoly slncero and
faithful In whatever he undertakes. I
know a good many bankers nnd men
ot nffalra in this Btnto. I want to bo
quoted an saying to them that I bc
llovo Mr. Aldrlch qualified to be, and
that ho will bo it elected, ono ot tho
safest and ablest governors wo havo
ovor had.'1
Woll Informed populist leaders,
who know tho voting strength of tho
party in tho stato and tho gonornl sit
uation, say tho populist voto for Mr.
Aldrlch will raoro than offset tho re
publican voto that will go to tho demo
cratic candldnto on account of tho
saloon lssuo.
Thoro Is no hotter authority ns to
this situation than A. M. Walling, ono
of tho prominent citizens of David
City and now grand master workman
of tho Ancient Order ot United Work
men. Mr. Wnlllng waB seen nt his
office. Ho had Just roturncd, from Lin
coln, where tho populist stato "commit-
too had rejected tho old ruslon with
the democrats nnd refuaod to put tho
namo of tho democratic candldnto for
govornor on tho populist stato tlckot.
Mr. Walling spoko of tho old union
that had existed for so many yoars bo
tween tho popullBts and democrats, but
said it was oft now, so far ns tho eloc
tlon of govornor Is concerned, on thla
ono question ot county option, and that
In his Judgment 00 per cent ot tho
populists would support AldVlch. They
aro for Aldrlch, ho suyB, not only on
account of county option, but becauso
thoy prcfor tho chnractor of Mr. Aid
rich to that of Mr. Dalilmnn.
"It was a great day in Lincoln," said
Mr. Walling. "Our stato commlttoo
turnbd down Mr. Dahlmnn, and while
wo wero doing that, that our voters
might bo frco to cast tholr ballots for
Aldrlch, the Hon. George I. Wright,
prohibition candidate for governor,
was resigning his candidacy In tho in
torents of Mr. Aldrlch, nnd at tho
Bamo time, Mr. Bryan, loved by tho
populists moro than any othor man in
tho, notion, was declaring hlmsolf
against tho democratic candldato,
Dahlman.
"It was n great day. It all means a
good deal for Nebraska. It moans
that tho peoplo who want law and
order nro gottlng together regardless
of party. It Is fortunate for tho popu
lists, who ns a rulo aro farmers, clean
and law-abiding people, that tho repub.
Hcans havo put up for govornor u man
that every good citizen can support
with a clear conscience. I havo known
Mr. Aldrlch sixteen years. Wo do not
ngreo on everything political, but I
havo found him square and slncero
nnd I llko n man of that kind, cvon it
his viewH do not match with mlno in
every particular. Wo aro together this
year on tho Issue that Is boforo tho
peoplo and I Intond to support him
with nil my might. Tho populists, so
fa rns I know, aro practical)- unani
mous for Mr. Aldrlch, and knowing
him woll, as I do, I nm glad as n cltl
zon of this town, whero ho lives, to
recommend him as a man who will not
fool tho people who trust him. He's
a splendid man In his publlo spirit. Ho
gets behind things, such ns our now
library that wo aro building horo, our
churches, our schools, our city affairs,
and ho always works In n hearty and
manly way for tho best things."
Endorsed by tho Ministers.
Tho last men seen by tho cor
respondent at David City wore tho
ministers. They aro not on the stroot
nnd so hnd to ho called an at their
homos. Tho Itov. Mr. Gottys of tho
M. E. church, to which Mr. Aldrlch
nnd his family belong, was warm and
enthusiastic In his commendation ot
Mr. Aldrlchi
"I want you to say this from mo,"
said Mr. Gottys, "that Mr. Aldrlch han
tho confidence of tho Christian peoplo
of David City and of Butlor county.
Whatover his political onomlos may
?ny of him, they cannot truthfully say
that ho Is not a clean man, a good
homo man, slncero nnd consistent as
a church membor, and ho Is a work'
Ing membor of tho church. Tho
other ministers hero will tell you tho
same. There Is no sweotor homo than
his, nor no mnn who Is moro lovod
by his family. Evorybody hore knows
that. 'I am not ouch a church bigot
as to want him to bo govornor ot th
stato simply becauso ha botyngs to
my church, b-jt I want- to bo? ctean,
Christian mon In publlo office, for
ovory stato government ought to bo
clean .at tho top at least. Go nnd aoa
the other mlnlBtcrs nnd find out what
thoy think of Mr. Aldrlch."
Itov. Mr. Klolhauor, pastor of the
Christian church, is. n son-in-law ot
Dr. W. P. Aylsworth, chancellor of
Cotnor tinlvorslty. Speaking of Mr.
Aldrlch, Mr. Klclhauor said: "I havo
watchod Mr. Aldrlch since I havo beon
pastor of our church hero in David
-uy. no is ono of tho lending mon
iit. . .. .i t . . . . ' .. .
imiu dim i nnvo ooon interested in
his courso. I find him a mnn or good
principles, truo In his character and
clean In his life ns a cltlzon nnd as a
church mombor. Mr. Aldrlch planned
tho 'dry' campaign hero threo years
ngo when wo drove tho saloons out of
uavw city. Ho went Into tho fight
Itll tho vlfror nnil nnrnnctnnii llinf
Characterizes him In vnrTrthln- ha
undortnkes,"
It wns SUEKCBtcd thnt Mr. AtftrlMi
ns sonntor voted against county op-
"Certnlnlv lm BnM t wiii.
w ...... umu tiai
hnuor, "nnd wo understood that hero; '
ivouniy option wna not an lssuo whon
ho ran for tho rnnto Tf if hnri hn
Mr. Aldrlch would have beon defontcd.
This county as n wholo Is Btrongly
domocrntlo ami Btrongly against ooun-
iy option. Whon tho county option
ihbuo wns raised In tho senate ho folt
that ho must voto n voto that
ropresont tho majority will of his con-
Bwuionis jn tnis county, bocnuso thoy.
mm noi considered that lssuo whon
they woro votlnc fnr Mm n,t tm.i ..nt
- O uuu tlUVI
hnd nn opportunity to cast tholr votes
umunai nun. uut in order to put him
self fnlr boforo tho peoplo of his own
county and tho peoplo of tho state
wnen no nnnouncod his enndidacy for
govornor. ho nrorlnlmr.l
ho would favor county option and ho
pui u out piain so that ovorybody
could understand nnd could voto
against him on that Issue if thoy
wnntcd to."
Itov. D. F. FJror, pastor of tho Bap
tist church, wns found In tho baso
ment of tho church, helping to ropalr
tho furnace. Ho scorned glad to bo
called upon to glvo his tostlmony for
his follow townsmnn. "I havo" a high
opinion of Mr. Aldrlch," ho said. "I
got that estlmato of him from my
personal acquaintance nnd from whnt .
tho people hero say of him. I havo
boon horo only two years, but that Is
long enough to learn that Mr. Aldrlch
is hold in high ostoom by tho church
people of this town. Ho has boon a
consistent workor horo for tho host
things. Ho is cloan in his homo llfo
and has a flno family."
Dr. C. S. Boedo of David City, a
prominent physician, wns soori on tho
train on his way to Omaha. Ho was
very earnost In his endorsement ot
Mr. Aldrlch. "Mr. Aldrlch Is nn on
thuslnst," said tho doctor, "not of tho
visionary kind, nn onthuslastic bulldor
up of any cnuso ho osnousos. Ho Is a
mnn who proolnlms from tho houso
tops what ho bolloves in tho ctosot.
You enn always dopond on what ho
sayB. I moan by thnt, that ho will
kcop his promises, If ho changes his
courso nt any timo, It is not for policy,
but for principle Ho is no political
side-stepper."
Mr. Aldrlch as an Executive.
W. S, McCoy, formerly of Dnvld
City, but now with tho Lincoln Safe,
Deposit nnd Trust company of Lin
coln, wns nskod for his estlmato of
Mr. Aldrlch, from tho standpoint 'of
his former association with him as an
cssoclato In city affairs: "I Uvod In
Butlor county thirty-two yoars. I was
city clerk of David City twolvo years.
During that timo Mr. Aldrlch was
mayor and mombor of tho city council
sovoral years and was chairman of the
finance committee Ho has oxcoptlon
nlly good ability In handling publlo
business. Ho la quick nnd accurate.
Ho wns tho ono man In tho city gov-
ernmont who gavo closo attention to
tho accounts. As mayor ho put out
tho Blot machines nnd kept them out
and kopt order In tho city. Thoy had
saloons in David City thon. Thero
wns an ordinance that required them
to closo at ten o'clock. Thla -ordinance
had never boon onforcecl. Whon
tho day camo for the licenses to bo
Issued, at the beginning of Mr. Ald
rlch's administration, ho callod tho
saloon .men in. I was right thero at
tho time, and ho gavo them a Btralght
talk. Ho told them boforo thoy puld
tholr money thoy must understand
thnt tho ton o'clock ordinance would
bo otrlctly enforced. A llttlo lator
somo of tho saloon mon apponlod to
him to let them romaln opon till'
cloven o'clock on Saturdays, Thoy
said tholr best trade was on Saturday
night. 'Yob,' said Mr. Aldrlch, 'If I
would ovorrldo tho law and say eleven
o'clock, thon you'd want to leavo tho
back door open until twelvo o'clock.
You want to vlolato tho law and you
wunt mo to Indorse your violation,
which would mnko mo a violator, too.
I have taken an oath and you want
mo to vlolato it for your boneflt. I'll
not consont to it.' And ho didn't, tta
enforced tho ordlnanco to tho letter.
I mention this becauso It shows him
as ho Is, a man who respocts tho law
nnd feels a proper senso ot responsi
bility. Mr. Aldrlch Is not a bully, nor
a tyrant, but ho'a n strong and posi
tive man whon ho la under responsl,
blllty."
