"
Mr. Foster's first employment had very awkward consequences.
The people in Worcester had the old Puritanic dislike to theatrical
entertainments, and had always refused to license such exhibitions.
But a company of actors desired to obtain a theatre for the
season and give performances in Worcester. There was a great
opposition, and the city government ordered a public hearing
of the petition in the old City Hall. Foster was employed
by the petitioners. The hall was crowded with citizens interested
in the matter, and the Mayor and Aldermen sat in state on
the platform. When the hearing was opened, the audience were
struck with astonishment by the coming forward of Dwight Foster's
father, the Hon. Alfred D. Foster, a highly honored citizen
of great influence and ability. He had been in the State
Senate and had held some few political offices, but had disliked
such service and had never practised law, having a considerable
property which he had inherited from his father, the former
United States Senator. He made a most eloquent and powerful
appeal to the aldermen to refuse the petition, in the name
of morality and good order.
Pages:
1449
1450
1451
1452
1453
1454
1455
1456
1457
1458
1459
1460
1461
1462
1463
1464
1465
1466
1467
1468
1469
1470
1471
1472
1473