Orville Hungerford (SH90) was a two-term United States Representative for the 19th District in New York. He was also a prominent merchant, banker, industrialist, Mason and railroad president in Watertown, New York. This speech was an important moment in his life. He was offered the position of Vice President if he would relax his position on tariffs on imported goods. He did not compromise his beliefs which created enemies from the southern states within his party.