I became a son-in-law in the United States

Chapter 104 Public Opinion Escalates Again

Once the decision was made, old Joseph quickly took action.

The message was sent out through Joseph Sr.'s campaign team and appeared in major Boston newspapers early in the morning.

When the Kennedys' daughter was about to take the stage, the entire city of Boston fell silent for a few seconds.

This wouldn't be anything new in later generations, but in 20s America, it was definitely big news.

It is already unusual for a Puritan country to require women to stand up and give speeches to garner votes.

At the Boston Country Club, the gentlemen were dismissive or simply scoffed.

"There's no other way, so they've pushed a woman out to take the fall. Well, that's fine. If they lose, they can just say the woman is no good, at least it's not their fault."

In a corner, several Harvard alumni were chatting animatedly, exchanging glances as they spoke. Sitting in the very center was Lawrence Lowell.

He paused, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt: "Making a woman appear in public, don't they think the Irish are shameful enough?"

Several gentlemen nearby shook their heads, appearing unfazed by the sight.

Some people glanced at the news, a slight smile playing on their lips, before quickly regaining their composure.

"Old Joseph must be desperate," another voice said. It was Lowell's campaign chief of staff. He smiled, put down his cigar, and said...

"Women, children, and dogs—these are the kinds of things politicians usually bring out when they're out of ideas. Just ignore them."

In the corner, another judge from the Lowell family put down his newspaper. He didn't have any particular opinion, just a lot of curiosity.

"I heard she was Wellesley's student; I'm quite curious to see what she has to say."

Of course, for most WASPs, hearing that old Joseph was going to promote his daughter would elicit disdain or even ridicule. However, most middle-class people are different; they are more curious.

"What! Kennedy's daughter is going to speak at City Hall?"

At the dinner table of an ordinary middle-class family in Dorchester, the husband was surprised when his wife handed him the day's newspaper.

He's a clerk for the city government, with a little power, and earns two hundred dollars a month. He just bought a townhouse on Seventh Street and is trying to widen the gap between himself and his poor relatives.

The male homeowner clearly did not approve of old Joseph's actions.

"How could a young woman give a speech in public?"

He frowned, a hint of disapproval in his voice. "I think old Joseph is obsessed with becoming a senator. He's leaving this kind of work to women while he hides in the back?"

He didn't care about what he said, but his wife, who was standing nearby, was unhappy about it.

"John! You'd better explain yourself. Why can't we women speak?"

"Do you even know anything about politics? Don't cause trouble."

"Women have rights too! Don't forget, we can vote too!"

"Okay, okay, you win."

The woman didn't say anything, but picked up the flyer from the table, carefully folded it, and put it in her apron pocket.

She thought she should still go and see, because the other person was also a woman.

....................

Inside a dockside bar in East Boston.

This is a place where workers often come to drink, mostly Irish people. Although the workers don't read newspapers much, some news travels faster than reporters.

Many workers had only heard that old Joseph had a beautiful daughter and that he had a grand wedding, but they had never had the chance to see her.

Who would have thought that just a few months later, this newlywed daughter, instead of staying home to take care of her husband and children, would be out campaigning for her father?

Most of the workers were curious and wanted to see what Old-school Trick's granddaughter would say.

"In this world, women are being pushed forward, God..."

At that moment, a man dressed in black stood up, and the entire bar fell silent instantly.

How could the workers not recognize that face and that outfit? It was none other than Enrique, one of Lomasny's men.

"Everyone come to City Hall at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Miss Kennedy is giving a speech," Enrique relayed the boss's message.

Upon hearing this news, some workers were slightly taken aback and almost didn't react.

"A woman?" someone immediately realized. "How could it be a woman? What could a woman say? How to iron clothes? How to make men feel good?"

Upon hearing this, the people nearby could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

Enrique glanced at him and quickly stopped laughing, because the man in front of him was indeed not someone to be trifled with.

"This is Mr. Lomasny's idea, you understand? Anyway, we're going to City Hall tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, the workers exchanged glances, but no one said anything more.

"Let's go listen to it tomorrow, there's not much work to do lately anyway," someone suggested.

...................

Of course, the one with the greatest impact was Wellesley College.

As soon as the news spread, the entire Wellesley College was in an uproar, with female students discussing it extensively, and Gia becoming the hottest topic of the moment.

"What! Jia is going to give a campaign speech for her father?"

"This isn't appropriate. Giving speeches is something men do; she's a lady!"

"Come on, it's all because old Joseph is about to lose, so he's pushing his daughter out. If he really loses, he'll just say his daughter didn't perform well or something."

"Honestly, I hate Irish people, but they shouldn't be running for parliament. I think they'd be better off going back to working on the docks."

"So what if it's Jia? The outcome is already decided this time, and it won't matter who comes."

"The Kennedy family is finished now; they actually pushed a woman into this mess."

Soon, these rumors spread to even more distant places, with people chattering about them in classrooms, lectures, and even dormitories.

"This is inappropriate. How can a Wellesley student do such a thing?" Margaret leaned against the door frame, her arms crossed and her chin slightly raised.

Her father was also a member of Congress, but he didn't think much of the Kennedy family.

Over the years, old Joseph has practically had the word "scheming" written all over his face.

"Why not?" asked another female classmate standing in front of her. Her voice wasn't loud, but her words were clear. "It's all legal."

Upon hearing this, Margarita smiled and said to the student in front of her, "Of course it's not illegal, it's just not very respectable, you know what I mean."

Meanwhile, Winchester also received the news and smiled dismissively.

As one of Boston's largest arms manufacturing families, the Winchester family and Lowell had long been linked by marriage, with both sides bound together and sharing weal and woe.

Previously, Gia had caused Mrs. Lowell to suffer a loss at the literary salon, and Luther had caused the Lowell father and son to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, so she naturally had to stand up for them.

Clearly, her methods were very successful; Gia has almost dropped out of school.

But to her surprise, she stood up again and was going to give a speech.

"That little Irish bitch...."