Born in Pennsylvania and educated at Dartmouth , he settled in Massachusetts , where he entered local politics on a progressive reform agenda . Elected to Congress , he continued his reform activities , and opposed annexation of The Philippines . He did not join the Progressive Party , but was insufficiently conservative for state party leaders , who denied him election to the United States Senate on two occasions . As governor , he directed the state 's actions during World War I , and orchestrated early aid to Halifax , Nova Scotia following a devastating munitions ship explosion there in 1917
devastating munitions ship explosion
Halifax Explosion
Samuel W. McCall