Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-10
Preferred Nomination as
Mayor Of New York
Because Insurance Investiga-
t|on Demands His Energies.
Thinks Motives Would Be Questioned and
Results Lost Should He Accept.

New York. oct. 9.-Charles f.
Hughes. counsel for the insurance in
yestigating committee, today. declared
,b. Republican nomination for mayor
@. Now York city.
In stating his grounds for refusing
The nomination. which was rendered to
him hy tn. unanimous vote of the city
Republican convention, last Friday
light. Nj Hughes said:
In this dilemma have simply to
DO nav duty us | see il.
~ NV iudgm' ut. have no right to
acc,r, IN" nomination. y paramount
rubl, duty fnrhidc It.
III is uut necessary "a enlarge up
en- The Importance Of the insurance in
vrstigati"u. This is undisputcd 1t is
dealing with questions vital To the IN
tcrcst to tho millions Of our fellow
,itiz'ns through the land. 1t presents
nn opportunity for public service sec
uud - non" ana Involves corrclative
responsibility. This work commands
ull my energies. II Is imperative that
/ cnntiuu" III it. You have frankly
recognized that IL must continue un-
embarrassed aud with unimpaircd eff
cheney. Hut II Is entirely clear to me
that this cannot bc if | accept the
nomination.
Yen know how DESTROYS have been
that the Investigation should not be-
rpl"r'd by any suggestion Of political
motive Whatever confidence il has in
spircd has been due To absolute indie
pcndcnCc Of political consideration. 1t
II not sufficient To say that IN accept
an"e Of this nomination. coming to me
uus"ught would not defect my course
by a hairs breadth and that | should
remain entirely untrammclcd. The nom
political character OF the investigation
and its freedom from bias, either of
far or favor not only must exist, they
must b" recognized. | cannot permit
them by any action of mine, to become
matters uf debate.
There are abundant opportunities
for demonstration. Doubtless many
abuses will remain undisCloscd many
gricvuus wrongs to which the evidence
points from time to time may be found
uu.uerrrtihi" Of proof: many clues viii
H. taken ~ III vain. Were | with tn"
hrst IL iut,UtiunS to accept the nominal
ton it Is my convection that tn" work
~ M" Investigation would be largely
discr,ditcd: its motives would be i'm
puEn'd a,ud its integrity assailcd. To
many II would appCur that it, course
would ~ shaped ana its lines of in
uuirl would bc chosen. developed or
ahnnlmrd as political ambition might
Prompt ~ political cXiEcncy demand.
"Surh a situation would he intolcra-
hlc There Is but one course open. Tho
legislative inquiry must proceed with
convincing diSiut'rcStcdncSS. It's great
opportunities; must not bc imp"rillcd by
alternating IN" support to which II Is
outlined ~ ~ giving the slightest "r-
CnHiuu for pucs tiouiuE the sincerity and
single 'niud,IUcSs with which il is con-
Quoted.
For your expression ON coutidcnc" !
thank vnu tn" honor You would confer
uIcn ~, / most highly esteem. Your gen
,r"us approval and the uu.iulmity and IN
fhuVt-m with winch thu uumInitl"I W.T.
mad' warmly appreciate" Hut ! t'N
utsUm"d obligations - the hrst imi"r
tinc" which make II tnl"SSlhi'' Tor mo L"
meet Your wishes. | must therefor, re
sIrrtiuliy d'ohn" IL" nomination,
Il Nns learned at thu Republic ~ club,
tonight from 4 member ~ III" np'IiIct-
ttui rummittcc that when Richard Young
d,Cliu"d III" nomination Tor the ComptrOl
Icrship hc wt~ offered thu nominrtlnn Tor
the mayorIlty and that h" declined that
too. II was also stated that tn" nominal
ton had been offered To- Senators ElSbcrG
end rag, and that both had declined TN
honor. Chlirmau Ilalpin was. tonight
s.ud to IL, In Newhurg consulting with
Former Governor Odcll
Richard Young. nominee for COmptrol-
lcr. also refused the nomination. lie said:
II appreciate very highly III" honor con-
fcrrrd urou me by the Republican party
Of this city in nominating me for the
office 81 comptroller. | also appreciate its
oppression Of esteem and confidence of my
friends and fellow citizens in me as indi-
Gated hv the numerous letters and the
messages which have received. and | re
Erct very much that cannot see my way
clear To accept the nomination.
Asked whether he would accept the
nomination for mayor Mr.. Young said
that he would accept no office.