The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-23
HUGHES FOR STATE REFORMS.
WILL PROBE DEPARTMENTS AND
ACT FEARLESSLY.
Republican Candidate Speaks at Two
ROusins Meetings in Kingston PROM
Uses Full Investigation N Every
state Department -TO-day's Meetings.

state Department -TO-day's Meetings.
KINGSTON, N. Y, Oct. 22.-Charles E.
Hughes began his third upstate our with
two speeches before enthusiastic audiences
here tonight. In the Y. NJ. c. A. hall he
addressed 1000 people, mostly working
men, and at the opera house he was greeted
by a gathering of 800. The latter place
was iammed, every available inch Of space.
even the window stills, being taken.
Hundreds we're packed into narrow quar-
ters behind the scenes like so many figs in
a box, and the candidate when he entered
practically had TO dig his way TO the front
IL the platform. His hat was crushed by
the mob and his coat nearly torn out OF his
arms. Mr.. Hughes was struggling around
on the sta ge for several seconds before the
crowd realized that he was in the hall
Then he was greeted with a whoOp hat
could be heard a quarter Of a mile away.
There we're almost as many Democrats as
Republicans at the rallies. Every reference
by the candidate to the credit due to Demo-
gratis who had participated IN the legislative
reforms the last year brought out a tre-
nendous round Of applause, and his declara-
tion that this is no partisan campaign was
received with an equal display OF en-
thusiasm.
Several Democrats sat on the platform at
che opera house. One Of thew was Everett
Fowler, former chairman Of the Democratic
county committee. Mr.. Hughes in both
speeches defined what will be his attitude
If elected toward the administration of the
State departments and commissions. He
had indica ted what he would do in reference
TO the departments earlier in the campaign
but not so fully or so f~orcefully as he did
tonight.
Mr.. Hearst criticised the Republican
candidate on the point. declaring Mr..
Hughes IL not willing TO make definite
pledges or promises and that he is attempt
ing to divert public attention from the real
issues TO Hearst corporate activities.
Mr.. Hughes left no room for doubt to-
night as TO how he stands. He declared
that he would have an investigation Of the
State Banking Department, and that when
the facts were ascertained ne would act
fearleesly but justly. he would see to it
that the Insurance Department was run as
the polcyholdrs want it run n in the
interest Of the men who pay premiums.
He promised that the Railroad Commits
sion, the Gas Commission and the Depart
ment of Labor will he conducted justly
in the interest Of all the people or he will
know why, and those who are responsible
will pay the penalty.
Here is Mr.. Hughes's Y. NJ. c. A. hall
speech in part:
! nave been recently in receipt Of many
communications asking me what / propose
TO do in regard to certain departments
and work in commissions. I had supposed
that I had made my. position known in
unmistakable ways. | had supposed |
had stated without any possibility Of mis-
understanding what I propose to do. I had
repeatedly stated that no departmental
action, so far as l could prevent it, should
be taken with reference to any interest
except the public welfare. l have stated
that I desired to have made an examination
of matters in the departments that / should
ascertain whether there was any wrong
doing, and fix the responsibility for it, no
matter who stood in the wa When / say
that, I mean it, Applause.
We have for example the banking de-
partment. If / am elected Governor / pro-
pose, as I have said, TO have an examination
of nv own. and when the facts are ascer-
tanned in a responsible way, ! propose to
deal with them justly and fearlessly, with
out malice toward any one, and solely in
the interest Of the peorle. Applause.
We have an insurance department charged
with great responsibilities in connection
with a business which comes home to
almost every one of us. The Insurance
Department under the recent legislation
has been charged with greater RESPONSE
bilities than ever. I may pause here to say
that the efforts to minimize the results OF
the insurance investigation, or the benefits
derived from the legislation enacted in pur-
suanoe Of the recommendations OF the in
surance committee, canno be successful
as long as the people n the State Of New
York have memories. Applause.
Now / propose that to the extent that in
me lies the Insurance Department shall be
conducted for the purpose Of making
of the p~olicyholders. Applause. II any
amendment is required for their further
protection, If II appears that there is any
part of the law which should he strengthened
Or in regard to which something should be
done to make effective governn. entail super
vision and control Of that important business
Ia the interest Of the p~olicyholders, then
] am for that amendment and for that
Strengthening.
In other words We nave not gone through
the pain and travail of an insurance in
vestiRation to fiTd that we have as a result
a return TO the conditions which We have
deplored. We shall have the Insurance
Department managed as the ~pollcyholders
OF the State want and have a night to have
IL managed. lApplause,
We rave a railroad commission which IN
vested with important powers OF regula-
ton and supervision Of our great ~transporta-
ton companies. IL IA my desire, n 80
far as in me lies it will he my aim, TO see
TO il thai the commission executes the
powers intrlsted TO il by the law and per-
forms the duties imposed upon It, - hat
governmental regulation and control, in
the Just interest of all parties concerned
may be had in this State. Applause
In other words. we want the law executed
a. IL Is and we want whatever amendment
Of the law is necessary to give the people
whatever supervision and control may be
had TO see to it that the public service cor
poratione are public servants and that they
do what they are bound TO do in accordance
with their charters and in consideration
of the privileges which they v received
Applause.l
We lave a Gas Commission recently pro-
vided under which an opportunity is given
for the regulation Of charges for the supply
ing Of gas and electricity in the various COM
munities OF the State. To avoid the issuing
OF securities without a proper basis Of value
the commission has been given the right 10
prohibit such issues by the requirement thai
every such issue should have their approval
It Is a very important step on the part OF
the State when it undertakes the regulation
Of n important public service. u is vita
10 the interests of the people that that
great power should be exercised fairly
-. "a -LAHII 10 nvaHniaaI faa rlaaaIw