New-York tribune., 1906-09-30

avoid making suggestions which were quite OBJ
vious and which might have been construed as a
desire on my part to make capital out OF the
witnesses. Again and again have restrained
my natural incipation to make retorts which 1
think would have been entirely justified. The
witness who gets himself into false position
has only himself 10 blame Every every
where knows that he Will be treated he de-
serves to be treated. that frankness ana courtesy
Will be reciprocated they deserve to be, and
that evasion and insincerity will be held up to
the contempt which they have always Justly re-
ceived." Round after round of applause fol-
lowed this statement. Mr.. McCurdy and his
family learned more about this Hughes
Under the merciless probing Of his Nylic trans
actions George w Perkins while on the witness
stand turned the examiner:
TITS like your fees. Mr. Hughes You couldn't
tell what you have done with those you received
last year" The character Of the Investigator
stood forth as, his face rigid, he replied: You
will please remember. Mr.. Perkins. that I am
not trustee for my fees" The moral fibre
revealed in this apt retorr could be felt through
out the investigating chamber. It turned
searchlight the witness that instantly
vealed him to the slowest mind there as an
unenviabe figure. Mr. Perkins and all in the
room learned what kind of man Mr.. Hughes
United States Senators. ex-Governors, fnan-
ciers of national notoriety, lobbyists politicians,
and finally the public of this state this coun-
try and other countries found out what kind
Of man this man Hughes" with his wonder
full knowledge of insurance finances, his fear
lessness, his keen questions, his aim, his
capacity for work, his integrity, his quietness.
was. Now, within a year and a half after his
discovery. he has been nominated unanimously
for his first political Office. that Of Governor OF
the Empire State. How did it come about? No
one thinks of him q meteor, but all are conf
dent that he is the best man in the state for
the office
It was not by accident for he is founda-
ton builder. Starting from the bedrock Of good
blood-he has Scotch. Welsh Dutch, Irish and
English blood in his veins-good tendencies
birth in minister's family and, in the broad
sense the fear of God, he has built conscien-
tiously, quietly, thoroughly with purpose.
One Of the layers of his foundation was a
high sense of duty TO his fellow men, his coun-
try and himself He is essentially serious When
he in the "Old 80" Grammar School, famous
in this city thirty years ago. at the age of
twelve he is said TO have emulated a classmate
in the seriousness and ponderosity Of subjects
chosen for exposition. His classmate made a
speciality of oratory. Whenever the latter es-
on some elephantine theme. One of his most
notable essays is said to have had for fits theme
that wellnigh lmitless subject, THE Limitation
Of the Human Mind" Another is said TO have
been THE Evils OF Light Literature" Owing
TO the fame OF "Old 3d." the Board OF Educa-
ton in those days used to hire the Academy of
Music for its commencement exercises On the
stage Of this theatre, in the presence of thou
sands Of fond parents friends and schoolmates
when he left the school he read with much sue
cess an essay on "Self-help."
His appreciation Of duty to mankind is illus
trated In his selection Of q profession. He and
his parents early had anticipated that he would
be a clergyman He went to college with this
IN view. Then came a period Of doubt as to
whether that presented the best opportunity for
him to be of practical ~alue TO the world or not
In Brown University there is a spirit that in
clines many Of it's students 10 take up teaching.
He became imbued with the idea of taking up
the pedagogical profession with mathematics
as his speciality. One night toward the end Of
his Junior year he IN a classmates room.
Why don't you take up law?" said the class
mate, as they lounged in their chairs. The sug-
gestion clung. He began 10 think II. At
last he reached the decision that the law pre-
sented the best channel for practical usefulness
IN this world. His mind once made up he fol-
lowed his decision.
1t was manifested again in his acceptance of
the invitation to take up the gas investigation.
He would accept the offer only when he found
that It was TO be sincere and thorough investi-
cation. Then. seeing the opportunity to make
himself of public value. he undertook the task.
II was the same spirit that inspired him TO
enter into the tedious insurance investigation
This is part Of what he said when a delega-
tion waited upon him 20 persuade him to accept
the nomination for Mayor of the city while the
investigation still going on:
In this dilemma ! have simply to do my
duty as / see II. In my judgment, / have no
right 10 accept the nomination paramount
public duty forbids II. II IS not necessary 10
enlarge upon the importance OF the insurance
investigation. That is undisputed It is dealing
with questions vital to the interests of millions
Of our fellow citizens throughout the land. It
presents an opportunity for public service sec
ond to none. and involves a correlative respon-
sibility. / have devoted myself unreservedly to
this work. II commands all my energies. It is
imperative that must continue unembarTassed
and with unimpaired efficiency But II is en-
tirely clear TO me that this cannot be If I accept
the nomination"
In his acceptance of the nomination for Gov
ernor undoubtedly the OF oppor-
tunity and obedience to duty guided him. One
sentence or the brief but undoubtedly carefully
prepared telegram OF acceptance when viewed
IN the light OF his past motives is interesting
and gives added strength TO his candidacy:
Il shall accept the nomination" said he
Wlthout pleoge other than TO do my duty ac-
cording 10 my conscience"
His idea of the call this duty is enunciated
in another sentence. It is: TO defend The
honor Of the state and to represent the common
sense of the people and the cause of decent gov
ernment."
The deep sense Of responsibility to hfs CON
science. however has not narrowed him In any
way. While he does not talk of his reIietous
views, they are broadminded and indenendsn,
Seeing an opportunity TO help young men urho
had definite social and religious Anita a,tonS
in the city, he organized the Bible class which
has become so well known under the leaderehIT
Of John d Rockefeller. 1r 'F
Capacity for work IS another oF hts Io,,,a.
tion piers. pet theory Of his Is that work