New-York tribune., 1906-09-27
CHARLES z. HUGHES.


Charles Evans Hughes is one OF the VINO
do things quietly. Up 10 two or three years ago
he was SO busy doing things that he did not have
the time, II he had had the inclination. 70
make himself known TO the general public. For
this reason. when he took up such work as prod
ding the gas companies and twisting his scalpel
around the tenderest nerves OF insurance officials
he was hailed new star But he had been
shining just as brightly befoIe he did those
things The other had been making more
noise; that was all
Without seeking recognition. Mr.. Hughes became
a national character almost in hour. His great
est work. the insurance investigation. was forced
upon him Doubling his ability. his friends
say. he took up the work. and it was found that
he great his task Then the public
learned that the lawyer who had been doing his
work without asking the world TO admire him for
doing it, who had been playing the game for its
own sake. was a man OF great ability, Of concen-
tration Of purpose, Of wide education and OF deep
culture.
In an interview given Just before ne took up the
insurance investigation Mr.. Hughes explained his
views OF mans part in the world. In the course
OF his remarks he paused 10 say:
There Is a pleasure in achievement there is an
inspiration in work. and work well done will make
man contented with his lot l believe in work
is the worries ana the dssipations that cause men
10 break down; work alone will not do II, except
in rare cases.
Mr.. Hughes acts as he breaches He was gradu-
ated from Brown University when he was only
nineteen years old. although he had suffered for
years under the handicap Of poor health AS soon
as he left college ne began TO teach Greek and
mathematics up in Delaware County. going later 10
the Columbia Law School, where he had won
small scholarship. There he displayed his true
calibre. for while keeping well the head of his
classes he taught for three years in night school
attached the college. had private classes of law
students the remaining nights OF the week and
at the same time active law clerk in the
Offices Of Chamberlain. Carter 81 Hornbower.
Two years after his graduation found him teach
ing law at Cornell He always explains. half
apoogeticaly when speaking OF this part Of his
career that his years hard labor IN school
and college had undermined his health and he had
take q brief rest.
The oIietness OIL academic life soon paIled on
him. and he left his chair at Cornell 10 engage in
active practice with the late Walter s Clark.
OF Brooklyn. his father-in-law- Soon after return
ing 10 active practice-ths was in 1seS-Mr. Hughes
was sent TO Oregon the representative OF the
bondholders Of unsuccessful railroad company.
It took him months 10 straighten affairs out
and then he returned 20 this city. becoming the
court member of the new firm OF Carter. Hughes &
Dwight.
When Mr. Hughes took up the investigation OF
the Gas Trust the general public had to be told
who and what he was When the work OF the
stevens committee was and the first real
steps toward cheaper gas had become assured facts.
the public had "a good idea OF what kind OF a man
had been chosen for the task although IL took the
insurance investigation to make his name literally
a household word. But Mr. Hughes had done much
work before the gas invests CATION moved the spot
light in his direction.
Som cf the big legal fights in which ne sp-
cared are than worthy OF notice. Among
these f. cases was the fight OF the New York.
West. ester & Boston Railroad Company 20 get
f-,.u, .-e from Board Of Aldermen in which
70 rp erred against the comrany's rival the New
YORK A. Port Chester Railroad Company He was
also s7uusel for the assignee OF John z. Searles,
the sugar man Who failed he supported ex-Sherifr
p~isonu1ert for civil action: he counsel for
th, Mercantile Trust Company al the time OF the
Shipbuillirg Trust scandal and was one Of the
-ourscl for James ". Alexander In the frst part
of TIE nrht 10 Dust James Il. Hyde from the con
troll Of the Equitable Life Assurance Society.
His Fart in the searching investigation OF the
insurance business and the iniquities which he dis
closed still a matter Of contemooraneous news
All unsought his work in that Investigation
brought aim the nomination by the Republicans
fr NJ ycr Of this city last year. Mr.. Hughes had
made absolutely EFFORT 20 get the nomination
aud Senator kisoerg vas half way through his
speech nominating MI Hughes before the cOnven-
uo1 knew who vas being proposed Then in a
tuuaul5 of enthusiasm ne was nominated by
ing that his insurance work was perhaps still
Erishee ,tscnnei TIE nomination. which was then
So far rs purely statistical information goes. the
,ecord Of Mr.. Hughes Is bref for despite the years
was David G.. Hughes, clergyman Mr. Hughes
was born ot Glcns Falls, y Y, in 1862 He was
graduated from Brown In 1881 and four years
later from ne Columbia Law School
lie Hlarried in Brooklyn in December 1ssS. Miss
AntometJe carter He has two daughters ana one
son. VINO il about seventeen years old He be-
longs 70 the University. LAWYERS. Republican:
partner OF the arm Of Hughes Rounds & schur-
man. No so broadway. he lives at No 90 west
End avenue.
NJ. LINN BRUCE.
Lieutenant Governor Matthew Linn Bruce was