New-York tribune., 1906-09-06
HUGHES GAVE NO WORD
RETURNS HOME SILENT.
Refuses to Discuss Politics or Can
didates an State Situation.

terday. He came back. he said. without any de-
sire even inclination. 20 enter active politics
as the Republican nominee for Governor in
any other capacity. At the same time. he said.
he had the firm conviction that it'wOuId be most
indecorous of him TO away crown that
had not been offered to him. He declared that
not only had he given assurance to any one
that he would take the nomination for Governor
under any circumstances. but that he had not
even been approached on the subject by any re-
sponsible persons
Inasmuch as his name has figured 30 largely
in the possibilities for the nomination. espe-
cially the part OF the OdeII-Quigg faction,
which brought up his name in opposition to Gov
ernOr Higgins il thought that Mr.. Hughes
might his return issue some sort of state
ment explaining his attitude toward the situa-
tion. After adroitly evading all efforts to draw
him out his feelings I'm the matter. and re-
fusing TO give direct answer TO any political
question, Mr.. Hughes last night summed up his
reasons for taking that attitude. as follows:
There is no situation at present that am
aware Of which makes IL incumbent upon me 10
say anything in regard to political matters and
I have recently returned that / am not suf1-
Ciently informed to discuss politics.
Mr. Hughes said that he had not received any
political callers during the day. and did not ex-
pect to receive any. AS to whether he would be
| approached to-day on the subject he replied;
| We'll, my office is open. and I shall probably be
working here. 1 cannot prevent any one coming
to see me-"
| ODELL DOES NOT EXPECT To SEE HIM.
| When EX-GOVERNOR Odeu. who was in town.
| was asked II he had seen or would see Mr..
Hughes he became snappy, and replied: "No.
l do not expect 10 see Mr.. Hughes"
ETrfC
brought out as a possible nominee for Governor
on account Of the work he did in the insurance
investigation and prior to that in the gas in
vestigation, say that his personal inclinations
| are all strongly set against becoming political
| candidate at this time. They admit the pos
sibility. however. that ne might feel some re-
| luctance to refuse nomination for Governor
of the Empire State If 1t should be unanimously
offered. They are sure he will never do or say
anything that might seem TO give the impression
| that he desired the nomination
There were no politicians to meet Mr. Hughes
| as the Carona, of the Cunard Line was warped
into her dock at $50 yesterday morning George
| W. Schurman. his law partner and ex-Assistant
! District Attorney, went down the bay the
| revenue cutter to greet Mr. Hughes and warn
him Of the impending ordeal with the newspaper
men. when the reporters finally began 20 ply
the most cleverIy worded query. In response 10
the opening question which was: "wilI YOU ac-
cept the nomination for Governor. il you should
be nominated by the next Republican conven-
tiOn?" Mr.. Hughes said that he mad decided not
To say anything political subjects. He was
told that it had been given out by the Odell-
Quigg faction that they had assurances that
Mr.. Hughes would accept such a nomination.
Mr.. Hughes replied
Il have not assured anybody that I would or
would not accept the nomination. have I
been asked 10 give any assurances that I would
become candidat tie for Governor"
Have you been asked while in Europe
whether or not you would accept nomination? -
While on the other side I received no COM
munications whatever from politicians"
one Of the reporters told Mr.. Hughes that cer-
tain Republicans had spread the idea that Presi-
dent Roosevelt would like to see him the candi-
date for Governor. Even this did not draw him
out and his only answer was: 1T is all news
TO me-" He said he knew nothing about a story
that he would issue statement in favor of
Senator F. q. stevens for the nomination.
Several questions regarding the political sit
uaton in the state were answered by Mr..
Hughes with. That is politics"
SILENT ON BRYAN's IDEA
something about the issue raised by Bryan for
government ownership of railroads He replied:
Every one is more or less interested in the
! subject but I would not care TO express my
opinion Of il at present. Although I did visit
/ Glasgow and Edinburgh I have nothing 20 say
/ about the success of municipal ownership Of
street railways. 7 took no interest in anything
that did not interest my son or give me pleas
/ ure."
| Mr Hughes said he would take up at once his
| work as associate counsel 70 the United States
| Attorney General in connection with the inquiry
| into the violation of the interstate commerce
laws. The work. he said. had progressed salts
factory.
The attention Of Mr.. Hughes was called 10
charges that the Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany was engaged in rebating in Texas.
Human nature has not changed much,' he
said but rebating Is an evil i'm the life insur-
ance business that I think will gradually de-
crease and finally disappear
/ lie was told of Bishop McCabe's Endorsement
of the present managements OF the two big NUT
! ual companies
Il would not care to enter into any detailed
/ discussion Of the present conditions OF life in
/ surauce companies" ne said. II have always
taken the ground that having done what could
| 20 have new laws passed to regulate the COM
/ panies I should refrain from discussing their
/ application until they have had time 10 become
| ctfeCtual"
Mr. Hughes returned fror, Europe vita
/ Charles r. Hughes. jr-. his nineteen -ycar-old
I son. Both looked tanned and rugged. as il they
/ had been on. much in the open air
We motored in Wales. wheeled in Scotland
and walked IN Switzerland. and had most en-
/ ioyable holiday" said the insurance investigator
/ but I am glad to get home again and back 20
i my work"
Mr. Hughes spent the evening az his home
When he asked there IL he had had any
political callers since he left his Office. he said