New-York tribune., 1907-11-21
CHEERS GREET HUGHES
SPEAKS At CIVIC FORUM.
Justice Bre10er Says President Plays
Hide and Seek" pith People.

Inc NlNlC FOrun, a new lyCeuHl TOT tile us
cussion of national and international topics.
which was formed the result of movement
begun at the time of the peace congress here
last spring. held its first meeting last night, ad-
| dresses being made by Governor Hughes and
Justice David J Brewer OF the Supreme Court
of the United States
Justice Brewer referred several times TO Pres
ident Roosevelt and Governor Hughes in the
course of his speech, once comparing them in
their characteristics He said both men were
rulers in every sense of the term.
OF the President he said he may be inn
pulsive. enthusiastic. strenuous. exhibiting a
dramatic and spectacular life" OF Governor
Hughes he said. "he is calm and lf-poised in
administration"
The speaker said that he one of many
who thought It mistake that the original plan
of the Constitution which provided for a seven
year Presidential term. without eligibility of
succession. had been changed. In that case. he
said there would not be the spectacle of "our
strenuous President playing hide and-see with
the American people"
The justice took slap at his colleagues
on the Supreme Court bench for their decision
in the insular cases. when he said: Even the
Chinese and the Japanese may learn that in
America we know the meaning of The Father
hood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. the
Supreme Court 10 the contrary nOtwithstand-
ing"
Governor Hughes spoke on the ideal of public
Office. He said that the great need in American
life was a thorough grasp of the idea that public
Office was a public trust. dwelling on the idea
of the trusteeship of the offceholder. There
was great applause when the Governor said that
vigilant citizenship began at home, and his
planation of the method to be pursued TO bring
nfir Nybp bad "a tO
trust to justice was followed closely.
The Governor said his remarks were not in
tended to be disputatious, because there could
in the nature of things be no dispute to the
matters in which he was most interested His
words were constantly punctuated by applause
and he was obliged to stop several times before
he could make himself heard over the cheers.
Governor Hughes was greeted with tremen-
dous applause when he introduced by E.
r. l.. Gould formerly city Chamberlain. Cheers
mingled with the clappng, and the audience
which at this time filled the great auditorium,
rose as he advanced to speak. The Governor
said:
1t is unfortunate that public discussion is so
temptations of popular agitation and BY the eXi-
GencieS Of heated political c4mpagns am Sc II u is de
in sober discussion where only truth Is sought
large re type type and damng headlines Their mood
reflected by the Shrieking appeals OF orators
thoughtful and canny people. truth loving and de
reason are more cogent than many think and
nothing is more encouraging than the indications
everywhere of intense desire To secure aCcu-
rate information and to form correct opinions. 1t
of opinion and the debate of public questions are
constantly multiplyng ana GonETatuiats fT b TINS
by the new lyCeum which is now opened
ductory remarks~which will be far from disputa-
tous, for the principles in the application of which
fnfn este q nj Ions
that they admit of no dispute should say some
nhS MahsW Ss%rq AP5oid tells US conduct is three
f6urths of life Certainly the ADMINISTRATION OF
And If we could secure the administration OF every
ouate fuihiment of the fair intent of the consti-
tuition and statutes creating IT, we should find al
i'm our system of government would appear re-
Tag@ n no excuse for the use of egsave drugs 70
cure defects caused by lack Of administrative ex
as existed would stand out in such bold relief as
TO leave little room for doubt as to the neces-
But it is to be expected that the frailties of
rather more in our political reIatlons-in view OF
than in other activities in which they are made so
familiar. We are only men, and nothing human is
steadied by responsibility and safeguarded by
by some worthy tradition or inspired by some
m Sb c @ resc the N e1erar hS Srdn fi
We must. therefore constantly emphasize Off
democratic ideal of office. We suffer to no slight
extent from the survivals of notions of office which
entirely foreign 10 our governmental system
For example. there continually persists the notion
of power drawn from ancient despotism, convert
ing in a small way. and as opportunity may offer.
the servants of the people with defined duties into
their would-be masters. acting with rbitFary dis
regard of obligation. More common. however. is
the feudal notion of allegiance to some chance
lord or sub-lord by whose grace the office is be
lieye6 and frequently truly believed. TO be held.
From this point of view the people are recog-
nized only to the extent necessary TO capture the
requisite majority of votes. But for all other
poses the conduct of office is determined by the
viii of Individual group Of individuals
10 whom the incumbent owes his temporary dis
tinCtion.
Rut most mschievous of all. perhaps. is the idea
derived from the American love of achievement