The Washington herald., 1908-03-11
HUGHES GIVES VIEWS
Outlines Ideas of Policies in
Boston Speech.
TALKS TO DRY GOODS MEN
Declares Corporations should He
Curbed, but that There Is No Neces-
sity for Frightening the Public.
Character OF OmciaIs Has Much TO
DO with Enforcement of Laws.

Boston, March 1O.-Gov. Hughes. Of New
York, spent the afternoon and evening
in Boston. speaking first before the New
England Dry Goods Association, in Ire
mont Temple, where there were about
500 men gathered together.
Their he went to Young's Hotel. where
he addressed, briefly. the members OF
the Delta Epsilon Society. Of which he
became a member while a student at
Brown University going thence 10 the
American House, where some $50 grad
yates OF Brown gave him an uproarious
welcome. The governor talked on na-
tional issues from a business standpoint
TO the dry goods men
The most notable feature of tho ,o,,-
ernors visit to Boston was the great
demonstration accorded him all the way
I'D fremont street from the Hotel Tou-
ram 70 fremont Temple. A crowd
gathered about the hotel shortly before
clock and when the governor stepped
INTO an automobile half an hour later.
ne was given some rousing cheers.
GOV. Hughes called on Gov Guild. who
Is confined to his home with the grip.
Gov. Hughes Speech.
Gov Hughes said in part:
Good business spells contentment and 2
di1usion Of happiness.
we want no drags upon American in
ouStTy' no obstacles 70 its extension: no
arbitrary governmental interference 10
prevent its growth That American in
dustry may flourish. and that we NAV
enjoy 10 the maximum the blessings
which How from wholesome activity we
must nave peace. order. fair laws. and
honest administration.
fortunately We may assume that we
can have and shall have peace We have
no desire Tor conquest; we cherish no am
bitl0us design and lend ourselves To no
intrigue that menaces the Interests Of
any otner nation. While we secure the
protection OF our coasts. and should main
tam with lust precautiOn the efficiency
OF otr army and navy. we recognize the
fact that an holding 10 our national ideals
We may rest free from attack secure in
the judgment OF the world upon the right
eOusness OF our policies and the honor
aDle aims and methods Of our diplornacv
In dealing with our internal affairs the
PRIME necessity is straightforward inn
partial, and efficient administration we
90 not improve the character of admins
Uauon by increasing its burdens nor do
We change the quality OF our representa-
tlVes by adding to their duties. Every
governmental scheme finds its ultimate
IeSt III me character Of the men who
may be brought 70 its execution.
Depends Upon Character.
Whether powers Of supervision and reg
uiation will be wisely exercised depends.
not upon the words of the statute book
but upon the character OF the supervisors
and regulators; and you must have Z
higher quality Of citizenship in those who
administer the laws tnan in those whose
conduct makes the laws and their admin
lstration necessary.
Ihe supreme test OF our system Is the
insistence and success Of the demand that
public officers shall render disinsterested
service and discharge their obligations 20
the people according to the intent OF the
statutes All other questions are of slight
Importance in comparison with this fun
damental one
The people are tired OF bosslsm: OF the
use OF political machinery 70 place men
IN Office for the purpose Of serving special
interests. OF the use of public preroga-
tyes for private gain. and OF the prosti-
luton OF grants Of power 10 selfish ad-
vantage They recognize the necessity
for political organization and leadersbip
but they would have both organization
and leadership represent principles and
square with the requirements Of public
service. And there viii be no Abatement
in this demand. The people will insist
that the watchwOrds of every department
OF government must be fidelity and ef-
fciency.
Must BE Fair to All
The object Of free government is not 10
confer favOrs or TO impose arbitrary re-
strictions. but to protect equal rights.
And We fail wherever the public right IS
invaded and wherever any special inter-
est obtains an unfair advantage at the
expense Of the people
In dealing with the problems that are
presented the first duty is to know we
are an intelligent people. and our danger
almost always lies in lack Of knowledge
or imperfect understanding Of the facts.
The majority rule. and the majority
must be informed il they would ruIe
wisely. Therefore 4 is OF the first i'm
pOrtance that wherever IL IS found to
be LACKING, machinery should be provided
so that specific grievances NAV be in
Qulred into and matters Of public con-
cern may be decided upon their merits.
FOR example. with regard to railroads II
is not 10 be denied that they are Dublic
enterprises. conducted under public au-
thority. They enjoy their important flInc-
lions, because they have obtained public
privileges and have exercised through
delegation the sovereign right OF eminent
domain. They are subject 70 regulation
and, on account OF Well-hnOwn abuses
the power 10 regulate is being exercised
VIII Not Tolerate Injustice.
The American people will not tolerate
unjust discrimination or improper service.
and they will insist upon demonstrating
that the will OF the people is supreme |
and that the creatures Of the State shall
not dominate its government
But the people are too intelligent not TO
recognize the vast Importance of the de-
ve!opment OF our railroad enterprises of
providing betterments and improved IA
cihties. and the necessity of raising the
necessary money to attain these objects.
They are not unmindful Of our depend
ence upon these artificial highways Of
commerce. and are most anxious that
their efficiency shall be increased to meet
the increasing demands OF trade
That grievances may be settled unfair
determinations avoided, reasonable and
impartial service secured, without com
mitting on the other hand the egregiOus
blunder OF sitting needed enterprise il
Is essential that the facts should be un-
derstoOd. that complaints should be res
cued from fruitlesS agitation. and that
through proper machinery Opportunity |
should be afforded to ascertain the truth !
and TO mete out justice according 70 the !
facts.
The concerns of these great businesses
are too closely related 10 the welfare OF 1
the people IN their thousandfOld activities /
10 permit them to become the subject of !
arbitrary action
Must Have Equal Chances.
And while we are insistent upon res1,- /
lation and the supremacy Of the will of |