Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-01

The full text OF his speech would
OCCUPY half a dozen columns or more
III the Journal, but we give here a
brief summary Of the principal things
he dwelt upon-enough to show where
he stands. Governor Hughes has been
for 20 years a member Of the loyal
and earnest Republican Club which he
addressed last night and in opening
his speech he dwelt at length upon the
grand record of the Republican party
as the party of stability and progress.
ter.nined the course Of our national
history for the past half century.
Early in his speech Governor Hughes
made it plain that he is by no means
anti-ROOsevelt, as some of his sup
porters have supposed. On the CONTRA
ry he dwelt with emphasis upon the
obligation that the country owes the
President for his vigorous opposition
to apuses and for the strong impulse
he has given to movements for their
correction. Said Governor Hughes:
I'VE shall have in the next campaign
notable vantage ground. gained
through the general admiration of his
Strong personality and the popular
appreciation of the intensity Of his
desire to promote the righteous con-
duct OF affairs and the welfare of his
fellow men"
Before coming down to the partic-
ular questions involved in the coming
campaign Governor Hughes made
plain his attitude upon certain funda-
mental principles. He declared Social
ism to be absolutely un-American.
since our government is based upon
the principles of individualism. Such
matters as the purity of elections. the
fidelity to principle Of public officials.
the i,npartiaiity of justice. the respect
for the rights Of property. the protec-
ton Of the many against the encroach-
ments OF the few. the maintenance of
the division OF powers between federal
and state sovernments-all these
things we're discussed in the broad and
temperate spirit always characteristic
of the New York executive.
Having done this. Governor Hughes
comes down to the more immediate
ard specific political issues of the
day. He makes it plain to any who
may nave doubted it that he is an out
and tout Republican and nothing of
the Independent. 81 believe in party
government to enforce and apply par
~ principle he says. II believe in
the responsibility of party admins
tration i'll accordance with the poll
cics announced in the party platform"
He stands with President Roosevelt in
and the protection of our public lands
he believes, not in governmental
ownership Of railroads. as Bryan does
but i'll the rate bill which gives the
government greater authority over in
terStnte commerce. He especially de-
sires the enactment of 4 law to apply
exclusively to interstate commerce
which would embody the principles Of
tie employers liability bill recently
declared unconstitutional because too
broad. 1t was in advocacy Of just such
bill as this that President Roosevelt
sent long special message to Con-
gress yesterday. Governor Hughes
wants the antitrust law to be made
stronger and more effective by being
made more definite. and he wants i'm
prisonment instead of fines as the
Punishment for those corporation mag
mates who persist in breaking the
laws. Governor Hughes makes it plain
that he believes in protective tar
if and declares that protection is an
established policy which our country
will not abandon. He stands for laws
whic:, will safeguard the interests OF
labor and improve the conditions OF
labor as far as possible. He favors the
ultimate independence of the Philip
pines and in the meantime the carry.
ing on of the present work of educa-
ton and training there. He believes
in the maintenance Of an efficient army
and navy.
In all these matters he makes it
plain that his policies are those Of
hte Republican administration under
which this country has reached an un.
precedented degree of prosperity at
home and prestige abroad. In closing
Governor Hughes declared that he
asks no favors and makes no claim.
He only desires that the party shall
act for its best interests in making
tie Presidential nomination. and that
above all it shall remain united and
do nothing to endanger its success in
New York or in the Union as whole.
Bath and Augusta Bonds.