New-York tribune., 1910-04-26
HUGHES ACCEPTS TO
SERVE THE PEOPLE.
His Chief Consideration in AC-
Cepting Place in Supreme
Court.
WHITE WILL SUCCEED HIM
Albany Believes Retirement
Won't Affect Legislative
Programme-Appoint-
ment Commended.
WHITE WILL SUCCEED HIM
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune


Albany. April 25.-No moro striking
contrast between Governor Hughes's at
titude toward public office and that of
some of the politicians and legislators
who have teen most bitter in their oppo-
stion to his reform programme has
been presented than that furnished to-
the United States Supreme Court bench
The Governor, as he has told those
here who are closest TO him, accepted
President Taft's appointment because
he felt it offered him an opportunity for
lifetime of genuine public service Of
the greatest Importance along the lines
followed by him as Governor. His al
tentative was a lifetime of money MAX
ing in private law practice. When the
question of making money for himself
or serving the people Of the entire ma
tiOn in an important and honorable
post was presented, he felt he had no
right to refuse that service
Some of the Governors political an
tagonists are rejoicing openly because
they think they have got the Governor
out of the way at last" They consider
this appointment virtually 20 put him
on the shelf" The only regret these
men are expressing is that they Will be
unable to get the Governors remark
able and valuable services on the stump
for the Republican state ticket this fall
These men are only a part Of the Re
publican party. however. From many
other Republicans here there came to-
night expressions of great regret that
the Governor would have to leave the
service of this state, but of gratifica-
tion that he was about to undertake so
important service for the nation.
Question Carefully Considered.
1t is known by those who are close to
the Governor that he considered this
question long and carefully before de-
Gliding to accept the appointment.
There were many elements in the
situation. He had undertaken a duty
to the State Of New York in ac-
cepting reelection. He owed a duty To
his family, and the practice of law in
New York City at the end of his present
term offered splendid financial opportu-
nitiess Then there were letters from all
over the country urging the Governor
to hold himself free TO run for another
end far higher ofiice--letters of great
sincerity, which naturally gratifed even
a man SO free frcm political ambitions
as the Governor.
But the Governor will not have to take
up his work on the bench until the sec
ond week in october. BY that time. his
friends say he has told them. he feels
that everything he could accomplish
here will have been accomplished. The
work remaining for the Executive will
be practically routine work. His legis-
lative programme will have been passed
on finally: his record will have been
made. There will he a new candidate
for Governor in the field. and after cleo
tion his policies will remain to he con-
siderod, and all that relates 20 the next
session of the Legislature will be shaped
by the successful candidate.
The salary OF judge of the Supreme
Court is S12.5OO a year. though there
S17.Jc0. the salary of a justice of the
Supreme Court in the 1st and I'd dis
tricts in this state. This. to he sure. is
almost beggarly beside the yearly in
come the Governor could make if ne
took. up the practice Of law in New
York The money element. though
seems to have been the one least consid-
cred 10y him in reaching his decision. Il.
is a poor man. and acknowledges IT free
~. He has large family and children
To put through college. His four years
as Governor have cost him about ST..
coo a year over the salary. but that has
letn due to the fact that as Chief Exec
utive of the state he has been obliged to
maintain a certain degree of state in his
establishment and to travel consider
ably.