The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-04-28
MR.. JUSTICE HUGHES.


' "e''iN h'"hEo' TIA,
The announcement that Governor
Charles f. Hughes, of New York, has
decided to accept the offer of posi-
ton on the United States Supreme
Court bench, made by President Taft,
Will be very generally recognized as
an ideal appointment, but the news
will also cause very widespread dis
appointment that man so splenddly
equipped should withdraw from active
public life.
Less than four years ago Mr..
Hughes became Governor of New
York, which was his first experience
in politics or as an executive officer.
He came into public notice first
1903 as the counsel for probing con-
ditions in gas, electric lighting. and
insurance companies Today his name
is a household word throughout the
country, he is regarded as one of the
half dozen greatest political leaders
in the United States. and probably the
most effective campaign orator in the
Union with the possible exception of
William j. Bryan. 1t will be a great
disappointment to many persons all
over the land that Governor Hughes
has voluntarily taken himself out of
the field from which Presidential can
didates are chosen, for he is generally
recognized as ideal Presidential TIM
Der, and If for any reason President
Taft did not wish to stand for re-
election there would be general
turning to Governor Hughes on the
part of the Republicans.
As Governor of New York he has
transformed one of the most corrupt
States, politically speaking, to "one
that is in a fair way to become one of
the best in the Union. He has es-
tablished a new standard in political
life and government. He has demon
strated that it is possible for an eX-
ecutive to secure good legislation
without the use of patronage as a
answering integrity, backed by the
power of the public conscience. are
the best assets a political leader can
have. Again and again the most pow
erful and astute politicians of the most
populous State of the Union have be-
lieved that they could defeat the man
or his measures of reform only to
find that he had but to appeal to the
people to arouse public sentiment
so powerful that no bosses could
stand against it. To overestimate the
value of the career of Governor
Hughes as an object lesson in prac-
teal politics is we'll nigh impossible
OF course it is still possible to take
this man from the Supreme bench and
make him President of the United
States, but it is not at all probable
that such an event will occur
His course makes the election of a
Republican Governor in New York
this fall difficult task The nomi-
nee. in order to succeed, must be in
sympathy with the Hughes policies
and will need the benefit of the Gov
ernor's active sympathy and persu
sive oratory. The discredited, grating
machine element of New York Re-
publicanism will rejoice to see
Hughes leave active political life, but
the majority of the party in the EN-
pire State will recognize the loss OF
their greatest asset.
There are many who believe that II
President Roosevelt had not used his
great power to influence the choice of
his successor, today ii would be Pres
ident Hughes who would. be appointing
William H. Taft Justice of the SUI
preme Court, instead of the reverse,
and who shall say that Taft would not
be happier in that capacity than he
is In the White House?
Not in many years has such a great
popular leader been appointed to the
Supreme bench, and while his eleva-
ton is serious loss to his party and
to public service of political nature,
1t must be remembered that a great
field of usefulness lies before him In
his new office. He has lust passed