Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-21

IN q way not altOSetlleT ouiteouS' -
was even declared that Hughes had
been promised the highest judicial Of
fee if he would consent to look kindly
upon it.
The Associated Press correspondent
at Washington assures the public that
Justice Hughes refuses absolutely and
steadfastly to talk for publication, YET
it can be said with positiveness, on
the best possible authority, that he
harbors no grievance: that he never
was promised the chief justiceship;
that he recognizes the fitness and
propriety of the appointment of Jus
tice White as chief justice; that he
is not and does not intend ever to be
candidate for the Presidency, and
particularly that he is happy in lis
work and desires to be let alone 10
do it to the best of his ability.
Thus is the inspired writer's dream
relegated to the column of fakes, and
another plan to create feeling against
the President among those too far
away to understand conditions in the
great political centres, goes to the
scrap heap.
Sensible Americans of sober thought
who give the matter careful atten-
ton probably will be inclined to rec
ogniZe the hand of an all-wise Provi-
dencc in the influences which placed
William Howard Taft in the Presiden-
tial chair at n time when the chief
executive is called upon to name four
members of the Supreme Court. with
the probability that a fifth will have
to be named within the next few
months, thus making majority men,
bership in that tribunal of mis- APP
pointces. In addition to these APP
pointments, President Taft must name
nine other judges of United States
courts within the next few days.
A Western writer who ought to
know, said, recently, in considering
this phase of the matter. that it is
appalling to think what would have
happened if, by the fortunes of po-
litical warfare, William J. Bryan had
been President when this momentous
responsibility and opportunity came
to the White House.
In an address at st. Louis, Prcsi-
dent Taft referred to the Supreme
Court OF the United States in the fol-
lowing words: That court was con-
stituted to preserve the rights of the
people and the rights of the individ-
uals against the people themselves
whenever. in the heat of emotion or
temporary alteration, they enacted
measures which deprived the individ-
ual OF his just rights under the consti-
tuition. Hence it is that to me, Il law
yer, the United States Supreme Court
in this government: that the appoint
mant OF men to that bench is the
highest and most sacred function that
the executive has to perform
We believe that when President Taft
appointed Charles +. Hughes to the
supreme justiceship he had the same
sentiment in ,nind-that it was n sa-
cred function on the part of the eNccu-
tive to name such as Mr. Hughes be-
cause of their judicial mind, their legal
ability, and their unquestioned honesty
to preserve the rights of the people
for themselves. and against themselves
when tneE are in the wrong. We be-
lievc that Mr.. Hughes accepted the ap-
pointnent with the same sentiment
in mind and heart-that it was a sa-
cred thing, trust, handed to him by
great and good man. and that he
had no aspirations to anything beyond
that. His goal had been reached in
the affairs of men, and he was resolved
to spend the rest of his days in de-
voting the best that is in him to the
affairs Of his country. We believe
that lie is not to be led out from that
resolve by any such dazzling equip
ment as nomination for the presi-
dency On the bejewelled latter of po-
litscal exigencies. Mr. Hughes is not
politician, no more than is President
raft. Both are of judicial mind
with right and justice uppermost in
their mental makeup. ana there is only
one place in which we should as soon
see President Taft as in that which
he now occupies. and that is. sitting
beside Justice Hughes on the Supreme
Bench.