Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-12

mate of Governor Hughes is not con-
fined to ex-Lieutenant Governor Bruce,
however. The life insurance yellow
dogs have the same opinion, for cause.
The members of the investigating
committee are as follows:
Chairman. E. Fl. Merritt Of St Law
renee county; Senators V. NJ. Allen OF
Rensselaer, county and Alexander
Brough of New York, Republicans,
and Robert F. Wagner of New York,
Democrat, and Assemblymen William
Colne of Kings county, Frederick r.
Toombs of New York county, Frank
L. Young of Westchester, Republicans,
and James A. Foley, Democrat, Of
New York county.
The meetings of the body are be-
ing held in the aldermanic chamber,
New York city, a room SO familiar
with graft that the investigation
should feel at home. The first regular
session took place on Aug. 2, although
originally scheduled for week earlier.
Sudden Visits Are Many.
AS candidates cannot be probed q
large number of gentlemen seem more
than ever anxious to be nominated for
something. One prominent lobbyist
by the name of Buckley has not trust
ed himself to this expedient, however,
but is making long and affectionate
visit to his wife's relatives in Canada
At least IT must be affectionate, since
he sticks so close to them. 1t is doubt
full If all the kings horses and all the
kings men could get Mr.. Humpty
Buckley back over the border again
Such an example of devotion, and to
Friend Wife's folks at that, is touch
ing.
Hotchkiss had several sessions with
Buckley. They We're memorable for
their lack of memory. Buckley es-
tablished a new record as the cham
pion forgotten Of the world. He show
ed that he could forget faster and
more completely than any man that
was ever on the witness stand. That
was one reason Governor Hughes
wanted a legislative investigation.
superintendent of insurance has not
the same memory stimulators as a
legislative committee. For one thing
ne NduUOL puLlSh N1IhCS>SS AOA NOA-
tempt or send them to Jail.
Hotchkiss Laid Groundwork.
1t was Hotchkiss. plus Senator Ben
Conger and the Aids case. that forced
the present investigation. Hotchkiss
did to fire insurance what Hughes did
to life insurance If anybody is still
IN doubt as to what 1t was these gen
tlemen did, the answer is 'a-plenty."
Several high financiers are living in
Europe on account of what Hughes
did, and at least one politician Is living
at home who would have preferred
going to Washington because of what
Hotchkiss did.
Mr. Hotchkiss was not born an IN
vestigatOr, but had it thrust upon him.
He lives in Buffalo. which is about as
far as one can get from New York
city and still be in New York state.
At present he is one of about nine
Williams that are mentioned for the
governorship. Since trying Hughes
the people Of New York have developed
strong. taste for investigators in the
governors office. and Hotchkiss fills
the bill. William a. Prendergast, who
has also been talked of for governor
recently, declined permission to use
his name and went to Colonel Roose-
Welt with plea fer Hotchkiss. He
said the colonel seemed impressed.
Yet when a flock of correspondents APP
preached the insurance superintendent
on the matter he acted for all the
world as though he had never heard
of the thing before and seemed agree
ably surprised that he had boom.
Points In Common With Hughes.
Mr.. Hotchkiss was born in 1864 and
was educated at Hamilton college. He
has been interested in the primary re-
form movement. in amending the bank
ruptcy law and in the regulation of au
tOmobiles on the public highways. he
is author of one legal text book. "Col-
lier on Bankruptcy" and has been
lecturer in the Buffalo Law school and
the Cornell Law school. He has been
president of the National Association
of Referees In Bankruptcy, of the New
York State Automobile association and
of various clubs and bar associations.
Thus he has at least three points in
common with Governor Hughes-he is
an insurance investigator, favors pri-
mary reforms and has been a lecturer
in the Cornell Law school.
The trails blazed by Hotchkiss will
necessarily be followed by the legis.
lative investigating committee. Even
If there is not a single charge on
knowledge" laid before the committee
the insurance superintendent inquiry
and the Aids case have indicated
enough corruption to keep the commit
tee busy for many moons. 1t is not
without significance that one of the |
first witnesses before the committee is
former Senator Conger, who resigned |