The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-26
HUGHES SURPRISES
FRIENDS AND FOES
Sacrifices Financial Future
TO Accept High Judi
Cial Post.
POSITION
TO SERVE PEOPLE
Believed at Albany That Retire
ment Won't Affect Legisla-
tive Program.

I'VE program
ALBANY. April 26--Frfends and foes
alike were surprised today when they
learned Of Governor Hughes acceptance
Of the appointment 10 the Supreme
Bench Of the United States.
No more striking contrast between
Governor Hughes attitude toward pub
lie office and that Of some OF the poll
ticians and legislators who have been
most bitter in their opposition to his
reform program has been presented than
that furnished BY the news OF his nomi-
nation
The governor. as he has told those here
who are closest to him. accepted PresI-
dent Taft's appointment because he feij
it offered him an opportunity for life
time OF genuine public service OF the
greatest Importance along the lines fol-
lowed by him as governor His alter
native was lifetime Of money making
In a private law practice When the
question Of making money for himself
or serving the people Of the entire ma
ton in an important and honorable post
was presented, he felt he had 10 right
70 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 to put him
on the shelf The only regret these
men are expressing Is that they viii
be unable 10 get the governors remark
able and valuable services on the stamp
for the Republican State ticket this fall.
But One Faction
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
that governor would have to leave the
service Of this State. but Of qualification
that he was about to undertake so I'm
pOrtant a service for the nation
It Is known by those who are close 70
the governor that he considered this
question long and carefully before de
Gliding 70 accept the appointment
The salary OF judge OF the Supreme
Court IS 1880 a year, though there now
is g bill before Congress 10 make Il
SlI,5oo the salary of a justice OF the
districts IN this State This, 70 II sure,
IS almost begsarly beside the yearly In
come the governor could make II he
took up the practice OF law IL New
York The money element, though.
seems 70 have been the one least con-
sidered by him IN reaching his decision
He Is a poor man, and acknowledges
IL freely He has a large family and
children 70 put through college His
four years as governor have cost him
about S12.Oeg a year over the salary, but
that has been due 70 the fact that as
chief executive OF the State he mas been
obliged to maintain a certain degree OF
state in his establishment, and TO travel
considerably
Tastes Distinctly Quiet
On the bench ali that would be differ
eut. The governor and his family have
tastes distinctly quiet His friends say
he viii be able to regulate his life in
washington 50 that his stated income
viii enable him 70 live IN comfort, IN a
modest and retiring fashion. which was
characteristic Of the man and his family
before he was dragged into public life
bv the xas and insurance investigations
So on every count the governors
friends said he was disposed to accept
the honor prO6eTed 70 him BY President
Taft he realized that il meant a life
time Of honorable and important ser
vice Of the kidd most agreeable to him
It meant an assured livelihood adequate
for his needs, and with his old age
lqkeu care Of The honor had come to
him entirely unsouEht and unexpected.
by a combination OF circumstance as
remarkable as &aat which placed him IN
the governors chair II looked 20 him
Ike the one opportunity OF a lifetime
TO round out his life IN comfort. in an
honorable place. giving hard honorable,
and important work each day 70 the
people OF his country
Governor Hughes win give I'D his
work here II the second week OF OctO-
Der. probably October IL Lieut. Gov
course this means that the governor
VIII not take any active part IN the
State campaign
Political Effect.
There Is considerable difference OF
opinion as 70 whether the governors re-
tirenent viii make any difference in
the legislative situation Those best in
formed seem 10 think that It xiii not
The Republican leaders feel that they
are now in a position where they viii
have TO so IL alone" Responsibility
for all legislative action in this critical
campaign year viii be on them
At the same time there Is an under
current of sO-called reaction which Is
making itself felt Progressive Republi-
cans say they have little doubt that with
Hughes definitely out OF the State an
effort viii be made BY some OF those
Republicans who have fought him most
consistently t. capture the State cOnven-
ton. If they gained control Of that body
they would be IN position 70 nominate
their own kind Of a ticket
II may be said, with respect % that,
that the governors friends declare he
feels very confident that the work done
in the last four years will stay nut -
de feels that whatever he has accom-
piished in the way of changes IN Do
ltiCaI methods and legislative reforms
has been accomplished because the peo-
pie stood behind him II his recommen-
datiOns. And he has no notion that the
people az this time are going 20 permit
any reaction.
Almost everybody here had a good
word 10 say for the governors appoint
meut.