Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-16
THE. HUGHES PRESIDENTIAL.
BOOM.

Every little while some one springs
boom for Judge Ehas. J. Hughes.
of the federal supreme court, and
former Scvernor Of New York. for
president, Tha, exercise is again be-
ins engaged in,
Judge Hughes is 4 remarkably able
man. He came into prominence some
years ago in connection with the
srca, insurance investigation which
resulted in eliminating a number Of
undesirable conditions from the in
:',lrance business and saving many
million dollars to the policy holders.
The prominence which he thus gained
resulted in his election as governor of
New York. in which position he ac-
r.iittcd himself with ability and rare
courage. An illustration of his cour-
age was given in his veto of the two
cent rate bill which had been passed
by the state legislature, at time
when low-ratc legislation was very
popnlar The governors act gave Of
tense to a great many people, but he
did not waver Through his insist
cnce there had been passed a bill Gre
ntng public utilities commission.
one Of whose duties was to supervise
the making of railroad rates. That
having been done. the governor did
not propose to have it's work taken
out OF the hands Of the commission,
aud he vetoed the rate bill in spite
of its temporary popularity, and ig-
nored the avalanche of hostile criti-
cisn; which was turned loose on him.
During the latter part of President
Taft's term Judge Hughes, who had
been placed on the supreme bench
was often mentioned as good timber
for the republican presidential NOM
nation. He is again being mentioned
and with considerable insistence So
far as we have seen he has not made
any statement as to whether or not he
would accept a nomination il it were
rendered him. Our own guess is that
he would not. He has life position
vt honor aud usefulness. The work
is. presumably. to his taste. or ne
would not have accepted the appoint
ment, Undoubtedly he could have
made much more money in private
practice after his retirement from the
position Of governor OF New York,
and had he entertained presidential
anbitons. he would have been able
20 nurse them to better advantag as
a practicing lawyer than as Judge
Of tho supreme court
Despite his ability and high char
''c'rr. Vt would hr u disappointment to
many admirers of Judge Hughes il he
"crr I" entertain ihe thought of re-
offering political life. II would, i'm a
n'anncr. be regarded as treating with
slight respect the high judicial posi-
non which he now holds, making Use
81 1t as II temporary convenience, to
u" abandoned when something more
attractive offered
oar courts have been attacked in
nanN ways. aud the supreme court
has come in for its share Of abuse
Ijut y good deal OF what has heen
said is mere frnth. We believe that
fho great body of the American peo-
ule have Il high regard for their courts
and u strong desire that the whole
judicial institution De kept free from
he complications and distra ctions O,
marty politics. We believe that the
general desire is that our highest
judicial positions shall he filled by the
appointment of men chosen for theil
character and ability, and who accep,
their positions as priest accepts his
ordination. AS 4 life work. withou,
thought Of going backward or turning
aside.