Evening star., 1915-11-19
Cause Is Strengthened by
Keeping Out of the Presi-
dental Primaries.
HIS NAME SURE TO GO
BEFORE CONVENTION
Far-Seeing Politicians Believe 1nde-
pendence of Views Will Make Him
Formidable Candidate.

Politicians say that the events of the
past few days have placed Charles T..
Hughes of New York in politically
strategic position different from that
occupied by any other man discussed
in connection with the republican pres
idential nomination. 1t is said that the
similar situation.
Mr.. Justice Hughes, it is declared,
has demonstrated beyond cavil the sin
cerity of his determination not to allow
his name to be used as presidential
candidate in the coming primaries for
the selection of delegates to the ma
tional convention, and by inference, a
like inhibition exists against it's invo-
cation in other methods of choosing
delegates.
Places Himself Above Criticism.
BY this action he conforms to the
highest ideals of the ethics of his eX
allied judicial position. 1t is admitted.
and disarms criticism of the possible
use of that office to further any politi-
cal ambition which he might be
charged to entertain.
But it is likewise conceded by all that
this attitude can in no way serve to
prevent the consideration of his name
by the national convention when it
meets No altruistic, ethical reasons
attaching to his occupancy of place
on the bench of the highest court can
be urged against that convention bal
loting upon his name as an available
candidate for the presidency, it is as
serted.
And politicians agree that his name
is as sure to be presented to the con-
vention as that the sun rises. He can
not, before the convention meets, say
he would not take the nomination if
thus offered. because he would then be
the time been profered.
Occupies Unique Position.
The remarkable position which he oc-
cupies, in the opinion of the politicians,
is that of a man running away from a
possible honor while others are rum
ming for it, With Mr.. Burton of Ohio
straining every nerve to build up an
organization in behalf of his own can
didacy; with friends of Senator Weeks
of Massachusetts, working in his inter
est: with "favorite sons, in several
states. Sherman of Illinois. Cummins of
Iowa. and others being pushed by their
fellow citizens. all seeking delegates to
the national convention. not only is
nothing being done for Mr.. Hughes, but
he is actually refusing sanction to any
thing in that line being attempted.
And yet the idea is widespread, as any
one can demonstrate by the most casual
inquiry from those around him, that
Mr.. Hughes would be popular candi-
date and strong one, and republican
leaders themselves admit it, 1t is true
that many professional politicians de-
clare that If elected Mr.. Hughes would
be a difficult man ito do business with"
as they put it. That same idea is said
throughout the country. 1t is upon this
very fact that far-seeing politicians
base their belief that sentiment for
Hughes will find expression in the ma
tional convention.
"Bosses Will Have to Take Him."
THE bosses will have to take him il
it seems that he can beat Wilson," is
the way the rank and file Of the repub-
licans put it.
No one believes for a moment that
Mr. Hughes would refuse a nomination
from the convention, the outgroWth of
"a demand based upon conviction of his
availability There is universal acclaim
of his action in preserving the integ-
rity of his judicial position in the pre-
lipninaries, but when the convention
meets, it is said, the situation will
rest upon an entirely different basis
The popular judgment of republica ms
is that these considerations place Mr.
Hughes in formida BILE position, in the
last analysis, among all the republic
ans who are now mentioned as the pos
sible nominee of the republican national
convention