El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-24

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state and the Impressions Of the Repub-
! Hcan candidates personality
4 LBANY. y. Y, June 24-Few men
y in the nation today are being
L - subjected TO a closer scrutiny
than Charles Evans Hughes the Repub-
Iican candidacy for the presidency, the
victor over Theodore Roosevelt for this
high honor
The severity Of his duties as an as
sociate justice of the federal supreme
court has made Mr. Hughes inaccessible
for character study. and it is only by
turning TO his record as governor Of
New York state that an insight into his
official being may be obtained
Straight to the executive mansion at
Albany came the famous investigator.
who had laid bare the evils OF the in
surance business and promised reform,
in 1907.
In his inaugural address he expres-ed
sentiments 10 which he was faithful
when his name was suggested for vice
president in the late summer OF 1910.
and when there was q clamor for his
I selection for the presidency a Few days
ago-"I have not coveted its powers
its responsibilities"
From the moment that he assumed
the reins here. governor Hughes
launched out upon program Of reform.
the carrying out Of which few execu-
ives would have so persiStently fought
for. Re was handicapped BY political
opposition. which found such VOfce IL
the two houses Of the legislature that
his stand for the elimination Of race
track gambling was carried by q single
vote; that cast by senator Otto MOelker.
Of Brooklyn. who was borne III on q
stretcher TO the senate chamber in or
der to win the day.
It took an extraordinary session OF
the legislature TO dispose OF the Hin
man-Green direct primary bill and q
second one the following year to deal
with il then
During the administration OF govern
or Hughes. the Moreland Dill was en-
acted into law This statute conferred
authority upon the executive 20 cause
an Investigation OF any department at
viii and did away with the necessity OF
a specific legislative act
Father Of Public Service Commission.
Governor Hughes was the father OF
the New York public service commits
sion law The commission ne led in
creating assumed the duties OF the old
railroad commission and added jurisdic-
tiOn over light heat and power cOrpor-
ations. besides common carriers Later
telephone and telegraph corporations
were added to the list
. When il is said that Mr.. HUGHES Is a
great campaigner the proof OF the
statement can be found IN the fact that
in 1907 he was the only Republican
state official elected For two years
he fought practically singly for the re-
forms which were subsequently nut
into effect.
The reason governor Hughes was con-
sidered austere. is attributed 1v those
who know him best to the difffcuItips
a0f ~ h..
the first two years Of his administer
ton, when he made known his reform .
program He grew to rely upon his
own judgment and energy, a practice
term
Although It has been frequently said :
that governor Hughes was difficult
executive TO obtain an audience with. I
the statement Is not altogether true. He .
was ready listener and his daily en-
gagements were many. Politicians .
found him anything but pliable and
there are many who have said that he
was cold and unsympathetic. There are I
others, however, who stiu count the
former governor Of the Empire state q
warm friend for the acts OF kindness
he performed for them.
Works Early and Late.
Mr.. Hughes came to the capitoI early
and remained late No matter Of state
was permitted to lapse: il was attended
to at once even though il developed
that intricacy precluded its immediate
Dignity was one Of the most notable
OF governor Hughes. He
almost invariably wore a silk hat and
frock coat. IN the warm weather he
sometimes donned a light felt head COW
sring.
His demeanor was stern and his
glance keen; brevity marked his obser-
vations except during conversation
when the time OF the state was not in
VOWED
Sensible Of the fact that there was
need of statutory revision so that con-
iitions in the state could be improved,
governor Hughes in his first public ad-
iress as governor. pointed out that the
aw was at fault for many Objectionable
features OF government. He said:
Tt must freely berecogniZed that
many OF the evils Of which We com
1lain have their source in the law Eself, |
n privileges carelessly granted. in OPP
lortunities for private ACKNOWLEDGMENT
It the expense of the people recklessly
,reated in failure to safeguard our
public interests by providing means for
ust regulation Of those enterprises
which depend upon the use OF public [
franchises.
Wherever the law gives unjust ad-
'antage, wherever it fails by suitable (
or regulation to protect the
interests OF the people, WheTeve the I
power derived from the state is turned I
lgainst the state. there is not only
Dom but urgent necessity for the asser-