New-York tribune., 1916-02-26
Politicians Point to His
Failure TO Declare He
VIII Not Run.
NOT A CANDIDATE,
HE ASSERTS AGAIN
Justice Tells Henry A. Wise
Wood He VIII Not Dis
cuss Politics.
iTrom TIE ThSun. Bureau

Washington, Feb. 25.-Publication
to-day OF letter from Justice Hughes
TO Henry A. Wise Wood, of New York,
reiterating the Justices declaration
that he is not candidate for the
Presidential nomination. either ae-
lively or tseitly. has tended 10
strengthen the growing feeling here
that Justice Hughes may yet be per
suaded 20 accept the nomination under
certain possible circumstances.
Il is pointed out that the Justice has
not yet declared positively that he Will
refuse TO accept the nomination under
any circumstances, and this has re-
vived the hope in Republican circles
that he may be the man on whom all
wings Of the party may unite. No one
claims 70 know how the matter can
be brought about, and nothing has
come from Justice Hughes, directly or
indirectly
In his letter 70 Justice Hughes Mr..
Wood requested statement as 10 his
attitude on preparedness, and speaking
of the Justices possible candidacy,
wrote:
Being ono who believes that even
tually you may be constrained TO con-
cerned 20 learn your view of the policy
we should hold with respect to the ma
tional defences, | trust you Will not
consider my inquiry as to Its nature an
unwarrantable intrusion"
Hughes Refuses to Answer.
your letter Of February II has been
received" Justice Hughes wrote in re
ply. IL dislike 20 refuse an answer to
your inquiry. but. in view Of M judi
cial Office, DO not feel that have any
right to take part in political discus
sion, or 20 make statements Of the sort
that would be expected from cand dates
for Office.
Il am not a candidate, actively or
tacitly. and. as do not wish 10 10 any
thing which would justly be regarded
rs an attempt to obtain political sup
port. / must ask TO be excused from
answering your inquiry"
A prominent lawyer who attended the
recent meeting Of the New York State
Bar Association in New York City
called attention 70 the following para
graph in the address delivered by JUS
tice Hughes.
ave re living AZ a time when men
and women in a large part Of the world
in its severity and are exhibiting a
heroism that has never been surpassed
Let it not be supposed that those who
survive will lack the strength which
such sacrifice and such discipline will
give. Let US not content ourselves
with the comfortable thought Of hard
ships we have escaped, but rather re-
fleet upon the vigor, self-discipline and
petriotic ardor which alone can make
US worthy Of opportunity or able TO
use H."
Must Face Duty to Country.
This paragraph convinced many that
Justice Hughes WAS deeply conscious Of
the unparalleled situation Drought
about in all countries as a result Of the
great war. and that il was this phase
Of the situation which had prevented
him from declaring that he would re
fuse 70 10 10 the aid Of his country II
a clarion call came from his country
men to transfer his services from the
comfortable Supreme Court bench TO
the hsrdships and turmoil and strife Of
the White House.
In other words, It was asserted that
~ Justice Hughes lived up 10 his record
of practising what he preached he must
not content himself with the com
Portable thought Of hardship escaped,
but must reject upon the vigor, self
discipline and patriotic ardor which
some one must devote 20 his country in
the Presidential chair for the four eX-
ceedingly active years approaching.