El Nuevo mexicano., 1916-06-15
Iron Will Declared
To Be Characteristic
OF Charles z. Hughes


Washington. June 12.-Charles Evans
Hughes fame rests principally on his con
duct Of the insurance investigation and his
career as governor OF New York state.
Mr.. Hughes was born at Glen Falls, N. H.,
April II, 1862, the son Of q Welshnha an, who
had como to this country IN 1855, become 4
teacher Of Languages aud afterwards a .Bap-
fist clergyman.
AS the slow methods OF the ordinary
school irked the brilliant boy, his mother
took charge OF his education until he was
ten years old, Then he entered a New York
City grammar school, and at the age Of IA
began his studies in Madison lpow Colgatel
University. at Hamilton, N. X.
Two years later he entered the sophomore
class at Brown University, where he was
graduated with many honors in 1881.
Intended For Ministry
His parents intended him for the minis,
try, but the young man had a strong pen,
chant for the law. He secured o position at
Delaware Academy. Delhi, N. ", as instruc.
tor in Greek, Latin and mathematics and al
the same time read Blackstone every after
noon in the Office Of d local Judge.
In 1882 he entered Columbia law school,
New York City. He was graduated two
years later at the head Of his class and be-
came a member of the New York bar.
For the first three years he practiced he
served as prize tutor at Columbia also, and
added to his income further by conducting
a private quiz" two nights every week for
law students who desired his aid.
In 1888 he entered the law firm Of Carter,
Hughes and Cravath, and about the same
time married Miss Antoinette Carter, daugh-
ter OF Waiter S. Carter, senior member Of
the firm.
In 1891 Mr.. Hughes took a professorship
at Cornell University, which he held for
his health, damaged by overwork. He then
entered New York City law practice again.
Gas investigation
He first attracted newspaper attention in
1905, when he became counsel for the Ste1I
phens gas investigating committee. Mr..
Hughes uncovered the ramifications of the
gas and electric light monopoly of the me-
tropolis and later assisted in framing sew
eral bills to bring relief to bad conditions
he had discovered.
In the same year started the famous life
insurance investigation. beginning in a quar-
rel among the officers Of the Equitable life
Assurance company ana extending to sew.
eral other large companies.
Asked For Free Rein
When asked to AXE up the work Of con-
sui to the investigating committee MIR.
Hughes declined, except on condition that
he be given free rein and allowed to han
die the probe thoroughly, The investiga-
tion lasted four months and resulted in a
revolution in insurance methods. Mr..
Hughes unearthed gross irregularities in
the insurance business and recommended
the important legislation which has since
most Of these evils. Later, as
governor, he furthered this legislation. In
the course of the investigation Mr.. Hughes
offered the Republican nomination for
of New York, but refused, desiring
10 continue his probe.
Elected Governor
In the auIumn or 1906 Mr.. Hughes was
elected governor of New York state by the
Republicans. Here, although his training
mental habits might have been expected
to make him conservative, he took the Lead
srship in somewhat radical legislation.
He was successful In getting what he
wanted from a hostile legislature. When.
he found difficulties thrown in his way
he vent out and talked to the people and
he usually soon found the legislature yiled.
He was elected for a second term OF
two years in 1908.
Many Reforms
Some Of the fruits OF the Hughes admin, !
situations we're the public utilities bill, a
new insurance code. reorganization OF the
system, registration Of lobbyists,
IN employers liability law, suppression ot I.
ace track gambling. the eight cent gas bill
Ind graduated inheritance tax.
In 1910 President Taft appointed Mr. I
hughes an associate justice of the supreme
curt and he took office on October | OF
year. Since then his services, though :
notable, have not been Of a spectacular ma
ure. and have been involved in the pro.
of the court as a whole SO that 1t a
5 diiicult to tell just what part Mr. Hughes /
las played,
Is Devout 4
Two remarks of Mr.. Hughes have attract. I
d much attention. In 1907 he said: "Hu- b
society cannot be stable unless 1t is n
progressive" and the next year: THE il
ommon welfare must be the supreme law" Il
Mr.. Hughes is devout, but broad in his
eiigious views. He helped John D. Rookie b
eller. Jr., organize mis- famous Sunday
chool. He is an "outof-doors man" and Il
to spend his summers in the Alps or Z
he Adirondacks. His children are Charles h
=, Jr, now a lawyer in New York City. and Z
and Catharine. /,