Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-05
JUSTICE HUGHES

be nominated by the Republicans
at Chicago. But that possibility
probability, perhaps-gives interest
to Mr.. Hughes attitude on matters OF
public moment. There are those who
look upon the nomination of Hughes
as something corresponding to the
proverbial pig in poke" But these
do not know the man. His views on
preparedness" for instance, have
been questioned, and this is the only
point that can be generally in serious
doubt for the justice is a staunch Re-
publican on matters of party princi-
pie as a whole. There is no reason
for uncertainty, however, even in re-
gard to preparedness, for he is on
record as far back as 1908, when few
Americans were thinking seriously of
our military and naval delinquencies,
as expressing himself on that subject
in these no uncertain terms:
We are devoted to the interests
of peace and we cherish no policy
of aggression. The maintenance of
our ideals is our surest protection
It is our constant aim to live IN
friendship with all nations and to
realize the aims of a free Govern
ment secure from the Interruptions
of strife and the wastes of war. 1t
is entirely consistent with these
aims, and 1t is our duty, to make
adequate provision for our defense
and to maintain the efficiency of
our army and navy, and this 1 ia
Vor.
This is precisely the attitude of the
Republican party to-day, and of a
vast number of voters outside the
party lines. If Justice Hughes stood
for proper military preparation then,
how much more so must he feel the
need of adequate defense plans now.
On other topics of popular interest
his position is equally clear and strong.
His reasons, for instance, in not be-
coming an active candidate for the
Presidency, in addition to a natural
reluctance to step from the bench into
the political arena, may be cited in
this extract from an address to stu
dents of Yale University on Political
Office:
Work in your chosen field to the
best of your ability; enter into poll
tical activities without thought or
demand of reward; do your duty as
a citizen because it is your duty and
not because you expect office; keep
yourself free from embarrassing
obligations be ready to take office
If it comes your way and you can
take it, but never let the thought
of your selection stay your efforts
in aiding the community to better
things.
Again, as to his views on the rights
of the people, one need seek no farther
than his speech in support of the New
York Public Service Commission bill
when he made his famous fight from
the Governors office for it's passage by
the Legislature. On this occasion he
said:
I am here retained by the people
of the State of New York to see that
Justice is done and with no dispo-
sition to injure any Investment, but
with every desire to give the fullest
opportunity to enterprise and with
every purpose to shield and protect
every just property interest. I
stand for the people of the State of
against favoritism, against finan-
cial scandal and against everything
that goes to corrupt our politics by
interference with the freedom. of
our Legislature and administration.
] stand for honest government and
effective regulation by the State of
Ine pubic SeINlte EpOIdllOiS.
No honest corporation manager
could find fault with that and even the
most radical of reformers could ask no
more.
Justice Hughes is far from being a
pig in a poke" candidate. True, he
has not spoken recently but his views
on every important issue now before
the people are we'll known to all who
have followed his political career, and
in none of them has he fallen below
cans nor short of the purposes of pat
riotic citizens expressed in the pre-
paredpess program now so generally
advocated.