The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-06-16
HUGHES DISCOVERED
BY CAPITAL MAN

Washington has rival claim to that
Of New York for the credit of having
furnished the Republican party with ita
Presidential candidate.
New York claims Charles Evans
Hughes as n native son. The District
Of Columbia. however. bases Its title
@ 70 credit sss aet a sss the waa
former resident Of the National CAPITAL;
Hughes had struck terror into the
hearts Of graft rings and rambling
stevens. at one time president Of the
Commercial National Bank. Of this
city. and until his death few months
ago. q prominent factor In local hpnn-
cial circles. as state senator IN New
for q Legislative committee that was
lnvestigating the gas companies Of New
Mr.. Hughes had made a reputation
tracts and Involved agreements, and
Senator stevens discovered" him for
the committee and the public:
AS counsel for the gas investigating
franchises. proved the expiration Il Of
other franchises. and included no many
facts In logical report that, on tbs
strength Of this showing. the next
leg aSs pscs snSs %sD ss Ssns evils and
the FIRST time showed his capabilities to
the public. and when the Armstrong
investigating COMMITTEES came to town
some months later to probe into t,sur-
sncs conditions. he was the logical
choice for counsel.
A. counsel for the Armstrong COM
mittee. MT. HUGHES had q great oppor-
rscosnissd as the master man Of the in.
vestigation. and II was his nraveling
OF complicated dealings. his exposure OF
corruption In covered places. his COM
icsnce that resulted in the roofing up Of
many insurance evils and the reorGan-
ization Of the business along moro
wholesome lines.
Several times when witnesses
hoped to escape the piercing lixht Of
81 don't remember" Mr.. Hughes
showed that he remembered BIZ an
swering his own question with the
facts In the case.
one Of the life insurance presidents,
accuracy. once exclaimed:
why. Mr.. Hughes. you know more
about the company than ] do"
Following the insurance Investigation,
moral sentiment against the exposed re-
gimes caused their speedy termination.
ana many amendments to the life insur-
ance laws. drawn up by Mr.. Hughes.
were passed by the legislature
In the midst OF his activities as coun-
sci for the Armstrong committee the
Republican nomination for the mayor
atty C,, was Offered to Mr.. Hughes. but he
The nomination. according to the gen.
eral view, was offered as a bait TO
lure the investigator from his work. and
thus save the objects OF his attacks,
who had great political influence. but
Mr.. Hughes discerned the scheme and
would not let himself be hooked on the
political fishing line.
Mr.. Hughes also served as a special
assistant In the coal Investigation OF
1906, but the insurance investigation
mad made him = public man. and talk
or his availability for the governorship
became widespread.
His nomination In the fall of 1900 was
analogous. In some ways. to his romi-
nation for the Presidency. The Re
publican masses were favorable but the
bosses and leaders were suspicious OF
him because they knew nothing of his
attitude on public questions and could
not tell whether he would stand without
The Republican party was in uncer-
tain place with the people when the
State convention of 1906 met, and Will
liam Randolph Hearst. who. In the opin-
ion OF some citizens. had been robbed
or the New York maporalty, wax threat.
ening to sweep the State for the Demo-
Gratis on a platform Of panaceas for
Word from Roosevelt was the final
Hughes. The Republican delegates were
largely divided between Ex-Governor
Black and Lieutenant Governor Bruce
with Hughes in a decided minority
Word was taken to the President al
morning preceding the nomination tina,
Hughes stood little chance. The Pref.
dent sent word back that he lid moi
want to interfere in State politics and
In his opinion, Hughes was the best
man available. This sufficed to settle
the contest.