Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1916-11-01
MY CONCEPTION OF
THE PRESIDENCY
By CHARLES EVANS HUGHES

are entitled to a summary of the things I have stood
for in this campaign, they the things shall
stand for as President
No man can tell in advance what unexpected de-
naands the next four years may present but one
whose conception of the Presidents duty rests upon
fundamental principles describe with entire
sincerity how the problems of administration would
be approached and in what spirit they would be
solved.
A man charged with the duty Of reaching de-
sired goal Knows that the road to it is found in
following that path which sound judgment and clear
vision open step by STEP / show the road I
expect to travel.
| propose first Of all to start right. The Presi-
dent is primarily executive. It is his supreme
duty to attend the business of the nation to safe
guard its interests, to anticipate it's needs, to
force it's laws.
The first act of President who takes this view
Of his duties is to call about him the abest cabinet
the country furnish, who deal with the
tremendous international and domestic problems
which will confront in the next four years.
My conception of the Presidency differs absolute
ly from that of Mr.. Wilson. I look upon the Presi-
dent the administrative head of the Government.
He looks upon the President primarily the political
leader and awmaker of the nation.
In the two departments of Government most
closely touching foreign relationship Depart
ment of State and the Department of the Navy
he chose whom he knew to be wholly unequal to
their duties. Administrative obligation sub
ordinated to political exigency. I can assure the
country that any administration under my direction
will stand upon sound administrative ground with
the ablest cabinet the country can supply
Across the road we are to travel this next four
years. though start right and move with
prudence and courage, serious hazards thrown like
breaks in roadway made by torrential rain These
all rise out Of the torrent which has overwhelmed
Europe. The first has to do with foreign rela-
tons It is the Presidents duty safeguard the in
terests of nation and to preserve the friend
ship of every other nation.
No is determined than to maintain
the peace which the United States, Spain, Sweden,
Norway and all American republics now enjoy. But
I should seek to maintain that peace by firm and
courteous insistence on the rights of citizens at
home and abroad.
An American in Mexico is subject to Mexican law,
but he is an American still and is entitled to the pro-
lection of his government in his lawful business.
For one shall consent to policy which leaves
Americans helpless against the lawlessness of any
country in which they have right to do business.
There confronts labor in the next four years con-
dtion serious than any that American laboring
have been called upon to face When this war
began a million American working men were
seeking vainy for employment When the war ends
and the developed energies of new Europe
thrown into commercial production, nation will
face competition such as it never knew.
One Of two things must happen-either millions
Of will be seeking work in vain else there must
be thought out in advance the problem of commercial
organization France and England and Germany
are seeking to think out the problem today. Every
one of these nations is preparing to defend it's own
market by protective tariff. The end of the
will end also the opportunities for labor created by
the The millions in the trenches today will be
our industrial competitors tomorrow. If to
save laboring from a catastrophe must
plan tariff protection along sound, just and economic
lines. To this endeavor pledge myself and the
who to be my colleagues
In this matter again differ absolutely from the
policy of the present administration. Democratic
platforms have declared that the Government has
right to levy tariff duties except for income. This is
the fundamental faith of the Democratic party.
pledge myself and those who stand with to
deal with the needs of laboring the country
whatever their trade organization, upon the prin
cpe Of giving the largest protection possible to every
American working man and the largest participation
possible the prosperity of inductres with spec
ial favorsa to none.
Finally: it is to be remembered that every
European government is putting itself behind its in
dustries; organizing them encouraging them and sug
costing economics. When the commercial struggle
begins anew the industries Of every European coun-
try will go into the world markets backed by the
effective cooperation and intelligent oversight of
their government
Our national policy requires that government
maintain strict supervision Of business organization
This can be done effectively and yet leave the Govern
nent free to encourage legitimate and wholesome
business enterprise. stand for such supervision and
control Of business but demand also that business
great and small (and especially the small business)