American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-11-02
CHARLES E.. HUGHES
My Conception of the Presidency
By A EVANS HUGH ES

On the v of election day the American people ire entitled TO Il
summary OF the things l have stood for in this campaign, as they re
the things shall stand for as president.
No man can tell in advance what unexpected demands the next
four years ma present but n whose conception of the presidents
duty rests upon fundamental principles describe with entire sin
cerity how the problems of administration would be approached aud
in what spirit they would be solved.
A man charged with the duty of reaching a desired goal knows
that the road to it is found in following that path which sound judg-
ment and clear vision open up step by step. can show the road
l expect to travel.
propose first of all to start right. The president is primarily
nation, to safeguard its interests, to anticipate its needs, to enforce
its laws
The first act of a president who takes this view OF his duties is o
call about him the ablest cabinet the country can furnish. me who
can deal with the tremendous international and domestic problems
which will confront us in the next four years.
My conception of the presidency differs absolutely from that of
Mr.. Wilson. 1 look upon the president as the administrative head OF
the government. He looks upon the president a 3 primarily the po-
ntical leader and lawmaker of the nation.
In the two departments of government most closely touching u
foreign relationship Department of State and the Department of the
Nevy--he, chose men whom he knew to lie wholly unequal TO their
duties. Administrative obligation was subordinated to political ext
gency. l can assure the country that any administration under NV
direction will stand upon sound administrative ground with the ablest
Across the road we r. to travel this next four years. even though
we tar right and move With prudence and courage serious hazard
are thrown like breaks n a roadway made by a torrentai rain. These
all rise out of the a torrent which has rwhelmed Europe. Tho
first has to do with foreign relations. 1t is the presidents duty
to safeguard the interests of our own nation and to preserve the
friendship of every other nation.
No man is more determined than to maintain the peace which
the United States, Spain, Sweden, Norway and all the American e
pubucs now enjoy. But should seek to maintain that peace by a
firm and courteous insistence on the rights OF our citizens at home
and abroad.
in his lawful business For one shall never consent o a policy which
leaves Americans helpless against the lawlessness of any country in
which they have a right to do business.
There confronts labor in the next four years a condition more
serious than any that American laboring mn have been called upon
to face. When this war began a million American working men were
ed energies of a new Europe r thrown into commercial production,
our nation will face a competition such as it never knew.
One of two things must happen-ehher millions of men will be
seeking work in vain or else there must be thought out in advance
the problem of commercial organization a IS France and England anil
Germany II seeking to think GU. the problem today. Every m Of
these nations is preparing to defend its WI market by a protective
tariff The end of the will end also the opportunities for labor
created by the war. The millions in the trenches today will be MI
indust4 competitors tomorrow. ii We ar to save laborfng men