The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-29
TIDE SETTING
TO HUGHES
Drift to a Candidate of Wig
orous American
ism
HE HAS NOT
SAID NO"
Persistence of Demand for
Him Upsets Poll
ticians

Washington, Feb. ga stead.
growth in sentiment for Justice Charlie
Il. Hughes for president is turning at
tention to the unusual character OF TIN
campaign ahead and to the things foi
which the Justice might be expected t.
stand. The demand for Justice Hughes
has made such Roadway in the last tive
weeks that politicians who have beer
anxious to discount the spontaneous talk
of Hughes in favor of some one of the
active candidates, are revising their ex'
pectations.
Their feeling is that after all the Re
publican candidate for president may be
chosen by the will of the people as rep
resented in the convention rather than
by hotel room conelave.
In the persistency OF the uninspired
and unorganized demand for Justice
Hughes is found much significance as to
the essentials that will engage public at
tention throughout the campaign. II
this demand holds it will mean that mil
lions of voters want the many issues now
roughly classified as american" decided
without going to the extreme OF voting
for leading citizen with big stick.
The more the chances of war are en-
phasized, either by the Democrats or by
supporters OF Col. Roosevelt, the more
pronounced is expected to be the turn to
Justice Hughes. The way Hughes senti-
ment continues increasing, without the
encouragement of any activity, is ac-
cepted as a pretty impressive sign of
what the country wants, not only as to
candidate but as to policy.
This want draws attention to the dis
tinction between Just political and gen
timely national questions. 1t suggests
and politicians are beginning to feel that
more than catchwords are nee
essary to satisfy it that the country is
entering campaign of the sort that pre-
eeded 1860, with attention riveted on pol
ces concerned with national existence
Is well as internal development Such a
disconcerting to sectional in
.erests and pork barrel" enthusiasm,
nay be the prelude to Americas finding
herself" Inevitably it is going to be a
period OF debate on what constitutes |
its safe, sure, necessary |
md honorable policies, with perhaps ma
ional and international changes result |
ng that will affect life in the remotest |
amlet for generations to come.
In itself the prospect of two men of |
UGH marked ability as President Wilson
nd Justice Hughes presenting the OPP
losing sides of case involving the ma
ional future is enticing. As a phrase
maker and subtle controversialist the
resident is an adept If Justice Hughes
acks resourcefulness in making himself |
Understood or vigor of expression in adj
ancing or defending his opinions, the
ack is not on record. The president
yould have the duty of saying the best
hat can be said for certain successes,
ertain failures and for his foreign pol
y. Justice Hughes would logically be
he leader of opinion that traces the
residents failures to Democratic party
inns and principles, and of the opinion
nat says back of foreign policy should
e the necessary military organization
n defense and for f1rmness in negotia-
ons.
If the country-the real America
Ills Justice Hughes to the task he will
,eept. That can be taken as the opin-
n of one man or as a deduction from