New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-01

To the Editor Of Tn. Tribune.
Sir: From time to time I notice statements
in tn. public press that friends OF Justice
Hughes have assurances that he is willing 10
accept the Republican nomination for the
Presidency. Thus far I have rot learned or
read Of the individual upon whom the justice
has bestowed such confidence, nor have !
seen any specific statement Of the language
used by Justice Hughes. Until such state
mcnts are made with greater authority than
any which have yet emansted from the anti
Roosevelt coterie. il may safely be assumed
that the public may rely upon the public
statements made by Mr. Justice Hughes. viz:
That he is not a candidate for the Republican
nomination and has positively prohibited the
use Of his name on any primary ballot in
any state where an attempt has been mad
20 use IL. Surely no one familiar with his
public record as Governor could Justify the
belief that he would repose back stair
condolences in Mr.. Barnes or any Of the other
leaders Of the movement for "snything 20
beat Roosevelt"
II is true that Justice Hughes has not cate
gorcally declined nomination, which has
not yet been offered him. in anything
approaching the picturesque declination Of
General She man -"If nominated. 7 will not
accept: If elected ! will not serve" But il
must he borne in mind that Justice Hughes
mindful Of mis- great judicial office, Is not
given to vigorous and picturesque pubic
utterances. However ne has a right 20
assume that the people will accept his state
ments at their face value and that they will not
be received as Pckwickian declination or
as a shrewd attempt TO attract popular
support through excessive modesty.
If there are any who believe Mr.. Justice
Hughes is given TO vacilation or that hi,
position is easily subject 70 change. il might
be we'll for them TO recall one or two Incl
dents Of his career, which may serve 20 throw
a food Of light on his present attitude. In
1905 Charles +. Hughes had successfully con-
cuded his labors as counsel for the Arm
strong Insurance Investigating Committee
He had gained tremendous hold on the
confidence of the people by his great ability
and by his sturdy independence in the con-
duct Of that investigation. His name was
prominently mentioned as probable csndi
date of the Republican party for Mayor Of
the City Of New York Mr.. Hughes in n
quiet and dignifed manner deprecated the
use Of his name. The Republican city con-
vention met and unanimously nominated him
tor Mayor the first great political honor
which had ever been bestowed on him. Mr.
Hughes promptly and peremptorily declined
the honor.
In 1912 his name was suggested as a com
promise candidate FOR the Republican Presi-
Dental nomination. As a justice Of the SUI
preme Court, he promptly forbade the use OF
his name and his refusal was accepted as
final and conclusive.
Can any one have the temerity TO believe
that his NO" in 1916 is less inal than his
NO" OF 1905 or Of 1912,
II j. true that justices Of the Supreme
Court have. in az least two instances. freely
permitted the use Of their names in nominal
ing conventions. Justice Mclean. appointed
to the bench in 1929 was balloted for in the
Wing convention OF 1870 and in the Republi-
can conventions OF 1856 and 1860, but at no
time became dangerous competitor for the
nomination. In 1860 the name OF Salmon p
Chase, then Governor OF Ohio, was presented
20 the Republican National Convention
Later, while Secretary OF the Treasury, he
unnecessarily intrigued for the Republican
nomination in 1864, in opposition 20 his
chief, President Lincoln. Mr.. Lincoln. rec
ognized his great ability and subsequently
appointed him Chief Justice in spite OF his
personal disloyalty to him. In 1868, while
occupying that exalted judicial Office Chase
unsuccessfully dickered for the Democratic
nomination as the opponent Of General Grant
on a proposed platform Of anti-miltarism
Even in 1872 he still dreamed of the Presl-