Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-19

| the great principles TO which he ad-
| heres.
| TTlHE statement has been industriously
i circulated that the Chicago convention
will not nominate Justice Hughes for the
reason that the nation does not know
where he stands on the issues of the
campaign.
But the views of Justice Hughes are
not unknown. They have been formu-
lated and uttered in public. We print
them on another part of this page today
that they may be recalled to the memory
of those who have forgotten them. The
fact that they were stated in an address
before the New York Republican Club
eight years ago as the platform on
which his friends were to support him
for the presidential nomination that year
does not invalidate them or make them
untimely now. The speech as n whole
might have been made in all it's essentials
yesterday. 1t contains the doctrine of
a sound Americanism, which does not
change with the years and it is the pro
fession of faith of lifelong Republican,
made in the presence of the members of
"a Republican club with which he had been
identified for twenty years.
After a few Introductory words he de-
clared that the Republican party is the
party of stability and the party of prog
ress. In enumerating the things that it
had done he said:
The Republican party has maintained
the national honor, and under its direc-
tion American diplomacy has attained
| tba highest levels of honorable nlrDOge
and distinguished achievement
If Justice Hughes should use these
words today every one would interpret
them as a criticism of the attitude of the
Administration in the Lusitania case and
its successors as well as a condemnation
of the vacillating policy toward Mexico.
But Governor Hughes, as he was then,
did not confine himself to reviewing the
record of his party and indorsing it.
He made an explicit statement of his opn-
ions because, as he said, the party had
right to know what he believed The
friends of national defense profess to be
afraid that he is a pacfist. But he is
not. Neither does he live in that dream
land where men think that force can be
dispensed with. He said:
IL is our constant ann 10 i've III
friendship with all nations and to real
ize the aims of a free government Sc
cure from the Interruptions of strife
and the wastes of war. 1t is entirely
consistent with these aims, and it is
our duty, to make adequate provision
for our defense and to maintain the
efficiency of our army and navy And
this favor
Neither national defense nor the ma
tional honor was at stake when he spoke,
but he took the trouble to let the coun-
try know what he thought. He was
more definite and specific on the perennial
issue of the tariff. Here is what he said:
1 believe in protective tariff. 1t
| Is an established policy. A
| protective tariff is essential to the in
| terests of our wage eaTners in that it
makes possible the payment of wages
on the scale to which we are accus-
| toned. The difference in the
cost of production here and abroad is
| 4he fundamental consideration.
| In order to effect whatever readjust-
| ment may be necessary to make the
tariff schedules consistent with the
| principles underlying the protective pol
icy, 1 favor the appointment of an eN-
pert commission so that the facts may
be ascertained without delay and that
Congress may dispose of the matter in
the fairest possible manner.
He announced that he did not believe
in governmental ownership of railroads.
He favored punishment by Imprisonment
of the officers of corporations who vio-
lated the antitrust laws, as fine did
not touch them and was really paid by the
public or by the innocent shareholders.
He believed in railroad rate regulation
and strengthening of the powers of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. He
favored conservation of national re-
sources. He held that this is a represen-
tatlve government and not pure demOc-
racy and insisted that pure democracy
Is impossible in so large country, And
he concluded his speech by an appeal to
all Republicans to forget personal differ
ences and unite i'm order that the Repub-
liean party, which does not exist for
itself only, might continue to serve the
nation.
If Justice Hughes chose he could fol
low the example of Colonel Roosevelt, who
refers those who want to know where he
stands to Fear God and Take Your Own
Part" He would only have to tell those
who want to know where his feet are to
read his 1908 speech. He is the same
man now that he was then, only a little
more mature. a little wiser and a little
better American. There is not the slight
est doubt of his fitness for the Office Of
President, nor any uncertainty about his
belief in preparedness or his devotion to
the national honor.
Whether the Chicago convention nomi.
mates him or not, it will act with full
knowledge of his views. II knows that
whatever he puts his hand to he does
with all his Fight AS a lawyer he
astounded the country by the thorough
ness OF his investigation into the insur-
anoe scandals. AS a Governor he confined
his activities to the AFFAIRS Of the Govern
arship. AS a Supreme Court Justice he
has devoted himself to the business al
hand. As the date Of the convention ap-
nroaches his availability is becoming
more and more question OF Importance
He may not be the proper candidate. but
this idsa that he has 40 eppvlcfl0ns thar
are knoun and Is 2 concealed quanfIfv 4,