New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-21
AN INDEPENDENT FOR HUGHES
Mr. George Haven Putnam Weakness the Wilson
Administration That His Support the Republican
Canddate-The Fatheand Issue.

viction that Mr.. Wilson was, in matters af-
fecting business. an unsafe leader and dan
gerous ruler. His persistence in pushing. in
opposition to the protests OF the Chamber Of
Commerce and Of business men generally, the
absurd shipping bill IA bill that has not even
the merit of being in line with oldtime
Democratic policy, as to the inadvisability Of
connecting government with business). is per-
haps the most distinctive example Of a dan
gerous subjectivity.
Judge Hughes has carried out with excep-
tional efficiency and assured integrity OF pur
pose and of action and distinctive success
all of the responsibilities that have been
placed upon him. He has had experience in
executive work. and he has given evidence
Of possessing not only trained mind, but
judicial temperament. Independents who,
like myself. are believers in free trade will
have the annoyance in supporting Judge
Hughes that they are giving vote In favor
Of the maintenance OF protective system
which they believe to be demoralizing alike
in its influence upon business on the one
hand and upon legislation on the other The
: theory that there can be business advan-
|
the exchange of goods ought not TO be rele-
gated to the limbo of exploded absurdities
But in every election the voter has the op-
portunity not of securing altogether what he
wants, but of securing more nearly what he
wants from the one candidate than from the
other. In my own case, fell into the habit
O. voting for Mckinley whenever the Demo
orats nominated Bryan because the evils of
the protective system seemed 20 me 10 be
much smaller than those of a policy of the
payment of debts, individual and national at
the rate OF 80 cents on the dollar or less
As some Offset TO it's support Of the protec-
tive system the Republican party has the
credit Of having placed in their Cabinets
strong and capable men, with whom their
Presidents have worked In cooperation, and
who have together secured for their admins
trations a dgnifed and forcible policy. The
voters have the right to feel assured that in
the case of the election of Judge Hughes he
will carry on the business of his administra-
ton in cooperation with associates In his
Cabinet of the calibre and ability of Root
Stimson and Roosevelt.
The Independent voters who lay stress
upon the importance of maintaining a forci-
BILE national policy must give consideration
to the objection that the candidacy of Judge
Hughes has secured the approval of Germans
in this country like Niereck, of the Father
land" men who have persstently defended
reasonable actions in the United States. Il
may be said in reply that these Germans are
not able TO point 10 anyNutterance of Judge
Hughes which would give foundation for
their belief that he is likely to be less an
tagonlstc TO their practices and theories than
- President Wilson. IL is difficult to believe
that a Cabinet containing men like Root
and Roosevelt would be likely 10 manage the
policy of the United States in such a fash
ion 10 secure the continued approval Of
Nereck and the "Fatherland." Il is very pos
sble indeed that the support of this German
group for the candidacy of Hughes has been
given with the malicious purpose Of dscred-
iting the Republican candidate with the pa
triotc voters OF the country. In this matter
of the fulflment OF our national obligations
we know that President Wilson and his Cabi-
net have been weak, vacillating and unsuc-
cessful We have a right to hope for better
things from Judge Hughes and from the class
OF advisers whom Judge Hughes will select
II is my decision, therefore, as an indie
pendent who holds that the essential issue in
this election is the defence of the Republic
and the fulflment of our national obliga-
tons. TO give my support 10 the candidate OF
the Republican party.
GEORGE HAVEN PUTNAM.
New York. June 20, 1916.