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

TETHILE Justice Hughes was Governor
w of New York he was invited to address
the Republican club of New York city on
the issues of the presidential campaign of
1908 in order that those who were booming
him for the Presidency might know where
he stood He made the address on the eve
ming of January 81. The following extracts
from it are pertinent to conditions as they
exist today and reveal the views of MI
Hughes on questions now before the
country:
/ have avoided gratutous discussions of
questions foreign to my official duty But
when, in Justice to those who have honored
me with their confidence and to the party
which, aswe all desire, shall act freely and
with full information, it becomes duty to
speak | have no desire to remain silent.
Nor should l in any event care to preserve
availability at the expense of candor'
The Party of National Honor
The Republican party is the party Of
stability and the party of progress. Its fun
damental policies have determined the
course of the nations history. The Repub-
lican party has maintained the national
honor and under its direction the Ameri-
can diplomacy has attained the highest lev
els of honorable purpose and distinguished
HCllltNGlHtHt- lu blNt'N 'lsh''iNH - N''N i'''
are the priceless possession of the Amerl-
can people The Republican party is
charged today with a weighty RESPONSE
bility.
our government is based upon the prln-
ciples of indvidualism and not upon those
of Socialism. We do not seek to multiply
the activities of government so as to bring
about vexatious interference with liberty
or to restrict legitimate enterprise. This is
a representative government and not pure
democracy. The latter would be unwOrk-
able in n country of such magnitude. EN-
cept with regard to fundamental questions
on matters comparatively simple it is I'M
practicable for the electorate direetly>to ex-
press its views.
In this country progress cannot be made
save i'm harmony with our constitutional
system The Consultation in its entirety
must be observed, The power derived from
the people must be exercised upon the con-
ditions which they have laid down. We
must recognize the division of powers be-
tween the Federal and State Governments.
Having stated these principles, l shall
define briefly my position with regard to
certain particular questions
Conservation of National Resources
There is no matter Of greater Importance
than the conservation and development OF
national resources. II is of the most urgent
necessity that out forests should be pro-
tected and that these priceless treasures
should be preserved from ruthless destrue-
tion All the property OF the people should
be safely guarded from spoliation.
am also deeply interested in the deyel-
onment OF inland waterways to provide in
creased and, adequate facilities for our
growing commerce. We should further do
an in our power to extend the arm of pro-
ductiye activity through irrigation and
suitable plans of reclamation.
do not believe in governmental own
ershin Of railroads But regulation OF
Interstate transportation IS essential 10 pro
feet the people from unjust discrimination
and to secure safe, adequate ana hnparllal
service upon reasonable terms in accord
ance with-the obligations OF common car
riers In order 10 have supervision which
is both thorough and Just an administration
board Is necessary. I may assume that my
stttt,,de with regard to this matter Is so
vyeIl understood through my recommenda-
ions IN relation to the enactment Of the
public service commissions law in this State
MAJ a. extended statement Is unnecessary.
.anproye Of the recent extension Of the
autboritv Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission by what IS known, as the rate bill
and 4 beiieye that the commission should
nave the most ample powers for purposes
~ Investigation and supervision and for
making rules and orders which viii enable
h to deal to the fullest extent possible
within constitutional limits with interstate
transportation IN an It's phases. This Is q
just policy
clarified ana made more expllcit, The laa