The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-06-12

he accepted chair as professor of law
at Cornell university. Two years later,
however, he was back practicing law III
| New York
The public first heard of Mr.. Hughes
in 1905 and 1906, scarcely ten years
ago. 1t was in those years that he
served, first as counsel for the Stevens
legislative committee investigating the
gas companies of New York and then as
counsel for the Armstrong legislative
committee for the investigation of insur-
ance business in New York. In the first
investigation Mr.. Hughes made reputa-
ton but it attracted little attention
outside of New York City. In the insur-
ance investigation, however, he UNI
earthed nationwide scandals, and the
whole country followed the dramatic
story which he revealed.
Before his investigation was half fin
ished, however, Republican leaders seized
upon the record which he had made to
carry their party to victory. The New
York City Republican convention nomi
mated him for mayor, but he declined be-
cause he had not finished the insurance
investigation. The next year, when W.
r. Hearst was nominated for governor by
both the Democrats and the Independ-
ence league, Mr.. Hughes was selected by
the Republicans as the man to defeat
the fusion candidate. and he was elect
ed, the only Republican on the state
ticket who was not defeated at the cleo
ton.
Throughout his administration as gov !
ernor he was at loggerheads with the Re |
publican organization. He first urged the
of the public service commission |
law, telling the legislature that rail
road commission paid by the railways
and with only advisory powers was mad
squate. Little attention was paid to the
proposed measure by the legislature and
Governor Hughes took the question to
,he people. He stumpd the state for his
,ill, and finally the legislature respond
d. Hardly had the bill become a law be-
ore the legislature passed a two-cent
passenger fare measure Gov. Hughes
'etoed it on the ground that the legisla
ure should not deal arbitrarily with mat
ers requiring investigation, particular
y when it had just provided machinery
or investigating such matters and had
ranted power to relieve situation as
ustice and reason might demand. He !,
lso succeeded in having measure
gainst racetrack betting enacted, result
ne in the closing of important tracks in
Jew York state and thus affecting racing
throughout the whole country.
With the record of his first term be-
ind him. GOV. Hughes was considered
L. for 41r 4
al nomination in 1908. President !
oosevelt threw his power in favor OF
is secretary of war. Mr.. Taft, and Gov. I
ughes. instead. was re-nominated for c
overnor and reelected. He achieved Y
idespresd reputation as campaign |;
,eaker by opening the Republican cam <
aign at Youngstown. o. 1t was during
IS second term in 1910 that President =
aft appointed him to the supreme court :
inch.
As member of the court his clearness
comprehension and his ability of con
Sc statement led to his selection by the a
lief Justice in even the first years of his
rviee 10 write many of the most impor- L
mt decisions rendered by the court. :
mong these were the so-called state
le cases. the pure ttuu law u'NtSAbh "ho
e Virginia-West Virginia debt case.
Mr. Hughes was married in New York
" December 5, 1855, to Antoinette, \
tighter of Walter s. Carter, and has
ur children, Charles Evans Hughes. lr.
lien, Catherine and Elizabeth Hughes.
He was for several years president OF
e Brown University club OF New York, {
trustee of Brown university and trus-
of the Fifth avenue Baptist church
New York.
He is member of the lawyers, Re
blican. university. union league and
rnell university clubs and the Amer
n. New York state and New York
" bar associations. Though in official
) Mr.. Hughes has been known as
"a worker, in private life he is buoy
!. fond of books OF all kinds, music
golf. besides being a mountin climb n
who has been over most of Switzer- Az
d on foot.