Evening star., 1916-07-31
Senator Walsh Says Justice
Was Nominated to Save His
Party and Not the Country.
TALKS ON AMENDMENT
TO BAR FEDERAL JUDGES
Senator Townsend's Reply Eulogizes
G. o. P. Candidates Public Career
and Criticises the President.

In a speech today on the Thomas con-
stitutonal amendment TO make federal
judges ineligible to any elective office,
Senator Walsh. democrat. declared that
former Justice Hughes was nominated for
the presidency by the republicans ito save
his party. not to save the country" and
charged that no more deadly blow ever
had been aimed at the federal judicial
system.
Senator Walsh said II was appropri-
ate to defer action on the proposed
amendment until a calmer time, and
that the election in November would
serve as a referendum on the principle
involved. If Mr.. Hughes were defeat
ed, he said. no political party would be
likely to have the hardihood again to
name as its candidate for President a
member of the Supreme Court, while
if he were elected the republican party
could not stultify itself by submitting
or consenting to the amendment.
Refers to Action in 1912.
The senator referred to Justice Hughes
declnation TO be a candidate for Presi-
deRt in 1912 and to his interview at that
time on the subject made public by Rabbi
Stephen S. Wise
Senator Walsh said that it was only
just to assume that Justice Hughes nomf-
nation came to him unsought and that
he had no hand in the well ordered pre-
convention campaign that was conducte d
in his behalf, but that his success in
the election would excite hopes In the
breasts of men less rigidly scrupulous
and it would. as a practical matter, be
tnrT ~ n
man who had remained discreetly but
expectantly silent and the man who had
actively connlved at efforts to secure his
nomination
Senator Townsend's Reply.
Senator Townsend of Michigan re-
Piled to Senator Walsh. 1T is a COM
pliment to Mr.. Hughes that no one
has raised any other issue against
him" Senator Townsend said He has
never pandered to classes or to public
sentiment, but has adhered to his duty
as he saw it. The public career of MIR.
Hughes stands alone In American his
tory
He was chosen to lead his party
against the opposition of the So
called politicians, and his first act after
receiving the nomination was to resign
from the Supreme Court bench.
He accepted because he believed the
people called him and because he he
leved a national emergency existed
Such an emergency does exist and has
existed for two years and a half
Calls President vacillating.
Our President has been entirely va
cillating in his conduct. No one ever
knows how he is going to meet a prob
lem We are at peace in spite of the
President and not because of him. If
we had President who meant what
he said and spoke the true spirit of
Americanism we would not have been
so close to the European war
we have interfered in Mexico and
because of that we are in our present
deplorable plight today. The President
has not kept US out of war with Mexico
Justice Hughes has sustained the
best precedents of the Supreme Court
and accepted the nomination because
he realized that this is a republic He
believes that the people of the United
States have right to select whatever
leaders they choose. They selected Jus
tice Hughes without any assistance OF
suggestion from him. He will answer
for himself. He is attacked here not for
anything he has done, not for any
swerving from duty, but because he
happens to be a formidable candidate
for President of the United States