River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-06-22
Character Sketch
Of Justice Hughes
By James a. Frear, M. C.


was nominated for President, two
leading Democratic members, one
from the South and the other from
the West. expressed to me their per-
sonal views. One said Hughes would
be as ''hard to reach as Wilson is for
us" and the other said Hughes is
an iceberg and Wilson is supremacy
selfish, SO there isn't much choice. "
These opinions come from two men,
both Of whom will doubtless be
found on the stump this fall. extol
ling the virtues of their Democrat
ic leader.
The average Republican is not
brought in contact with President
Wilson, but | know Mr.. Hughes is
cordial, brainy, and fearless, and |
offer in support Of the statement an
experience that speaks for itself, be-
cause it discloses his independence Of
character and high qualifications.
When Hughes was attorney for
the Armstrong Insurance Investigate
ing Committee Of New York, little
over ten years ago, he was examin-
ing Mr.. George Perkins for two or
three days in regard to expendl-
lures by a New York insurance
company, and it appeared IN the
probe that a secret company account
was kept containing a record OF ex-
penditures used for lobbying to in
fuence legislation. Hughes demand
ed production of the original book
and was informed it was in such bad
condition that a certified copy would
have to be furnished him by the
company. Hughes refused to accept
any copy, insisting upon the origin
al, whereupon it was promised to be
forthcoming on the following day.
During that night. however, imper-
alive kilograms from high officials
at Washington went to members OF
the Armstrong Committee, insisting
that the certified copy be accepted,
and urging Hughes to waive the or
iginal.
Against this proposal. next morn
ing Mr.. Hughes protested and re-
fused to proceed with the probe.
The Armstrong investigation then
and there came near an end, through
the disagreement, but finally the
committee, Washington officials and
insurance company, surrendered and
the original book was produced as
Hughes demanded. That book dis
closed the celebrated yellow dog"
fund, contributions made to politi-
cal campaigns, payments to lobbyists
and other expenditures to promote
or prevent legislation and it led to
both federal and state laws prohibit
ing such political contributions or
practices in the future. | have not
related all the particulars connected
with that important incident but suf-
ficient to disclose that Hughes can
not and will not compromise with
what he believes to be wrong.
When Tom Lawson published his
disclosures regarding insurance COM
pany methods of high financiering,
the writer, then a member of our
State Senate, introduced a resolu-
ton urging an investigation. Gov
ernor La Toilette sent message to
the legislature demanding probe
and a subcommittee from the joint
committee was directed to see Mr..
Hughes in New York aud if possible
to secure his services. Before taking
up the probe, Mr.. Ekern, the secre-
tary of the Committee, and the
writer, called upon different people
to get advice, including among the
number, Commissioner Drake and
President Roosevelt in Washington,
the Armstrong Committee, and Mr..
Hughes and District Attorney Je-
rome in New York, and Governor
Gle and Thomas Lawson in Boston.
Incidently we spent four hours with
Lawson and learned many things of
subsequent value. Mr.. Hughes in
New York gave important suggest
ions as to the character and scope
of the Wisconsin investigation, adj
vising us to probe the actual end of
insurance work and complete what
the New York investigation had
opened up with investments and
political activities. Mr.. Hughes