The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-02-04
Exit Taft, Reenter Hughes

The resignation of William H. Taft from the post Of
chief justice of the federal supreme court ana tne pfo'ip'
appointment OF Charles Evans Hughes TO the VACANCY
thus created constitute twin political sensations OF Inc
firsb magnitude today.
In their personality and in their connection with the
government since shortly after the SpanSh-Anerlcan
war. these two men have constantly doomed large IN the
affairs of the nation. If Taft had a term In the presl-
dency while Hughes missed that honor by the oe1ect'o'
of California in 1916. the New Workers. prestige as one o
the biggest men of the country nevertheless helo 1if'"
and brought him great opportunities later Tor furtnef
important public service.
It is interesting to recall that in his defeat for the presi-
dency, Hughes was heir to a political legacy growing out
of Tafts attempt to succeed himself In the White house,
which brought on the rump candidacy Of Roosevelt anc
johnson on the Bull Moose ticket. It was the de1ectloh
OF the johnson wing of the Republican party IN Cah-
fcrnia that cost the former New York governor the Su-
preme honor of public place in the United States.
Now by the whirligig of Tafts retirement ne Is raised
to the highest judicial honor in the government.
Hughes. in fact, has had many exits and entrances IN
the political drama of the United States in the last 80
years.
Once before Charles Evans Hughes sat on the federal
supreme bench, but as an associate justice. 1t was the
summons to lead his party in the 1916 campaign tor the
presidency that called him away from that congenial
labor. When he lost because the star OF Woodrow WI
son was still ascendant. he found plenty of demand for
his services to keep him in the public eye during the
wears when the country was participant in the World war.
Then when peace came and the Wilson policies to tie
America up with the affairs Of Europe caused the coun-
try to turn to Warren G. Harding as its pilot IN steering
the course of the nation through the tempest-toSsed
waters of the after-var period, it is a tribute to the
craftsmanship of Justice Hughes that he was asked to
assume the difficult post of secretary of state in the
Ohioan's cabinet. He was the man above all others
thought to have the necessary caliber for the admlnistra-
ton of the nations delicate international affairs.
AS secretary Of state, Hughes evolved the plan Of the
first naval limitation conference, the five-power Wash
ington arms parley. The idea amazed the world
There was no parallel to it. It is q striking coincidence
that now when the London naval conference is on, he
is again recalled to a great public position. THIS con-
ference is in a way a sequel to the Washington conference
which failed to cover the Hughes arms proposals fully.
The central feature of his plan was adopted. the $50
ratio. Hughes was presiding officer of the Washington
conference and it was largely through his guidance that
as much as was adopted was put through by this coun
try.
William H. Taft owes his place in history to that
former North Dakotan, Theodore Roosevelt. It was their
friendship that caused Roosevelt to take the Ohioan into
his cabinet as secretary of war In 1904. Previously Taft
had taken a prominent part In the handling OF the prob
lens that arose out of the accession Of the Philippines
in the Sapnish- American war. His activities In thi
Roosevelt administration led up to his nomination to-
the presidency in succession to Roosevelt. Then CANE
the great feud that separated these two men. Will
Roosevelt opposing his former friend when he sought
second term. to lose to Woodrow Wilson in the three
cornered fight between the Democratic, the Republican
and Bull Moose party. The resignation that removes tn
Ohioan from the supreme justiceship and places Hughes
there thus is linked up with the most momentous po
litical history OF the last 30 years.