interest of the people, and not in behalf of any special interest or for selfish purposes, and not for partisan advantage save as fidelity and efficiency may have their due reward in public confidence. . . . If there is one thing more than another for which I desire the present administration to stand, it is for disinterestedness in public service."

It was in this same speech that the Governor indulged in a personal vein of talk on other matters. "I do not seek any public office," he said, and then added these memorable words:

"To me public office means a burden of responsibility —a burden of incessant toil at times almost intolerablewhich, under honorable conditions and at the command of the people, it may be a duty and even a pleasure to assume, but it is far from being an object of ambition. I have not sought nor shall I seek, directly or indirectly, to influence the selection or the vote of any delegate to any convention."

Here are one or two more intimate confessions:

"I want simply to be Governor during my term.

"I have asked no man for favors, but, on the contrary, I have constantly insisted that the work of the government shall be carried on, not with reference to the selfish advantage of any one, but exclusively in the interest of the people."

Facing an audience of Republican Club

politicians he frankly stated and squarely answered the charge that he had neglected the party politicians in appointments to office. It had been hinted in a half-serious way that he regarded political activity as a disqualification for public office. Here is the Governor's irrefragable reply:

"I esteem those who in an honorable manner work for the party. Political activity, by virtue of the experience and knowledge of affairs gained in it, so far from being a disqualification, may be a most important qualification for office. But I want that political activity to be of such a character as to leave a man free and independent in the dignity of his manhood to perform the duties of office, if appointed, unembarrassed by improper influences and unaffected by accumulated obligations."

Again, he tells these politicians that he does "not aim to be a party boss." Nay, such is his conception of the duties of the governorship that he would not think it proper to indulge even in political management. And, to crown all, he declares that "as a party man he will serve his party best in office by adhering strictly to his duties and maintaining the highest standards of impartial administration."

And yet this efficient servant of the State and trusted popular leader never forgets to

pay his tribute to the party to which he belongs :

"The Republican party has been a party of ideals, of masterful leaders, and of constructive power. We are proud that we are members of it."

It has been said that Governor Hughes, if not too self-reliant, is too chary of receiving advice. But it must be remembered that when he was elected Governor on the Republican ticket all the other State officials elected were Democrats. Furthermore, the leaders of his own party were in the main either indifferent or hostile to him. Thus he found himself in a new, difficult, and vastly responsible position without natural advisers, and he was compelled "to play a lone hand." The manner he had to assume for self-protection gave rise to the silly report that he was cold and unsympathetic. His friends know what a caricature this is of a naturally friendly, kind-hearted, and affable gentleman. Even the critics are now discovering their mistake. And the Governor is gradually discovering whom he can trust. Gradually, too, the old leaders have come to him, and he has listened patiently to their recommendations, though reserving to his own judgment and conscience the right

and duty of final decisions. Of course, his situation is different from that of a President of the United States, who has a Cabinet to advise him on all matters, and Senators to make recommendations on appointments that have no force without their consent and approval. Nevertheless, Governor Hughes has made excellent appointments, and as a Governor who has been at once a public servant and a public leader he has made amazingly few mistakes. Indeed, I do not hesitate to affirm that, though our State has had illustrious names in the list of its Governors, including the names of Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt, it has never had a greater Governor than Charles Evans Hughes.

ITHACA, N. Y.

L

Public Office and Party
Principles

"We make our appeal to the common-sense of the American people which has never failed to express itself decisively in a great crisis. We are pledged to just reforms in the American manner, in accordance with the genius of our institutions, and with love of truth and even-handed justice."-From Governor Hughes's speech accepting his nomination for Governor, October 3, 1906.