ง.

Correspondence with James S. Lehmaier of New York City.

THE REPUBLICAN CLUB OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK 54 and 56 West 40th Street

NEW YORK, January 18, 1908.

HON. CHARLES E. HUGHES,

ALBANY, N. Y.

My Dear Governor:

At a recent meeting of the Republican Club of the City of New York, very largely attended, a resolution was adopted with practical unanimity strongly urging the next Republican National Convention to nominate. you for the office of President of the United States, and to that end inviting the co-operation of Republicans generally.

The president of the Club has appointed a Committee of twenty-five to carry out the purpose of the resolution. The Committee has entered upon the duties assigned to it and its efforts have met with a most gratifying public response.

Under the circumstances, it has seemed to us that some expression from you would be timely.

As Chairman of this Committee and in the hope that

this suggestion may meet with your approval, I write to inquire whether you will meet your fellow members of the Republican Club at its Club-house at such time as may suit your convenience.

Chairman of Committee, Republican Club,
54 West 40th Street, New York City.

My Dear Mr. Lehmaier:

I am

Your letter of the 18th has been received. deeply sensible of the honor conferred upon me by my fellow members of the Republican Club in the passage of the resolution to which you refer, and it will give me pleasure to accept the invitation. In accepting it, it is proper for me to re-state my position :

It is my desire that the sentiment of the party shall have the freest expression, and that such action shall be taken as will be for its best interests.

I do not seek office nor shall I attempt to influence the selection or vote of any delegate. The State administration must continue to be impartial and must not be tributary to any candidacy.

I have no interest in any fractional controversy, and desire above all things that there shall be deliberation, honest expression of the party will, and harmony of effort.

I cannot fail to recognize the great honor which the nomination would confer or the obligation of service which it would impose. Nor should I care to be thought lacking in appreciation of the confidence and esteem which prompt the efforts of those who sincerely desire to bring it about. The matter is one for the party to decide, and whatever its decision I shall be content.

I shall be glad to meet with the members of the Club as you suggest, and to make such further statement as may be appropriate. In view of the engagements already made I do not see how it will be possible to have such a meeting before the evening of January 31st. And if that date suits your convenience, arrangements for the meeting may be made accordingly.

Very truly yours,

CHARLES E. HUGHES.

VI.

Address before the Republican Club of the City of New York, January 31, 1908.

Fellow Members of the Republican Club:

In the adoption of the resolutions which preceded the call of this meeting, you have conferred upon me an honor of which I cannot express adequately my appreciation. It is enhanced by the fact that it comes from old friends and associates-the fellow members of an organization with which it has been my privilege to be identified for twenty years, and from a body of loyal and earnest Republicans whose zeal for the welfare of the Republican party and unselfish devotion to its interests are known throughout the country. I cherish your friendship. I esteem your confidence. And in recognition of both, and of the obligation imposed upon me by your action, I shall define my position.

Since I took office I have sought to make it clear that I would not become involved in

factional strife or use the powers of office to further any personal interest. I am, and have been constantly, solicitous that the administration of the affairs of this State shall not be embarrassed by collateral considerations, and that every question shall be presented and decided upon its merits, unaffected by suggestion of ulterior motives. For this reason I have avoided gratuitous discussion of questions foreign to my official duty. But when, in justice to those who have honored me with their confidence, and to the party which, as we all desire, should act freely and with full information, it becomes a duty to speak, I have no desire to remain silent. Nor should I in any event care to preserve availability at the expense of candor.

The Republican party is the party of stability, and the party of progress. Its fundamental policies have determined the course of the Nation's history. Largely, they are now without serious challenge and are removed from any controversy the issue of which might be regarded as doubtful. They include the policy of Union in opposition to every divisive sentiment or disrupting force. They include the policy of establishing the national credit upon a sure foundation, in opposition to those