New York (State). Governor (1907-1910 : Hughes)

Charles Evans Hughes was born on April 11, 1862 in Glens Falls, New York. He married Antoinette Carter in 1888 and together the couple raised four children. He graduated from Columbia Law School in 1884 and later served as professor of law at Cornell University. In 1905, Hughes gained valuable insight that would serve him in future years by leading an inquiry into malpractices of the New York City utilities industry and the New York life insurance scandals.

Hughes defeated publisher William Randolph Hearst to gain the governorship in 1906 and was reelected in 1908. As governor, he was known for his progressive legislative program, which included labor and welfare legislation as well as administrative reforms. Another major focus of his legislative program resulted in the establishment of two public service commissions (one for New York City and the other for the remainder of the state), both of which were endowed with strong investigative and rate-fixing authority over utility and transportation companies. Hughes augmented his legislative legacy by successfully advocating a workmen's compensation law that established one of the first social insurance plans in the nation. He also supported amendment of the Executive Law by insertion of a section (known as the Moreland Act) authorizing the governor or persons appointed by him "to examine and investigate the management and affairs of any department, board, bureau, or commission of the state."

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