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."

Hughes aggressively opposed gambling on horse racing, arguing that the practice conflicted with the state constitution's prohibition against gambling of any form. He also put forth proposals to address the condition of resident aliens, improve the state's probation system, control the spread of tuberculosis, and regulate the packaging and sale of drugs. Lastly, he strengthened the state's existing environmental conservation policies.

Hughes resigned the governorship in 1910 when President William Howard Taft nominated him for a seat on the United States Supreme Court. In 1916, he mounted an unsuccessful campaign to defeat incumbent Woodrow Wilson for the presidency. He later served as secretary of state under Presidents Harding and Coolidge, after which he served as judge of the Permanent Court of International Justice. In 1930, President Herbert Hoover nominated Hughes for the position of chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, a seat which he held until his retirement in 1941. Hughes devoted the remainder of his life to his family and social causes that were dear to him. He died in 1948 at the age of eighty-six.

For further information regarding the life and political career of Charles Evans Hughes, see "Hughes, Charles Evans." In Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, vol. 3, ed. Robert Sobel and John Raimo, 1095-1096. Westport, Ct.: Meckler Books, 1978; and Klump, Robert A. "Hughes, Charles Evans." In The Encyclopedia of New York State, ed. Peter Eisenstadt, 748. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 2005.

From the guide to the Central subject and correspondence files, 1905-1910, (New York State Archives)