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The Short Biography of Charles Evans Hughes

The political life of Charles Evans Hughes started with him serving as the 36th Governor of New York from 1907-1910. He then went on to assume the role as United States Secretary and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. By 1930, Charles Evans Hughes earned the title as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, which he served from 1930-1941. His studies as a lawyer lead him to uncover the mishandling of the New York utility industry which aided him in securing the office as Governor in 1906. 

Charles Hughes’ role as Chief Justice started with the replacement of William Taft in 1941. As he assumed his new role, many parties argued that he was too sociable to be credited with the common attitude associated with operating a big business. However, under his term as Chief Justice he proved to be a great intellectual leader, assuming the role of Chief Justice twice. 

Charles Hughes is given the credit for maintaining the ability of the Supreme Court to operate as an independent system. One of the main battles of Charles Evans Hughes was to denounce a Bill by President Roosevelt noted as the Reorganization Bill. Theodore Roosevelt was worried about the ages of the judges that were in office of the Supreme Court. The Reorganization Bill introduced the aspect of adding one new judge for every judge that existed in office over the age of 70. Charles Hughes realized that the implementation of this Bill would put the Supreme court under control of the Democratic Party. He addressed this matter in a publicly published letter written by the Judiciary Committee stating that all claims by Roosevelt were exaggerated and false. 

Under the guidance of Charles Hughes, the implementation of freedom of the press through the Near v. Minnesota  case was established. In this case there was a Minnesota law that targeted the local press calling their articles scandalous and malicious. Charles Hughes provided a ruling in this case that prohibited all prior laws that restrained press publication unconstitutional.

Charles Hughes was also associated with a number of New Deal measures stemming from the negative impact of the economy during the Great Depression. Under his ruling he wrote a series of opinions involving better business practices. The cases of NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. and the West Coast Hotel v. Parrish concluded rulings that were applied in favor of New deal measures.

During his reign as Chief Justice, Charles Evan Hughes was admired for his views and rulings of the Supreme Court. Some individuals are quoted as saying he has exceedingly intellectual and socially gifted, which complemented his great ability to pass fair judgments. Many of his rulings exercised implications of the Constitution and its fair measures of justice.

Charles Hughes was a steadfast and diligent judge who passed twice as many Constitutional rulings than any other member of his Court.  Charles Evans Hughes’ career as Chief Justice was accepted by many who enjoyed his concise and efficient rulings over the Supreme Court system.

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