August 1, 1916 - Hughes shouted, “I stand squarely for votes for women."

This letter is perhaps one of the best letters Joe wrote about politics of the time. He was really honored to go and hear Charles E Hughes in New York. He was running against Woodrow Wilson. We all know what happened in the end but it is really interesting to have a glimpse into the process 100 years ago.

Tuesday morning

My dear Helen,

My hand is rather wobbly this morning, and if you are able to read this letter, it merely shows skill on your part in deciphering.

It’s all because I have just heard from New Haven, that Louis was operated upon, and naturally no other news so soon. My brother and Doctor Rosen went down, leaving me here, and I was very much alarmed for a while because they found some bands on his intestines that had to be removed too. But since my brother phoned that he is returning, I know that Louis must be comfortable, and hope that in a few weeks, he will be home, well and happy.

Of course you looked for a letter today. I have given one reason already for not writing; but I have a better one.

Oh yes. I did not phone your mother Sunday night. Our train was late in arriving, and I made the home train by a nose. I had to run from one end of the station to the other. We pulled in 8:58 and the other left at 9.

But yesterday I was in New York again and called up the house, making satisfactory explanation. Early yesterday morning, while in Shelton, Judge Dillon invited me to be his guest in New York for last night to attend the notification of Hughes at Carnegie Hall. He had a box, and you can guess the first time whether the invitation was accepted. We arranged to leave Bridgeport at 4 and my idea was to write in the afternoon. But on getting to the office found a full days work that kept me in the City Court up to within ten minutes before train time.

On arriving in New York we dined at the Astor. There we met Mr. Hughes, Gov. Whitman, Senator Harding of Ohio, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge and others. At eight o’clock we arrived at Carnegie Hall and were escorted to our box. On entering the tremendous audience that had packed the hall began a riotous outburst of applause. I calmly mopped my perpersweated brow, straightened out my tuxedo, bowed and sat down, not in the least disturbed by the ovation. They continued to applaud till I rose again. Yes, I might add that T. Roosevelt and daughter arrived in the adjoining box at the same time I did. I’ll tell you something about that man later, but I can’t imagine his presence had anything much to do with the applause. Of course someone yelled “We’re with Teddy” and pandemonium again broke loose. Do you suppose they referred to him?

When Hughes arrived the noise was deafening. The auditorium was decorated with flags and banners of each of the several states. A military band furnished refreshments musically.

Mrs. Hughes and family had a special box and were naturally the cynosure of all.

The sea of upturned perspiring faces interrupted with applause frequently. The stage contained many celebrities. The Pinchots, Senators, Joe Cannon and more. If you threw a stone you’d hit a Congressman or a Judge.

Hughes’ speech of acceptance was wonderful. Such eloquence, such sarcasm, such wit, and such logic, all combined was not only worth a trip from Bridgeport, but one across the country.

Afterward, we repaired to the Hotel for a reception.

During the address, Roosevelt was watched every moment. Everyone was anxious to see how the sentiments were received by him.

He frequently applauded, but it was a short choppy, one, two, three, clap and hands folded.

But when Hughes shouted, “I stand squarely for votes for women”, pandemonium broke loose. I’ve used that twice, but it’s good. Roosevelt was in ecstasy.

At a suggestion that tasted of preparedness or strict neutrality, he smiled and violently nodded assent.

When Hughes said we a standing army and navy to police our nation as essentially as we need policeman and fireman to protect our cities, I heard T.R. say “attaboy, bully, that’s Americanism”.

But when you read the morning’s papers you’ll get a real description of the proceedings. There were many incidents to long remember, but I shall not take you away from your swimming for their narration. It must have been somewhere near 346 degrees last night, they said, but the thermometer said about 93 degrees.

Well, a swim would have been fine, but I didn’t care for the idea of going to any of the large baths where probably multitudes of men would be trying to cool off like myself, so I took the midnight train back. It was a great relief, I’ll tell you again, to get here and find everything so cool and refreshing and when I arrived at my mother’s, with the vine growing over the veranda and the stars quietly blinking, with now and then a cricket swizzling, I almost said “This is the life.” And as I rang and waited to go in, old tabby must have heard, and she came over, sleepily dragging herself along purring at my trouser leg, as much as to say “ ooh, late again, and twice in concussion; you’d better keep regular hours” – yawning. I picked her u, carried her down the cellar to her place of abode, tucked her in; but couldn’t kiss her good night. And when I arose in the morning, I was reminded, as tho I needed, to keep in touch with New Haven. That brings me exactly where I began; doesn’t it?

I told your mother that I anticipated going up again Saturday, what do you think of the idea? Of course, if they have no room, that would settle it; and I’d simply stay home and visit Louis, which I intend doing tomorrow too.

But if you think they’ll have some accommodations, I’ll try the journey. The same room I have would be agreeable, if they have nothing better; for you know, it isn’t the hostelry nor even the country that I go on such a tedious trip for.

This letter is long enough, I imagine, to cause you to feel that whether the women are worrying about whether you’re lovely or not, for the time being perhaps you might not be. And don’t forget to remember me to Florence and Lillie Brice.

Sincerely,

Joe

This letter shines a bright light on politics then and in a strange way politics now. 

Below are two articles that I found on line in reference to the event Joe attended in New York City. 

The next letter is on August 10.