Pima-Maricopa County AZ Archives Biographies.....Hughes, L. C. 1843 - 
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Author: McFarland & Poole

p. 598

  GOVERNOR L. C. HUGHES.* Born in 1843, of wealthy parents, who had settled in
Philadelphia, L. C. Hughes was left an orphan at the early age of two years.
Having spent a number of years on a farm, he took to the machinist's trade.
During the time he was thus engaged came the declaration of war, and following 
the patriotic impulses which Lincoln's appeal to the young men of the country
aroused, he enlisted in the One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Volunteers. After
two years of the hardships which active service brought in its trail, he was
discharged on account of disability. After partial recovery he joined Knapp's
Pittsburg Battery, this time answering to the summons for the defense of the
National Capital. The need for further service over he returned to Pittsburg and
worked at the machinist's trade again, at the same time attending night school
in preparation for an academic course, which he took at Meadville. Even at this
early age the individuality of the man was shown. It will probably be news to
even his most intimate acquaintance in Arizona to learn that he is one of the
men who in 1865 first circulated petitions addressed to Congress to adopt the
eight hour system in all public work. In '65 and '66 he took a very active part
in the labor movement at Pittsburg and was entrusted with the circulation and
management of a petition asking Congress to establish an eight hour law in all
government work. Eight thousand signatures to the petition were obtained. This
was the beginning of the eight hour movement. Then he devoted himself to writing
and discussing the various phases of the labor question. Some of the plans
originated through those lectures have since come into operation were conceived
by him. For example, he contributed a series of articles on the subject of
industrial co-operation, claiming that this is the only solution of the labor
problem, and this principle has been adopted by many of the largest firms in the
country. He also founded the first co-operative store in Pittsburg on what is
known as the Rochdale plan. His activity in these movements brought him into
close contact with "Father" Upchurch, who founded the Ancient Order of United
Workmen. He assisted in founding the first lodge of that famous organization,
Jefferson Lodge No. 1, at Meadville, Pa. The order was first started with the
idea of bringing about a federation of the labor interests of the country, an
idea which has now been practically carried into effect through other
organizations.

  After his academic course he read law with the firm of Derickson & Brawley of
Meadville, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar. Hard study hard work and the
hardships of war undermined a robust constitution and Governor Hughes was
compelled, on the advice of his physician, to seek a milder climate than that in
which he was living. Hence he came to Arizona, settling at Tucson.

  Here he began the practice of law with well merited success. From 1871 to 1880
he served two terms as district attorney, two terms as probate judge and
ex-officio superintendent of public schools of Pima County and one term as
attorney-general. In 1880 he gave up a lucrative legal practice in order to
enter the field of journalism. He founded the "Weekly Star" in '77, the first
Democratic journal published in Arizona, and two years later he founded the
daily. With the starting of the "Star" came the birth of the Democratic party.
While aggressive then, as it has been ever since, in politics, the "Star" did
not neglect those matters in which all parties could take a hand.

  At this period the Apache Indian question was the one burning problem of the
hour. The settlers were being murdered, property destroyed, and none were safe
save in the settlements or around the military posts. From its first issue the
"Star" advocated the policy which was adopted. Day by day it pointed out that
the only true and permanent solution of the Indian problem was in their removal
to the Indian Territory, or some other place at a sufficient distance from the
Territory as would prevent their return. By keeping this problem constantly
before the people the "Star" eventually brought it to the position where the
entire press of the country was compelled to take it up.

  But for five long years the "Star" stood alone in advocating the policy of
removal; in order the better to aid in calling the attention of the East to the
subject Governor Hughes secured the agency of the Associated Press. Every fresh
Indian outbreak was followed by a meeting. Resolutions were passed and
transmitted to Washington and at the same time spread throughout the country
through the medium of the Associated Press. On President Cleveland being elected
for the first time resolutions were adopted in every portion of the Territory
calling on him to do something to relieve the people from the repeated attacks
of the murdering Apaches. Governor Hughes went to Washington as the bearer of
these resolutions and undertook the duty at his own expense. He laid the
petitions before Mr. Cleveland and made an earnest appeal in behalf of the
people. For this purpose he paid several visits to the executive mansion.
President Cleveland showed an unusual interest in the subject and before the
close of his term the policy of removal was inaugurated. General Nelson A. Miles
was assigned to the duty; the Apache question was soon settled and the murderous
tribes of Apaches were far beyond the limits of Arizona Territory. No one but
those who lived in Arizona in those terrible days knows what the settlement of
the Indian question meant.

  This one evil removed the "Star" took up another which Governor Hughes
regarded as no less an enemy of good government and peace. This was the liquor
question. Upon this matter the views of the Governor are extreme. It is one of
the social problems upon which he knows no half measures. He began a war upon
the saloon and gambling element which he has continued to this day. The fight
meant- much in the way of self-sacrifice from a financial standpoint, but the
Governor determined to make the sacrifice. From that time on there was waged
against him an unceasing war. In desiring to destroy the liquor traffic the
"Star" became a pronounced champion of woman suffrage, in order to give, as Mr.
Hughes has said in public speeches, the mothers of Arizona the right to protect
their children against the temptations of drink. The feeling of the territory
with regard to woman suffrage is shown by the fact that the last Legislature
passed a suffrage bill which was defeated by only one vote in the council. He
claims "that as woman is admitted to the gallows, to the jail and to the tax
roll she should be admitted to the ballot box." While most men may regard his
views on these matters extreme, they cannot help admiring the principle of a man
who is willing to show faith in his convictions by such sacrifices as those
which he has made.

  In politics Governor Hughes was educated as a Republican. Shortly after the
war, however, he visited the South and felt that the policy being carried out by
the Republican party was not such that he could any longer support it, and in
the campaign of Seymour and Blair he cast his lot with the Reform party.

  In all his work of reform he has been encouraged and assisted by his wife,
who, by the way, claims Pennsylvania as her home. Miss Josephine Brawley—that
was her maiden name—belongs to one of the most prominent political families in
Western Pennsylvania. They were married in Meadville, Pa., in 1868. Of the
marriage there are two children, Miss Gertrude B. Hughes, who recently graduated
in music and elocution from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, and
John Hughes, who is twenty-one years of age.

  Education is one of the matters upon which Governor feels as strongly as he
does upon any subject yet mentioned. He aided in establishing the public schools
in the Territory, while Mrs. Hughes has justly received the title of the mother
of the Arizona public school system, having founded the first public school for
girls among Arizona people. She is also president of the Womans Christian
Temperance Union of the Territory. In her many charitable undertakings she is
joined by her husband. A helping hand is given with equal readiness to churches
of all creeds, for Mrs. Hughes and Governor Hughes believe that a community
without religion is bereft of the most powerful agency of civilization. They
have one purpose —the improvement of their fellows, and are supporters of every
institution which can bring about this result.

  The Governor's policy when in office was one which met with the hearty
approval of the people. In all his appointments he has had regard to one thing
in applicants—merit, moral worth and general fitness. He has shown that he was
determined to ignore factions and cliques and to pursue that line of conduct
which was for the best interests of the people. This was the course which he
pursued to the end, and the people are to be congratulated upon the wisdom
displayed by President Cleveland in selecting so worthy a man for the highest
position in the Territory.

*Arizona Republican, August, 1893.


Additional Comments:
From:

A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by
McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896

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