Editing Charles Evans Hughes (section)

===Exposing corrupt insurance companies===

Hughes's success made him a popular public figure in New York, and he was appointed counsel to the [[Armstrong Investigation|Armstrong Insurance Commission]], which investigated the major [[life insurance]] companies headquartered in New York.<ref name="Henretta 2006 124–125">{{harvnb|ps=.|Henretta|2006|pp=124–125}}</ref> His examination of the insurance industry uncovered payments made to journalists and lobbyists as well as payments and other forms of compensation directed to legislators serving throughout the country. His investigation also showed that many top insurance executives had various conflicts of interest and had received huge raises at the same time that dividends to policyholders had fallen. Seeking to remove Hughes from the investigation, Republican leaders nominated him as the party's candidate for Mayor of New York City, but Hughes refused the nomination. His efforts ultimately resulted in the resignation or firing of most of the top-ranking officials in the three major life insurance companies in the United States.<ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Simon|2012|pp=30–36}}</ref> Following the investigation, Hughes convinced the state legislature to bar insurance companies from owning corporate stock, underwriting securities, or engaging in other banking practices.<ref name="Henretta 2006 124–125"/>