Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1885-11-12
Mr.. BAKER,s DETECTION.

Mr.. BAKER'S DETECTION.
Why he Leaves tGs Democratic Party
1t 10 ~ Orsanisatiss without Great
Principles, that Aims to Place Labor.
ers - . Level with Paapers, that
Does Not Possess the Courage Of Its
Convictions, and Oaly Obstructs
Republican Acasu, e to Adopt Then
Afterward.
We to-day publish the full text Of
the letter Of the lion. George W.
Baker, Of Eureka, New, announcing
his withdrawal from the Democratic
ranks. 1t will be found most inter-
ssting reading by all who, like the
talented gentleman referred to,
happen to be in the Democratic RACKS
without any special reason for being
there rather than in the ranks of the
opposing party.
EUREKA, New, Nov. 2, 1885.
Hon. J. 9. Haeerman. Chairman Of tle Dsne-
cratic State Central Ccmmittse--
DEAR Sir: l herewith hand you
my resignation Is = member of your
committee from Eureka county, and
it 10 doubtless in order that should
briefly assign to you my reasons for
thus retiring not only from the com.
mittee, but also from the party, with
which l have affiliated for the past
twenty years.
1t is fact, verified from the ex.
perlence Of mankind, that our early
educAtion is in most instances the
chart by which our political course in
after life is navigated; and having
been schooled in the Democratic creed
in boyhood, and taught to revere the
grand old traditions OF the party and
its ancient leaders, I was launched
into manhood Democrat, without T.
ercising much choice in my political
preferences, and was ever admonished
that the Republican party was no,
only the outgrowth Of sectional antag.
onisms, but dangerous to the per.
petuity of free institutions. Instilled
with this prejudice, and having en-.
tered the Democratic camp, it is no,
an easy matter for one to sever hi.
connections and party affiliations
even though his better Judgment may
dictate the wisdom of such a course
l have for many years felt that the
Democratic party was not the en-
lightened and progressive party Of tn,
country. That it had no great under
lying principles upon which it coule
60 before the country and demand
the respectful consideration OF tn
American people. 1t has been
for a quarter of a century, party o
traditions; its stock in trade consist
ing chiefly in achievements Of its pas
leaders; but am persuaded that nj
party can long survive simply upor
its history, and in this respect Their
are many pages of Democratic histor,
that every Democrat who is = lover o
his country and its free institution
would gladly erase from the tablets o
his memory.
; Again, the Democratic party TO
, the past 20 years, instead of Adopting
a policy Of its own founded upo
some living principle, has simply acte'
the part OF an obstruetiouist, assailinI
year after year the progressive poll.
. OF its Republican rival, and then quie,
ly accepting and acting upon tia
8 policy when it became an accom-
plished fact. Moreover, if it can b
truthfully said that the Democrat
;, party has any policy which it has tn
Il manhood to assert, it is one aimed I
( the destruction of the national r:
sources OF the country, mensce
our industrial interests, and one whlc
if carried into effect would place o.
laboring classes upon level with t.
g pauper workshops of the Old World.
e While it must be admitted tn
i, such a measure known as the "Mo,r
son bill" was defeated in Democr
j. tic House in the last Congress, 1t mu
e also be horne in mind that u great nj
Il jority of the Democrats supported Il
e measure, aud it would no doubt ha,
. passed that body were it not for Il
. fear they entertained of its effect upe
u tho country just before PRESIDENT
It canvass, thus demonstrating that upo
g this, as we'll as most every other que
?. ton, the Democratic party, threue
its representatives, does not posse
the courage of its convictions.
n With such a party must hence
n forth decline to affiliate, and prefer
" pitch my tent in the Republican cam
n whose past history may be referred
r. with honest pride, and whose prese'
4" policy is in keeping with its record
l. just, live and progressive.
{. am also convinced that the pole
of the present Administration, SO +
As the same can be controlled by
Chief Executive and his subordinate
means the destruction of our par
l. mount industry in this State, and is
It league with the bankers OF W.
s+.s.t and tho hondholders of [