Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-10-09
FATE OF A TRAITOR.
DOWNFALL OF TaB MAN WHO SOLD THE
JERSEY DEMOCRATS.
From Speaker Of a State Legislature to Driver Of a
New York Street CE-Dr. Wn.
Bairds Rapid Descent

TRENTON, n. J, October 7 1t ia a
pretty big decline from the position OF
Speaker Of the House Of Assembly in p
State Legislature to the position of driver
on a hOree.car Yet that is what bas
happened to D.. William NJ. Baird, Of
thia State. Aud it was only two years
ago las. winter that Baird presided over
the lower braueh Of theJeTsey Legislature
To-day he 10 driving car on one OF the
New York surface roads. There are plenty
of Jerseymen who think the 6x Speaker
only got what he deserved. They feel sure
shat in this case st least the punishment
fits the crime. No. that Dr.. Baird was 6
criminal; bat be played the role Of traitor
to his party, and that is as good as crime
IN the eyes of the average jersey Dsmc-
crat
Not only was Baird presiding officer Of
the House two years ago, but be finished
his term Of service quite a rich man. De
hes declined rapidly in wealth, as well es
in position. It isn't necessary to indicate
how he got the money be had in such
abundance. Ii is sufficient to say that il
is the common belief that it came as part
Of the bargain by which he sold out Leon
Albeit and the Democratic party, and CIR.
ried ont the plot that resulted in the cleo
tion Of Rufus Blodgett to the United States
Senate.
a brief review Of those events is made
timely by the story OF William Baird's
downfall The Democratic majority il
the Legislature Of 1887 was very slim.
The Republicans had the Senate, and
the Democrats had only four ma
jOrity on Joint ballot. Sswell
was tie Republican caucus candidate for
Senator, aud Leon Albeit WAS the Demo
cEatic. But there we're bolts from both at
the caucuses. Three Republicans declined
to support Sewell, and four Democrats re-
fused TO vote for Albeit Baird came 10
the legislature resdy TO bargain. He had
expressed himself favoTably to Albeit
during his campaign for election. Had he
not done so he would have been beaten
But when lie reached Trenton bis cupidity
was excited. His means were slender. He
vas country physician with small
practice He had certain amount of lCcll
popularity, but he did not seem to hold il
in high regard. While there were Oihsrs
concerned in the deal by which Albeit was
defeated, Baird was the leader. He was
made Speaker Of the House by a spli', the
Republicans, four Democrats and Labor
member supporting him. 1t was the first
step in the plot, and it marked the first
period in the DOCTORS downfall.
He was detested by all parties the mo-
meDt he yielded and acted the part of the
chief traitor. The Republicans Alttered
him, because they bad part TO play
But they at heart despised him. Baird
played fast and lOOsa. He was in the mar
ket constantly, and as it was coed year
for strikers, and his position gave him
considerable temporary Influence, h.
reapsd q substantial harvest. He filed
bis purse, however, at the expense of his
reputation. The moment he bolted the
caucus aud was chosen Speaker, his friends
deserted him. He did not dare return t.
his home in Warren county fer weeks.
The Democratic papers denounced him in
scathiug terms, while the Republican
| journals maintained discrest silence. From
being fairly popular the year before, he
/ became an ctisct Of scora. He walked
/ from his hotel TO the House alone, ano
scarcely eves had a companion. He had
some pluck and stood his ground as Speak
ct pretty well, considering the sbuss
poured upon him and the scant defense he
pot from some Of the Republican members
/ The moment the pot bad been execnted,
/ however, and BlOdgett was elected, NO
body recognized Baird The Democratic
leaders vowed they would have ven
geauce Tne Speaker ntver returned
home to live. Il is reported that MS
family left him. He certainly left his
family. He went st once to New York,
where he could lose himself in ths big
througs. He had money, and he at once
proceeded to speculate with il. He open
ID fiue Office up town, and advertised him
self extensively as a specialist for certain
diseases. His advertising bills were enor.
nous,
He worked his political position for all
in sight lie hal fac similes Of the House
Of Assembly note paper made, with
Speakers Room" engraved on 1t. %
this be printed his circulars. At first he
promised TO do some business, except here
in New Jersey. Even other States learn
ed HE character, and the fstes soon turned
against him. Disaster followed disaster
and in abOut g year most Of his money
wss gone. He could not get on his fee
again. No one would help him. In fact,
there were those who took pains to throw
obstacles in his way. He kept going down
the hill, until q short time ago he wa.
glad to get the chance TO drive horse car
ia the metropolis
Leon Albeit as be goes Campaigning
Tor Governor these days, must experience a
a grim feeling Of satisfaction that the MAJ
perhaps most responsible for keeping him
| M nfAhn Irnilad SLaiaa SanaEa has II