Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-02

his searches for knowledge, so after digest
ing what they offered be went to college.
His education there was of the most finished
character.
Along about 1850 young John began to
read law in the office of Judge Charles
Shaler. He was a favorite of that eminent
jurist, aud in both legal and political life
afterward he reflected many of the charac-
teristics of his tutor. They were both Dem
ocrats. Perhaps thst is why very early in
his professional career Mr.. Bailey took an
active interest in politics. He was admitted
to the bar, and although practice in the
courts was congenial to him, there presently
offered an opportunity for the employment
of both his scholarly tastes and his political
devotions. The Daily Union was for sale.
1t was one of the oId-time Pittsburg news
papers, and had been originally in the hands
of Collector of Port Hastings. While that
gentleman was trying to operate both news
paper and Government offices at the same
time, the vaults in the latter were robbed of
some $4,000. A tedious government in
vestigation which followed took most of
down, and finally Hastings had to let it 60.
CAREER AS EDITOR.
John II. Bailey and Thomas J. keenan,,
Esq, purchased the paper in 1857. They
conducted it as a staunch Democratic organ.
Mr. Bailey displayed an ability as an edi-
tor that made him a somewhat formidable
foe with the pen. There was a condensed
style about his editorials which aided pun
gent force to them. He had a corps of po-
litical contributors that attracted attention,
and he ran the best of what was written for
the Union by John Dunn, james 81. Hop
kins and Alfred McCalmont. OF course
this line made him doubly useful to his
party. From counsellor ne rose to leader of
the ranks, and for ten years he was Chair
man of the Democratic County Committee.
This was during war times, and after he had
returned to the practice of law. In those
days Democratic stock was away below par,
and it required a courageous soul to lead
such hopeless campaigns. But Mr.. Bailey
stuck to the cause of his fellow men. He
remained all through the Mcclellan strug-
gle, and then for five different campaigns he
led the party's forlorn hopes by being q
candidate for judge-being a candidate
with no idea that Democrat would be sue
cessful. But in 1877 he was elected one of
the associate judges of 1he Common Pleas
Court, defeating the Republican candidate,
Judge Fetterman. His commission, Of
course, extended for ten years.
POPULAR ON THE BENCH.
He was regarded BY attorneys and both
political parties as one of the ablest dispen-
sers of criminal law on the bench, because
of his terse rulings and charges, and his
objection to all irrelevant matters
during a trial. He was devoid of sentiment,
and usually maintained judicial dignity,
cold yet respectful. This led to prompt
ness and business-like methods in the courts
over which be presided.
Since Judge Bailev's retirement from the
bench, he has been quietly engaged in legal
practice. Being fond OF literature, he can
be found much of the time at his library.
He has entered more or less into social life.
Mrs. Bailey is charming woman,- whose
history recalls the patriotic romances of
America. She is descendant of the cele-
brated Washington family, being the
Of Bushrod Washington, one of
the old-time residents of Pittsburg, whose
ancestors were the brothers of General
George Washington. Mr.. and Mrs. Bailey
have son, Reed Bailey, a prominent young
man of the city. The family is prominent
in Episcopal church circles. They reside at
the Central Hotel since the Monongahela
House was burned out.
CANDIDATE OF BOTH PARTIES.
Anything that can be written here about
Eustace S. Morrow, the candidate of both
parties, for reelection to the Office of City
will not be new. But as history
s repeating itself in his present campaign,
10 must the story of his career be retold as