The Washington times., 1894-10-04
MR.. BAKER MAY NOT RETURN.
Chances of the New Hampshire Con-
! gressman for Reelection Prejudiced
by Suit lie Has Lost.


Congressman Henry NJ. Bakers chances
for return 10 the House of Representatives
by the voters of tine Second New Hampshire
district have been materially Iessened by the
decision handed down in the court ofappeals
Monday in the suit in equity Of Henry 5.
Cummings VS.. Henry NJ Baker, as reported
in The TINES yesterday.
Only a short while ago the Republican
State committee. who are looking after Mr..
Bakers interests in the Granite State, called
upon their Representative Tor candid state
ment Of his position in this suit, and for the
time being were satisfied with his assurances
that everything was perfectly square and
above board, and that his honor and integ-
rity would remain mistaken even by a loss Of
this suit 1t happens. however, tnat an in
| teresting little romance is woven around this
| case, which dates back several years, and
| Judge Hagner's decision which was affirmed
| and entered as part Of the records by Chief
| Justice Alvey, shows the Hon. Mr.. Baker 10
/ have been an excellent worker for himself In
/ his partnership relations with Mr.. Cummings.
| Mr. Cummings, at one time prominent
| claim agent, is wealthy resident Of the
/ District Mr. Baker has been in Washington
more or less for the past thirty years and now
| represents the western district of New Hamp-
/ shire in the lower House, being candidate
/ for reelection in November. He previously
| held several cIerkships and for time up TO
! 1874 was assistant special agent OF customs
| division OF the Treasury, located in this city.
/ 1t was about this time, that owing 10 re-
/ vision OF the statutes, the words mot eX-
/ ceeding" were inadvertently omitted from
! the section which provided previously to that
/ time that customs inspectors should be paid
| lat a rate not exceeding 50 per day
This error was detected IN 1881 and cor
| -ac+cd by-. CpDprasNjonal byr NOT
before Henry NJ Baker had taken advantage
of an opportunity to do bold stroke TO aid
/ his own interests. He secured the names OF
| all parties whom the provision covered. and
| entered into partnership with Mr.. Cummings
for the prosecution of the claims which would
be made by the officials against the govern
meDt to secure the full amounts alleged to be
due them. Mr. Baker became the working
partner on these claims, labOring assiduously
! upon them and keeping the most OF the
| knowledge of the amount of business being
done TO himself.
In 1856 Mr.. Baker suggested a dissolution
OF the firm, and then wanted 10 buy Mr..
Cummings out. He represented, so Judge
! Hagner reviews in his decision, that there
was only about $50. 900 already collected in
fees and some $4,000 in unadiusted claims.
He could 'afford" to pay only 10000, the
half interest in the amount on hand, and
| $1,000 upon the unadjusted claims.
Mr.. Cummings finally accepted these terms
and drew up bill of assignment declaring
the partnership at an end Judge Hagner
| decision cites that the fees actually earned
amounted TO S32, ,971.51, which after some
deduction should have left 10 each partner
/ SIS, 74I. rs, or S741.7S more than Mr.. Baker
had paid for his partners interest. Accord
ing to this decision. also. there was consid-
erable more than $50, 600 uncollected claims
and the fact that in 1888 Mr.. Baker was
awarded claim of upwards of $4,000 led
Mr.. Cummings TO suspect that all was not
right in his former partners representations
to him.
Mr. Cummings began suit in 1889 against
Mr.. Baker. and has thus far won the case
which. il is now understood. will be taken to
the United States Supreme Court for fna
decision. Judge Hagner's decision also i'm
piled that Mr.. Baker not only deposited
about S12S, 900 of the firms money In his
own name, but that he purchased his part
ner's interest with money which justly be-
longed to Mr.. Cummings. The Judge sums
up by stating that he shall sign decree an
nulling the assignment of Mr.. Cumming
interests and order true account OF the
partnership affairs to be made.
All these details Mr.. Baker has kept from
the ears of his New Hampshire constituents
and when the news reaches them at thi
stage of the campaign, their cOnsclences VIII
receive a severe shock which Is likely to re-
bound against Mr.. Bakers chances for re
election. 1t is interesting to note in this con
neetion that in the district which Mr.. Bake
represents Benjamin Harrison received ma
icrity OF 2.500 votes for President over his op
ponent, while Mr.. Bakers majority was sim
mered down TO a scant 500 over his Demo
cratic opponent. The news of his busines
relations with Mr.. Cummings may prove SUI
flcient TO cut down the 500 majority TO
minus quantity when the ycte shall b.
counted in the November election.