The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-28
They Lived Double Lives.

magnitude is committed by some one who
was regarded as being eminently respecta-
bic. and when all the facts are brought to
light il appears that this eminently re-
spectacle person led a double life. 1t is
not improbable that in almost every com
munity there are men of this kind, though
it is only seldom that they are found out.
If the published facts are correct Samuel
c. Seeley and Frederick Baker, who, it is
alleged, succeeded in robbing the Shoe and
Leather Bank of New York of 1884,
We're men Of this kind. Seeley was a
bookkeeper in the bank and received a
salary of $3.50 a year, and Baker was
lawyer who was supposed to be rich, and
who lived at the rate of $4,000 a year. See
" is a fugitive from justice and Baker is
dead, having been drowned on the day
when it is understood that he was in
formed that he was suspected of being
concerned in the bank robbery. 1t is not
yet known whether he was drowned ac-
cidentally or committed suicide.
Seeley was regarded as model bank
employe. He was extremely attentive to
his duties. During the years of his con-
nection with the Shoe and Leather Bank
he never took vacation. The reason is
now apparent, though before the discov-
cry of his crime it was thought his fidelity
TO his employers kept him at his post of
duty. He was to all appearances model
husband and his modest home in Brook
Ign was a happy one. He was not wor-
ried by debts and, as far as the world
knew, he was just what he appeared to be-
namely, a sober Industrious and trust
worthy bank employee.
But he had another side to his char
acter. A part of his time he led life he
would not have revealed to his employers
and his family unless forced to do So
After bank hours and before he returned
to his home in the evenings he met gay
female friends and spent money lavishly
in entertaining them. He gambled on the
races and was a frequent visitor at the
a gambler and a roue. To the world he
was Woodworking bookkeeper who spent
all of his leisure time at home.
The other man who is alleged to be con-
nected with the crime, the lawyer Freder-
lex Baker, was also a model husband, and
in the estimation of his friends was a man
of high character and large wealth. For
years he was regular attendant at one
of Brooklyns noted churches, and at his
home in the city and at his country place
there was no suspicion that he was other
than what he pretended to be. Still, if the
published statements are true he led dou-
BILE life for years. While maintaining the
character of an honorable man he was en-
gagged in robbing a bank, drawing from it
with the aid of his confederate inside hun
dreds. and sometimes thousands, of dollars
a week.
Baker and Seeley are extraordinary in
stances of men leading double lives. Such
instances, however, are the ones which at
tract attention and excite comment. The
ordinary and less sensational ones are
doubtless far more numerous. They come
to the surface once in a while, but they
make only a faint impression on the public
mind. There are very few that become
generally known. however in comparison
with those that remain unknown to the
world.
Congressman Black and Mr.. Tom Wat
son may find several big stumbling blocks
in their way to a settlement of the Tenth
district contest after their own fashion.
There appears to be a disposition In the
district to kick at the way they are pro-
ceeding. The people may conclude, If there
must be another race, to bring in two fresh
racers. Mr.. Watson's proposition seems to
have been made in the belief that he is
still the populist candidate for congress,
and Mai Black appears to have consented
to the proposition in the understanding
that he will continue to be the democratic
candidate after he has resigned his COM
mission AS a matter of fact the cleo
ton of Nov. put an end to the candidacy
of each gentleman. Mr.. Watson was
BEATEN that certainly put an end to his
candidacy. Maj. Black was elected which,
if there is any virtue in election certif-
Gates, ended his candidacy Thus the
election took the matter entirely out of
the hands of the candidates. 1t Is Mai
Blacks privilege to resign if he pleases
But when he resigns he will place himself,
along with Mr.. Watson, in the ranks of
ordinary citizenship. Neither will be en-
titled to go before the people again as a
party candidate, unless renominated by
party convention or primary election.
Maj Blacks resignation will put the two
men in precisely the position they occu-
pied before nominations for the November
election were made, and their respective
parties will have the privilege of saying
whether or not they shall again be can
didates 1t would be an impressive lesson
IL their parties should tell both gentle
men to stand aside, and let somebody
else make the race.
One of the most unfortunate things
that can happen to the average legislator
is to have some pel5on or newspaper
mention him as the Watchdog Of the
treasury" That term has probably
spoiled more good men than have heen