The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-20
BAKER Is APPOINTED.
Eckels Makes Him Receiver OF
Merchants National.
PROTESTS WE'RE UNAvAillkG.
Fckels Says They Contained Baseless
Charges. and Condemns Their
Authors-Baker's Career.
PROTESTS WE'RE UNAvaiLikG.

The contest among numerous apph-
cauts for the position Of receiver OF the
Merchants National bank was eDde yes
terfay by the appointment OF ChaTts =
Baker. OF this city. All doubt as 10 the
successful applicant had been clspelied
*vrn sfavS previously Nhen il became
known THAI the comptroller would ap-
point Nr. Baker Since that time, n Is
understood Mr.. Eskeis has been exam
lining into charges made against Nj.
Baker as q business man. with me re
suit that he was determined more tnah
ever 20 make the appointment Aester-
day Mr. EckeIs disposed Of the matter in
a brief dispatch TO Mr. Baker, sent al
2:15 y. m, as follows:
Il have appointed you receiver OF the
Merchants National bank Salary.
5000: bond. sc. o00. Report TO Examiner
Clary in charge and commence 10 faml-
iarize yourself with the affairs or the
bank"
The scheme Of the depositors to have
a trustee from their own number select
ed 10 take charge of the bank was not
fayOr&biy thought OF by the comptroller,
EXho at no time mas had even the re-
motsst intention OF surrcndering his t1r-
isdiction- Resides, he contended tras-
tee would be quite as expensive as re-
Deiyer. The comptroiler's anal disposi-
ton of tire matter was announced 10 the
dispatch from Washington city:
The appointment of Charles II. Baker
as receiver Of the Merchants National
hank OF Seattle was announced today by
Comptroller Eckeis- Baker Was chosen
from a field OF twenJy-one applicants.
and had strong Endorsements from lead
ing members OF the bar. business men,
bankers ami the clergy. The appoint
ment has been held up several days 10
beA n
tests filed against Mr.. Baker b. numer-
GUS Democrats OF Seattle. The charges
were totally disproved by the strongest
kind OF testimony as 10 Mr. Bakers up
rlg'htness. The protests acted as a BOOM
erang, as many letters have been TeceiV-
ed by the comptroller protesting against
the methods adopted by Bakers rivals
In announcing the appointment the
comptroller said:
" The protests filed by some of Bak-
er's opponents only served TO strengthen
his case. as upon investigation / have
learned that all the stories about him are
untrue and that he has a high character
among men OF standing in his home town
| cannot understand the methods OF
some OF these men. They Endorsed Baker
in the highest terms for postmaster. and
when he aspires TO the receivership all
the good things said of him are taken
back and he is called incompetent and a
poor business man. Upon investigation
l vas forced to believe that these per
sons meant what they said when he was
d candidate for postmaster "
Charles II. Baker was born IN Chicago,
November 30, 1854. He was graduated from
Cornell university In 1886 IN the depart
ment OF civil engineering. and did gov
erHment geodetic and hydrographic sur
veylIg in New York. lie next went H. -
Missouri for the Chicago * Rock Island
a A.
Afterward he came as far west as ia
kota. where ne was division engineer for
tAe Northwestern. Ia 1851. feeling that
the East Was not be enough for him,
and Ghat the West offered great oppo.-
sulliiaeS to a young man OF push and
steady habits, he headed for this city.
where ne became engineer for the Seat
tie. Lake Shore * Eastern. both in ac-
tive construction Of the line ard IL charge
OF It's office. Subsequently he was in
bushes for himself as u surveyor and
contracting engineer. Under contract ne
5la4lL the Cherry Valley railroad near
SnoqlIalmie the Spokane d Aontrose
electric railway II Spokane and the Third
street line IN this city.
When the fight was made for the Seat
tie poSoofiice. Mr.. Baker was ole OF she
leading candidates. and all OF his indorse-
meuts FOR that office were considered by
Comptroller Eckels after the application
Tor the Etce@Feisllap was Eleu- IN ad4l-
ton 10 local Endorsements, rs had the az
tive support OF his Gather. William 7.
Baker. president II the Iroquots Club and
OF the Chicago board OF Trade, who IS "A
close friend OF the administration and a
leader Of the sound money movement a.
Illinois
Alr Baker IS married lie is a brother of
Howard ". Baker. Of this city. and OF
Henry ID. Baker. VINO Will graduate from
Yale ColleS next year. and VINO now draws
$50 a year as one OF the editors o. the
Yale News.
Dir. Baker has been an ardent Seattle
man ever since establishing himself here.
and & is said that he became - deeply
attached 70 thls place Oh hls arrival that
a dozen yoke Or oxen could not have
lragEezl him away.