The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-06-01
HoN. wILLIAM B. BAKER.
Relnir Times

Beldir Times.
Few men in public life in Maryland have |
had a more interesting career than Senator |
Baker, of this county, and it is not surprising |
that for many years he has been looked upon
as excellent Gubernatorial timber. 1t is fact |
that at the Cambridge convention, which nom-
mated Lloyd Lowndes in 1895, Mr.. Baker had
a strong following, notwithstanding his pre-
vious declaration that he would not allow his
name to go before the convention.
Mr.. Baker is farmer, Gamer and bank pres
ident and from small beginnings has acquired
a modest fortune. He lives in beautiful
home at Aberdeen, surrounded by an attrac
tive family. His business and political sue
cess never made any difference in him-he has
always been plain William B. Baker, man OF
sterling character, excellent Judgment and
most attractive personality. Everybody likes
him and no better evidence of his personal
strength and popularity could be given than
the story of his political successes in Demo
cratic county and Congressional district.
AS far back as 1881 he was elected to the
House of Delegates. defeating Murray Vandi-
yer. In 1893 he was nominated for Senator
and was elected, defeating Senator Robinson;
The next year he was unanimously nominated
for Representive in Congress against Fred. Tai
bolt, who at the previous election had received
almost 5000 plurality. Mr.. Baker was elected
and was reelected in 1896 and again in 1885,
declining denomination in 1900. This was
remarkable achievement in Democratic dis
trict. At the conclusion of his service as
representative in Congress he retired to private
life with the proud record OF having served his
State and county with signal ability at time
when great issues were being settled and
foreign war successfully prosecuted. He en-
joyed the warm friendship of President McKin.
ley and was a staunch friend and supporter OF
his policies. His fellow countians urged him.
as patriotic duty, to stand as the Senatorial
candidate against Senator Robinson in 1901
and he did 80, Notwithstanding his preference
for the quiet of private life. This was the year
following the extra session, with its partisan
changes in the election law which gave the
Democrats big advantage, and he was de-
feated. Two years ago he again measured
swords with Senator Robinson and this time
defeated him by over 700, the most remarkable
majority ever given Republican candidate in
Hartford county.
He took his seat as Senator at the session of
1906 and was the unanimous choice of the Re-
publicans for the Presidency of that body,
which honor carried with it the leadership of
his party. He made record of which any
man might justly be proud, and at the close of
the session was presented with a silver loving
cup as token of the high esteem felt for him
by members of the Senate, without regard to
party.
Mr.. Baker has been urged by many friends
and admirers over the the State to indicate his
willingness to become a candidate, but he has
steadily refused thus far to do so. In the first
place he finds his Senatorial work coDgenial
and is averse to entering into the strenuous
life incident to Gubernatorial campaign. But
his party friends urge that he possesses not
only the qualities necessary to ably fill the
Gubernatorial Office, but they point to his re-
markabe record as vote-getter, and claim
that he would be popular candidate and give
the best chance of winning the State.
MIDDLE-AeEp men and those beyondth limit
have been hearing for thirty years the story of
the Standard Oil Company as reported to the
President by the Department of Commerce;
but the report is valuable in suggesting rem
edy for existing and long established ills and
also in stamping disapproval of wrongs by
official condemnation. Heretofore the Ida
Tarbells have told the story of Standard graft
and no one listened. Now the Government
tells the story brings 5000 criminal suits
and the land at large stops to listen. 1t is
amazing that the Standard during all these
| years could commit known wrongs and not be
brought to justice. The reason is, it had its
rich, heavy hand on Legislatures, carrying
corporations, the leading legal lights, juries and
in many cases the judiciary. What could the
people do? After suffering from the greed of
the most monstrous monopoly the world has
ever known. remorseless in its methods and
without conscience in pursuing its selfish way,
the public sees some hope that fearful evil
generation old will at last be brought to bay.
For long time Justice has been treading with
a leaden heel. Now let her strike with an iron
hand without pity or compassion.
Ter Cm.rr IF Viro;nia 10 CALMING ON ex.
tremely unpleasant notoriety on account of the
many horrible crimes that are being commit
ted there. Nearly every day the papers report
one or more murders, some of them most
brutal in their nature. But Virginia is big
State and has rapidly growing population.
Mr.. THOMAS PARRAN, chairman of the Re-
publican State Central Committee, has called
meeting of the executive committee in Balti-
more, June 18th, when it is proposed to select
the time and place for holding the State con-
vention. Mr.. Parran says he favors holding
the convention early in August.
WHEN W1scoNs1N's new Senator, Isaac
Stephenson, went into the timber land bust
ness sixty-fve years ago it was customary to
speak of the lumber supply as ''inexhaustible."
Mr.. Stephenson has lived to see the word
changed to depleted" with prices immensely
advanced.
HERE IS bit of wisdom from the Annapolis
Capital that is worth bearing in mind: when
Jay Gould was amassing his millions he
thought he was insuring the happiness of his
children, while as a matter of fact his fortune
has been the cause of nearly all their unhap-
piness."
THE CAMPAIGN of 1908 is already in full swing
in Ohio. The residents of the Buckeye State
never get chance to quit swearing at one cleo
ton before another is fast at their heels.
A Warning to Lazy Postmasters-Here-
after postmasters who advise their patrons to
buy bank drafts, express money orders, or to
employ other methods of transmitting cash
than by money order or registry, will be re-
moved from Office. Lazy postmasters have
found it more agreeable to direct patrons to the
nearest bank or express Office to purchase ex-
change than to take the pains to issue money
orders or registry letters. This has operated to
reduce the postal revenues.
Postmaster General Meyer has issued the
following order: 1T has come to knowledge
of the department that certain postmasters
and their employees have spoken disparagingly
of the registry and postal money order systems
and have suggested that money or valuable
matter be forwarded by other means than those
afforded by this department.
'It is, therefore hereby enjoined upon post