Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-29
ASSESSOR BAIRD
JOINS RACE FOR
L. S. sENAT0RSH|P
Nearest to Washington South
Jersey Politician loosely
Tells Friends.
SAY HE WILL ACCEPT NO
FAVORS FROM GOV. FORT
Announcement of Candidacy Re-
calls His Fight With
States Executive.
IRON a stan Correspondent j

TRENTON, Dec. 29.-zDavid Baird. of
Camden, is the latest and one of the
most formidable candidates in the race
for United States senatorship. His
friends declare that to them the head
or the State Board of Assessors has
announced his candidacy in cold, plain
English. Mr. Baird himself iocosely
gays that of all the candidates men
toned he is the nearest to Washing
ton." due to the fact that he lives In
Camden. and that geographical stu
alton adds force to the joke. Mr.. Baird
Will under no circumstances accept any
favor from Governor Fort.
Mr.. Baird, your name is being
prominently mentioned as a candidate
for United States senator" suggested
a STAR reporter.
To this question the South Jersey
millionaire politician chuckled and
said: I'm not supporting any of the
candidates thus far mentioned"
Does that mean, Mr.. Baird, that you
are a candidate yourselfs"
THE exalted position of United States
Senator is one that any man might
be proud to accept My home. you
know, is in Camden, and l could get
to Washington from there quicker
than any candidate thus far men
tioned.'
Beyond this he would not go.
The story of the so-called split be-
tween Governor Fort and Mr. Baird
is well worth repeating at this time
in view of the fact that the Governor
is said to be on the verge of appoint
ing George Everett Halsey, of East
Orange, to Mr.. Baird's job. Near the
close of the session last year Governor
Fort attempted to put through his pet
measure, the direct primary bill. The
vote in the House showed that the
three members from Camden opposed
the bill. The Governor had his list OF
appointments ready for the Senate to
pass upon. and II is alleged that be-
cause of the. attitude OF the Baird men
the Governor, In fit of anger, struck
the name of David Baird from his
slate. 1t was asserted that the Gov
ernor believed that he had the power
to make an ad interim appointment,
and he reserved to himself what he be-
lieved TO be the power to make an APP
pointment without the advice or com
sent of the Senate.
1t was discovered subsequently that
no member of the Board of Assessors
had the right to sit unless his appoint
ment had been ratified by the Senate.
The net result was that Mr.. Baird held
over and he consented to remain a
"hold-over" until his successor had
been appointed.
Governor Forts friends have recently
sounded Baird. They have sought to-
find out if the Camden man would be
willing to continue as head of the State
Board of Assessors, providing the Gov
ernor would make the appointment
Mr.. Baird is like rough, uncut dia-
mond. He never minces words when
he speaks. Refiectively, he said:
Last year Governor Fort promised
to appoint me. This promise was made
without any solicitation on my part.
He went so far as to insert my name
in his list of appointments for submis-
sion to the Senate. In the last hours
Of the session he endeavored to secure
the passage of his primary bill He
tried to coerce the members of the
In doing so he adopted
loClltS iiSlIou5 IndL SdVOTeQ OIL q
ward politician and not those of dig
nifled chief executive.
''The Governor claims that I gave
him no support in this disgraceful pro-
ceeding, and in fit of pique he struck
my name from his carefully prepared
list. !. have continued in office because
the law SO continues me. If my further
tenure of Office depends upon the act
of the Governor then it will soon end.
Governor Fort has nothing to
give that I would accept. I believe
that be would be glad enough to
reappoint me, IL would promise to
do his bidding. But 1 won't.
81 am too old a mnn now and
have too long followed the princi-
pie of honesty in all walks of life
to be nisIed by man whose career
Is record of inconsistepcies."