Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-08-16
David Baird Declines to
Seek Endorsement at
Primaries.
PUTS ASIDE AMBITION
FOR GOOD OF HIS PARTY
In Letter to State Chairman
Murphy lie Urges Harmony,
Not FactionaI Strife.

Declaring that the success of the
Republican party in the State at the
next election is of more consequence to
him than the personnel of the next
Unit,d States Senate, David Baird, of
Camden, tells Franklin Murphy why he
will not accept the latter's invitation
to seek Endorsement as a candidate for
senator at the September primaries.
The letter, which is dated August Is,
is reply to the former governors s
joint letter of August to Senator
Kean and Uncle Davey" inviting both
to join with him in following the lead
of former Governor Stokes and in con-
fornlity with chapter PSI of the laws
of 1907 seek Endorsement of their re,
spective candidates. for the office of
senator in the manner provided by law
In the reply, which is truly char
acteristic of the leader who has
guarded the interests of the Republi-
can party in south Jersey, and VINO
has been relied upon for the majori-
ties that count since the death of
William J Sewall, Mr. Baird makes no
attempt to conceal his opinion of the
original Murphy letter and its probable
effect on the ensuing election. Like
Senator Kean, he still prefers to re-
member Mr. Murphy. evidently as
chief executive of the State, and ad-
dresses him as such in the letter which
follows:
Mr.. Daird's Letter.
Camden. N. J., Aug. 15. 1910
MY Dear Governor:
Your letter OF the 9th, addressed to
me, though previously delivered to the
press, reached me on the 10th. Just as
was leaving on business trip.
This has prevented an earlier answer.
Perhaps its publicity has served the
purpose intended without a reply, but
I will answer nevertheless. The con-
stitution provides that a Senator shall
be chosen by the Legislature The act
to which you refer permits, but does
not require, as some political state
ments given out intimate, a candidate
for the Legislature to pledge himself
to vote for any person whose name
appears on the ticket as a candidate
for Senator. I am unwilling to ask of
any candidate that he surrender his
constitutional right and pledge him
self to support any one who may at
q primary election receive but a small
fraction of the popular vote, particu-
lariy at this late date, and as two
thirds of one branch of the Legisla-
ture has already been chosen without
such pledges. That this attitude is
not inspired by a fear of the result
must be evident to you, who, of all
others, are familiar with the former
occasions on which have trusted my
fortunes to my fellow citizens in coun-
ty and State.
fractional Bitterness.
Let me suggest that you as chair
man Of the State committee and 1 as
an humble member would better bt
devoting our brains and energies
toward the election of a Republican
Governor and Legislature in Novem-
ber than in injecting into the cam
paign at the eleventh hour a personal
contest for United States Senator I,
be elected by the Legislature next year
resulting, as such contests always do
in factional bitterness and a reduced
Republican vote on election day The
success of the Republican candidate fol
Governor and Of the candidates fol
the Legislature. whose election mean.
SO much to the people of this State
is of far more consequence to me thar
the personnel of the next United
States Senator
las your letter first appeared in the
public press am sure you will not
regard it as discourteous that / give
this out for publication.
with assurances of my persona
esteem, I am. very truly yours,
DAVID BAIRD.
fHTa fha Hon Franklin ATprrI,,
Newark, n. j.
Yelled Sarcasm.
The veiled sarcasm contained in Mr.
Baird's expressed reason for not an
swering Mr.. Murphy's letter at al
earlier date, expresses in eleven shor
words the Camden chieftain's opinion
of the object the Essex leader had In
view.
Perhaps its publicity has served IN,
purpose intended without a replv.
tersely writes Mr.. Baird, and then b,
adds, "but / will answer nevertheless
His criticism of the propriety Of tn,
chairman Of the State committee de
voting his energy and brains to a per
sonal contest for the office of United
states Senator. rather than the elee
tion of a Republican governor ana
LEGISLATURE, can hardly be passed ur
, noticed by Mr.. Murphy or by Vic,
Chairman Stokes of the committee. al
though the latter is not mentioned ln
name.
,The reference to himself as an hum
ble member of the committee whC
should be seeking party success in.
continued on Second PaRe0
-. ,he f=r.ut A.,tatto., 1,.os