The Washington herald., 1913-01-26
GOV. BALDWIN GIVES UNUSUAL INTERVIEW
ON POLITICS. THE BIBLE, AND OTHER THINGS
Connecticut Executive Imposes Peculiar Conditions
Under Which He Gives Views on Dominant
Questions of the Day-Beleves in
Direct Presidential Vote.

/ counts of the war were surprised at
his technical information. "Gentiemen."
Sherman said, II was a shoemaker long
before 1 came to Congress"
Moreover. there was the Governors
father. r. s. Baldwin. who. in 1883, was
the principal attorney N a suit that was
celebrated not alone IN this country.
but in Europe. Slaves, shipload Of
them, on the way to Cuba, poured out
Of the hold at a signal, overcame the
officers and took possession of the ves-
sci. An American ship. finding them
sdrift, towed them into the harbor Of
New York. Spain claimed that the
slaves were the property of Spanish
planters and SPECTATORS. Abolitionists
in the North defended the Africans. The
case went to the United States Supreme
Court finally. and was argued for the
black men by Gov. Baldwin's father,
John Quincy Adams being his assistant
His skill, learning. and thoroughness
caused the renowned Chancellor Kent
to say that ne was one Of the ablest
jurists OF his time.
at Live Here" Said Precision.
Gov. Baldwin himself 10 famous in
New England as q lawyer. He has
been chief justice of the Supreme Court
Of Connecticut, president OF the Amer-
can Bar Association, and has written
books on law and history. Two years
ago he was Unexpectedly elected to the
chief office in his Commonwealth Since
then he has been a notable man In the
Democratic party OF the nation. Were
he ten years younger. he and not Wood
row Wilson might have been nominated
at Baltimore for President Important
publishing concerns have begged for his
opinions on certain pressing questions.
Clubs in large cities have asked him
for speeches. Therefore, when he salut-
ed me as I entered his office / felt that
I was in the presence of an illustrious
man, a very big Democrat, and a prime
val American.
The chair he gave me was as hard.
uncomfortable, and plain as his own.
He sat upright, as IL sitting were duty
made imperative by the Federal Con-
stitution or the tables OF stone. The
floor of the room was OF old and rough
oak, but clean as broom and mop could
make It. Precision seemed to say: This
is my abode" Even the sunbeams which
shone through the windows conformed
to the law of the place and assumed
geometrical combinations. Somewhat
confounded, feeling rather silly and
amateurish with a lead pencil between
my fingers and a tablet OF paper on my
knees, awkwardly propounded my first
interrogation. So far the advantage was
Win lut IONcIHOE. II Will
him until bowed my respects. spoke my
thanks, and departed from his office.
What" inquired. and II was merely
to be a curtain raiser, you understand,
lis the most important issue before the
American people?" had hoped he
might berate the millionaires, smash the
Socialists. or scoffN at sextual hygiene
or mental healing.
No Issue Before the Country.
"I think" Gov. Baldwin answered,
there is no issue at present before the
people think the people provided a,
verdict on November 5, 1912. that settled
all issues, II any existed. They were
asked then to choose between a stand
pat policy, a policy of reasonable
changes in financial legislation. and a
policy of haphazard, so-called progress
sive changes in every kind of legislation,
State and national They chose"
There was a note of exultation in the
words, They chose" also a measure of
emphasis. 1 looked up hastily and am