The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1920-06-25
. = 49, = = +

Newton Diehl Baker was one Of
The few secretaries of war who had
Il full opportunity to live up to his
title His jump from municipal to
national political limelight Scame al
an opportune moment and enabled
him TO dig a niche in the political
wall of fame which must needs be
inspected by the delegates of the
SAN Francisco national democratic
convention.
Baker was born at Martinsbnrg
w Va, December 3, 1871 He went
through the village school and pre-
pared for Johns Hopkins university
in The Episcopal high school in Mar
tin9burg. Following graduation from
the university in 1892 he studied law
at Washington Lee university.
First appearance In public life was
made In 1896, when he was brought
TO Washington by Postmaster Gener-
al Wilson to act in sscretaral ca
bacity. AT the close Of Grover
Cleveand'a second administration.
Baker returned to Martinsburg TO re-
sune fhe practice Of Law and two
yeara later he went to Cleveland.
rhe start az Bakers rise In the
political world came in an argument
with Judge Martin A. Foran o.
Cleveland while the Two were re
turning from trip to Europe. just
before Bakers coming to Cleveland.
Foran, who was high in the political
councils of the famous Mayor Tom
L.. johnson, was so impressed with
Bakers logic and ability to argue,
that he induced him to throw in his
fortunes with the Ohio metropolis.
Foran, knowing Of Johnsons in
terest in promising young men, in
troduced Baker and the mayor i'm
mediately promised to find him a
place in the city hall He named
Baker first assistant city solicitor
on January /, 1903, and thus paved
the way for the West Virginian's
rapid rise IN public life
With the resignation Of the law di
rector, Baker took command OF the
department and held 1t for three con-
secutive terms. The office was elee
tive and Bakers success at the polls
testified to his great popularity with
the people He was the only demo
orat to survive the landslide of re-
publican votes which IN 1903 buried
even the great Tom l.. himself.
AS right hand man to Johnson
Baker bore the brunt of many Of
the old warriors battles The young
city official acquitted himself partic-
ularly well in the traction war
around which JChnson's turbulent
career centered. A strong personal
attachment sprang UP between tn,
two. Baker was openly moved t
tears by the news OF Johnson's death
When Baker jumped into the may
orally campaign of 1911, his plat
form consisted of the principal planks
OF Johnson's platform and he made
no secret of his intentions of "car-
ryns on" to the municipal owner
ship goal sought by Johnson. Aided
by a revival OF the Johnson popular
ity and his own brilliant oratory and
expert political maneuvering, Baker
was swept into office by the largest
majority given mayor up to that
time.
lie served from 1912 10 1914 and
was reelected to second term. On
Mal ah 7. 1916, Baker was appointed
secretary of war by President WI
aon.
Baker is small. dark and quick o.
action He was rather youthful In
appearance when he running for his
first term as mayor and at least or
one occasion this youthfulness prov.
ed embarrassing. An influential cit
izen entered his office one day and
asked to see Baker. He stepped for
ward and said I'm Baker"
Well" he replied. my hoy. yonr
father is running for mayor and I'D
like TO do something for him"
Bakers personal following in Cleve-
and is great. In the days when h
dominated the city hall, he carrie,
/ warm friendly smile and a firm
In Cleveland they knoS
lin best as he was before the try
WA To-day h. face is
aiher grim and stern. The fou.