James A. Baker III talks cancel culture, transition of power at Heritage Society dinner
After a two year hiatus, the Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park hosted “An Evening of Heritage.” Last Sunday’s conversation with former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and wife Susan Garrett Baker was moderated by Jim McGrath.
Founded in 1954, the nonprofit organization’s mission is to tell stories of Houston’s history through collections, exhibitions and educational programming.
“It was really fun to be involved at this wonderful place,” Susan Baker, a former docent, said. “It’s a treasure that (Baker Botts) law firm can look over.”
Founders — including Ima Hogg, Faith Bybee, Harvin Moore and Marie Phelps — rescued the 1847 Kellum-Noble House from demolition. The Heritage Society later saved an additional nine historic buildings before relocating and restoring the 10 structures to their current home downtown near Buffalo Bayou Park and Baker Botts LLP, where Baker’s son is now a partner.
At least four generations of Bakers have worked at the law firm, headquartered at One Shell Plaza.
James Baker Jr. and his father, James “Captain” Baker, also developed Broadacres, the neighborhood north of Rice University, together in the
1920s.
Naturally, McGrath, a former staff writer and editor in the Executive Office of the President from 1991 to 1993 under President George H.W. Bush, asked the former secretary of state what it was like growing up as a Baker in Houston.
“There were advantages and disadvantages,” Baker III said with a wide smile. “I was constantly reminded that I had a big legacy to live up to. Hopefully, I was able to do so.”
He spoke of his grandfather James “Captain” Baker’s close relationship with top law client William Marsh Rice, whose fortune founded Rice University. James “Captain” Baker is often credited with solving Rice’s murder — by butler Charles Jones — which was instigated by attorney Albert Patrick in a plot to forge Rice’s will.
That history has likely contributed to Baker III’s strong opinions on today’s cancel culture.
“I deplore efforts to erase our history. We should not cancel or erase it — we should learn from it,” said the namesake of Rice’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. “There’s a big effort to take down the statue of (William Marsh) Rice. None of those kids would have an education without him.”
The campus’s Student Association unanimously passed a resolution to relocate the Founder’s Memorial by the end of the 2021-2022 academic year. Rice was a former slave owner whose will stipulated that his fortune be used to create a higher-education institution for “the white inhabitants of Houston, and the state of Texas.”
Baker III added that he found the relocation “repulsive, and I’m proud of that bias.”
Susan Baker offered her position: “We need to keep the past. Otherwise, we’ll have to relearn those lessons.”
As a young woman, feeling dismay over historic homes and buildings being town down is what initially drew her to volunteer with the Heritage Society. She later co-founded the National Alliance to End Homelessness and wrote her autobiography, “Passing It On,” which detailed the challenges of being married to a man in high-level politics and public service, as well as campaigned for warning labels on music albums with violent, drug-oriented and sexually explicit lyrics.
Her husband is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Texas School of Law who also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Baker III worked as White House chief of staff and secretary of the treasury under President Ronald Reagan, and as secretary of state and White House chief of staff under President George H.W.
Bush.
Baker III and the late Bush enjoyed a close 60-year friendship forged on the tennis courts.
“Tennis helped when we finally got to be president and secretary of state,” Baker III said. “With (Bush), what you saw was what you got. He was so considerate of other people and thoughtful.”
The former president was the last person to visit Baker’s first wife, Mary Stuart McHenry, before she died from breast cancer complications in 1970.
Baker III also spoke of leadership, which he defined as a commitment to values and the perseverance to fight for those values, and the need for reform across both Republican and Democratic party lines.
A question from the audience concluded the conversation: In light of recent elections, what steps can be taken to ensure a peaceful transition of power?
“The transition of power is a process that needs to be respected and observed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t contest,” Baker III said. “The defeated candidate should swear to the person who beat him. Refusal to acknowledge defeat is inexcusable.”
The Bakers departed the tent in Sam Houston Park following a standing ovation and were swarmed by admirers hoping for a handshake or quick photo.
Some attendees sneaked inside the Heritge Society’s recently remodeled gallery space for an after-hours peek at an exhibition showcasing props and set pieces from Alley Theatre performances past, in celebration of the theater’s 75th anniversary.
The Heritage Society’s next event, a Houston throwback celebration of Mardi Gras called “NoTsuOh” (Houston spelled backward), is planned for spring. King Cotton, traditionally a notable businessman or leader, will be unveiled during the festivities.