Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-01
OLIvER,s CANDIDACY.

The resignation Of John NJ. Steele made
necessary the appointment Of commiss-
Toner in his stead. The matter was dis
cussed by members OF the Board Of Trade,
and by business men generally. All agreed
that some heavy taxpayer Of the city ought
to be chosen and that in addition that he
should be an accomplished accountant.
half q dozen different gentlemen were
suggested, but none Of them were SO lit
uated as to be able TO leave their business
during business hours. When Mr.. divers
name was suggested there was not single
objection. Every heavy taxpayer APP
preached upon the subject said he was the
very man above all others. Three different
sets of business men went to see him about
the matter, but he fatty refused the ap-
pointment for the reason, as stated by him
self, that it was place OF great Importance
to the taxpayers, and no man should &C
cept it who was not only competent, and
had the time to spare, but who was willing
to take hold of the books, and business OF
the county and go clear to the bottom SO as
10 gain q proper understanding of all its
affairs; that, while he believed he
possessed the necessary qualifications it
would prove job of considerable magni-
tude, and further, that as only three or
four months of the term remained, the
time was too short. He was assured, in
answer to these suggestions and objections,
that IL he would accept the place, and give
it the attention that he spoke Of, and which
every one conceded was necessary, that
the business men OF the city, without re-
gard to party, would do all in their power
to keep him in the position until he could
gain the information and experience nee
essary to make him number one commiss-
Toner. On these conditions he reluctantly
accepted the appointment, and not until
day or two before the meeting Of the con-
vention did the taxpayers Of the city
dream Of anybody else asking for the place.
This city, which pays over one-third Of
all the taxes Of the county, is entitled to
commissioner, in fact, the districts were so
arranged as TO give the city \ commissioner.
Mr.. Oliver is not only one Of the heaviest
Taxpayers In the county, whose direct and
personal interest, therefore, it will be to
watch the expenditures, appropriations
and levies, but he is an accomplished book
keeper and solid business man. Among
all our merchants, manufacturers and
bankers no man could be found better
equipped for the responsibilities of the
commissionership than A. W. Oliver.
While we have nothing against Pat. Healy
as a man or as citizen, every business
man knows him to be utterly unfit to guard
the interests of this district, or to do any
thing that would tend to tighten the taxes
OF the county. Nine taxpayers out Of ten
in the city will vote for Mr.. Oliver because
of these undisputed facts, and IL he is de-
feated it will be by the floating, irrespOn-
sible and non-taxpaying elements to the
largest extent. A few gentlemen, for pO-
litical reasons, and because they know that
they can run nealy,w vote for him and,
these may, in fact are trying to control the
floating population and non-taxpayers in
his interest, therefore it becomes the duty
Of every business man and every taxpayer
in the district not only to vote for Mr..
Oliver. but it is to their interest and the in
terest Of the entire county that they 90 &c.
lively to work to make his election un9ues-
toned