The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1883-03-22
pLI1u WORDS.

There Is an Impression abroad. whether
justly or not we don't pretend 20 say. that
r. 1. Bonebrake was to he appointed rail-
way commissioner. The appointment q
Bopebrake, or any other man. remotely or
otherwise connected with railway interests,
would be dead giye-away and the people
viii not listen to it. The following plain
words from the Commonwealth OF Sunday sets
out tho true situation and IL had better be
needed:
The gentleman whose name heads this art.
icIe is being success fully urged, by certain
Interests, as candidate for railroad commits
sioner, and unless vigorous protest is made
lac will doubtless be chosen.
Mr.. Bonebrake is gentleman against
whose private character, or business quaiifi-
cations, we have not word to say. He Is
an old resident Of the State, having been in
Office nearly sereRteea consecutive years since
casting his lot in Kansas. While member
o. the State board OF railroad assessors. 1t
was not charged that he at any time, or on
any occasion, manifested an extraordinary
anxiety TO assess the railroad property Of the
State at higher figure than was suggested
by the representatives of these corporations.
We presume it will not be denied that Mr..
Bonebrake is president of bank in this city.
and it will hardly be disputed that the stock
Of this bank is owned largely by gentlemen
connected with our railroads.
There is q newspaper published in this city
which, it is alleged, is largely owned by the
railroads of this State. Mr.. Bonebrake IL
secretary Of this company.
This is all right and proper, in u business
point of view. Mr.. Bonebrake has the abso-
lutte right to be president and general man.
ager OF a railroad, for that matter, but then
no man has right TO become candidate for
position that involves vast public interests,
and one IN which he is to occupy position
of arbitrator, where his personal iDolinations
or business interests would influence him
from a strict line of judicial fairness.
MIR. Bonebrake's business associations are
such that he cannot well afford to accept the
position OF railroad commissioner, should IL
be rendered him, and certainly no member
OF the executive council could SO FAR forget
himself as to even contemplate for a moment
such inanifcstly impolitic thing.
We fully recognize that the new railroad
law il a potent instrument, and in the hands
of INSCRIPTIONS men could be made to work
infinite harm to the corporate interests Of
this State, and while we insist that none but
first-class gentlemen shall he chosen for COM
missioners, we will not consent to see il
handicapped at the start by the Appointment
Of Mr.. Bonebrake TO one Of these positions.
With the executive council rests the re-
sponsibility ofchoosing three commissioners.
Their votes are TO be made public and no
member eau hope to escape the responsibility.
Ii any of these gentlemen think the people o;
the state can be hoodwinked or deceived, or
that the Commonwealth will not expose any
scheme that has for its object the election Of
VIGOROUSLY unsuitable men as commission
ers, or thar IL has not the courage to de-
nounce in unmeasured terms, any member
Of the board who may allow himself TO be
unduly Influenced in the selection of these
commissioners, they might as well begin to
disabuse their minds now.
The Commonwealth, in view OF the fact that
the commissioners may be chosen early this
week, desires. this morning, to say that the
appointment OF Mr.. Bonebrake as railroad
commissioner will not meet the appreciation
of any considerable number of the citizens Of
Kansas; aud should any combination be en-
tered into which would rorce him upon the
people, each and every member of the exec
utiye council who votes for him will be called
IN an arcotnt wifbout unnecessary delay