New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-11
AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS NAMED.

RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS NAMED
THE NAMES OF WILLIAM r. ROGERS. JOHN d.
HERMAN AND JOHN o'DoNNErL SENT TO THE
LEGISLATURE BY THE GOVERNOR.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUsE,l
ALBANY, Jan. 1O.-Governor Cleveland to-day
nominated William T. Rogers, of Garrison's. John
ID. Herman. of Utica aud John O'Donneli, of Low
vile, for Railroad Commissioners. 1t was a singu-
lar circumstance that at the moment Private Secre-
tary LamOn was presenting these nominations to
the Senate Mr.. Roosevelt, of New York, was in the
act of submitting a bill to the Assembly giving
the Governor unrestricted power of nom,
mating the Commissioners. The Governor had
strictly obeyed the law; Mr.. Rogers represents tho
minority party. the Republican, at tho last election;
Mr. Herman, the majority party, the Democratic,
and Mr. O'Donnel was duly nominated by the
Autobiography League and the Board OF Trade ana
Transportation. 1t is noteworthy that the Gov
ernor the paper nominating Mr.. ODonnen has
written the words As required by law" MIR.
ODonnelps nomination having been compulsory
one there is some doubt expressed in regard to his
confirmation. Little opposition will probably be
made to the confirmation Of the other two NOM
inees. All the nominations were referred to the
Railroad Committee.
There is naturally much inquiry in relation to the
influences that led the Governor to make these APP
pontments. Mr.. O'Donnell, ii is of course under
Stood was forced on the Governor by the Anti
Monopolists. He will be +. B. Thurbers represent
ative if confirmed, on tue Railroad Commission.
The appointment of William Rogers rs the Republic
can Commissioner was urged in personal letters to
Governor Cleveland by ex-Preident Grant,
General Winfield Scott Hancock, Myron p. Bush
of Buffalo, ex-Vice-Presdent Wheeler,
Ex-Governor Z. ID. Morgan, Samuel Sloan,
John Jacob Astor. Francis c. Barlow.
and many others. These letters were of highly
eulogistlc character In them Mr.. Rogers is de-
clarcd to be an able honest man, whose fitness for
the position is indisputable. Mr.. Herman, who is
son of ex-senator Herman, is unquestionably ap-
pointed to secure he support for Governor Cleye-
lands administration Of the ex-senator and OF ex-
Governor Horatio Seymour. MIR. Herman ~ SPOKEN
OF here however, as lawyer of decided talent. ara
the prediction Is made by those acquainted with
him that he will make good Railroad Commits
slonor.
SKETCHES OF THE NOMINEES.
William E. Rogers was born in Philadelphia In
1916 lie entered the Mill airy Academy at West
Point IN 1863 and was graduatedi in 1867. lie was
a fine scholar while at the Academy, graduating
No @ in his class. He was first commissioned az
lieutenant In the United States Engineer Corps,
and was ordered to duty on a survey OF Lake
Superior and the country surrounding. In October,
1869 he igned his commission IN the Army, and
has since been at work as civil engineer.
His latest achievement as an en-
gineer was in laying out the track
Of the extension Of the Delaware, Lackawanna aud
Western Railroad from Bingbanton to Buffalo
This was in 1851. Mr. Rogers is a son-in-law of
Hamilton Fish.
John ID. Kernon. the eldest son of ex-senator
Keenan, of UticJ was born at Utica on February
20, 1914. lie was graduated at Seton Hall College
in / S63 aud was admitted 10 the bar in 1866.
For many years he has been member of the law
firm of William and j. ID. Herman, OF Utica.
As "A member of this firm he has managed many diff
fcult cases with much skill. He is considered one
OF the beat lawyers IN Utica. Two months ago he
suffered a severe loss. While shooting in the woods
he was accidentally shot by a companion, and the
sight of one of his eyes was destroyed. He was not
an applicant for the position of Railroad Commits
sioner, nor did ex-senator Herman make an appu-
cation in his sons behalf
John ODonnell was born at Fort Ann in 1927.
In 1919 he went from Fort Ann to LOwvlle where
he has since lived He was Republican member
of the Assembly in S64. From 1885 to 1870 he
was a member of the state Senate, serving two
terms He then became Clerk OF the Assembly. To
all Of these positions he elected by Republicans
For several years past he has been editor and pro-
pTietor of a new spaper at Lowyille