The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-19
BONEB RAKE'S MISTAKE.
How He Failed to Secure the Japan
Mission.

How He Failed TO Secure the Japan
Mission.
When Major George II. Bonebrake of Los
Angeles looked over the ground year ago
at Sacramento with view to injecting his
personality into the fight for United States
Senator he saw that his cause was hope
less. A few of the willy statesmen from The
southern citrus belt, including such men as
Senator Carpenter and Young of San Diego.
would have given the Los Angeles banker
complimentary vote, but it would have been
at best forlorn hope, so BOnebrake stepped
aside and the result, as the world knows,
was the election Of FELTON,.
When the latter found that victory had
perched on his banners" to quote the
famous words Of Governor Markham, he
TUNED al once 10 Southern California and
suggested that be would like TO do some
thing of a substantial nature to show his
loyalty to that section. Anything, he i'll
formed then in his bland way, that they
might desire within reason he would aid TO
the best Of his ability TO secure. About
that time, or soon alter John L. Swift,
Minister to Japan. died. and the
tongue Of rumor became busy dis
cuSsing the subject of his possible
successor. Numerous candidates were trot-
ted out for exhibition and the competition
for the place became sharp and bitter.
A side from the somewhat liberal salary Of
$1,000 year 1t carried with it the high
sounding title OF Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Pienip0tentiary. and included
stay in the romantic island about W ich so
much has been written.
At once the friends or Major Bonebrake
began to bestir themselves in his behalf.
FELTON, was consulted and agreed TO throw
the weight OF his Influence ii the scale while
Stanford stood aluol.
THEN THE GOVERNOR TOOK A HAND
And made personal appeal TO the Presi-
dent Harrison listened attentiyely, and it
was understood that he desired to show his
friendship TO the Governor by naming
BOnebrake for the vacant portfolio.
In the California delegation, however.
McKenna stood out for his friend, Frank
Coombs, OF Napa, and urged him as rep
Tesentative OF the young men of the State.
In old days, 1t seems, when Mekeuna was
young attorney eking out living around
the courts at Martinez, Nathan Coombs.
the father of the honorable Frank, has been
his friend, and he determined to stand
by the son. He, therefore, prosecuted
the fight with great yigor, but the Presi-
dent decided upon Bonebrake, and il was
agreed that the latter should be given the
place. Bonebrake saw how the matter stood
aud at once grew yolube. He Informed
newspaper reporter of the fact that the
place was lis and this sounded the knell Of
his hopes. Harrison feared that such frank
expressions were not becoming a diplomat
ist and hesitated. Then an Old Supreme
Court decision, involving certain financial
transactions in which BOnebrake was in
VOWED. was dragged 10 light and telegraphed
to Washington. That settled it and Bone
brake " as knocked out.
The name of Coombs was again pushed
to the fore, and the President objected be-
cause of his youth. These scruples have
now been overcome, ii is said, and Coombs
will be given the place
Among those who were most solietous for
the appointment Of Coombs is, according 10
general rumOr. Irwin c. Stump who is
already laying his wires for the Republican
nomination for Governor two years from
now, aud who is afraid of Coombs as pos
si5le rival.