New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-17
NEW RAILROAD COMMISSION.
COLE, DUNN AND BAKER CONFIRMED
BY THE SENATE.
THE DEMOCRATS TRIED TO MAKE SOME PoILTi-
CAL CAPITAL BY OPPOSING BAKER. AND
THE VOTE on HIS NAME WAS

CAL CAPITAL BY OPPOSING BAKER. AND
THE VOTE on HIS NAME WAS
on PARTY LINES.
Albany, Feb. Is (SpeciaD The Senate to-day con-
hrmed the nominations Of Ashley w. Cole. OF New
York: Frank NJ. Baker. OF Owego and George w.
Dunn. Of Binshamton as Railroad Commissioners
Their terms for five years. Az has been freely
advertised for two weeks back the Democratic SEN
ato-s assailed the nomination of Mr. Baker as soonas
Senator Raines chairman Of the Railroads Commit
tee, made favorable report on IT, The ground OF
objection to NJ. Baker was apparently that ne was
not a railroad conductor or engineer. but railroad
superintendent. This objection came originally
from Peter F. Keefe, railroad conductor, who had
the support Of the Order OF Railroad Conductors
for the place Of Railroad Commissioner.
Senator Cantor objected to favorable report on
Mr.. Bakers nomination. the ground that the
original Railroad Commission law provided thai
representative Of the Anti-Mor opoly League shono
be OF the Commissioners Then this was
amended TO provide that one OF the Commits
sioners should be an experienced railroad man. II
was the intent OF the law 20 have some one ap-
pointed to this place who would not be in the con-
troll Of corporations. and who would be neutral In
all contests between the people and corporations.
The railroad conductors and engineers had
right to think that one OF their number would De
appointed Railroad Commissioner In Michaei
RlCkarQs place. instead, GOVernOTs hottoh OIL"
Black had named n man whose only duallhcation
was that his nomination was desired by Senator
Plat. Not single labor organization or single
Dor union had asked for this appointment The
appointment OF Mr. Baker was made In defiance
Of public opinion by the political boss whose rail-
road he operating. About all the railroad
corporations In the State had also supported the
United States Senator in asking for the appoint
ment. The proposed Railroad Commissioner was
tho spokesman OF the railroad interest. or would
be as soon as he became established fully In the
Board OF Railroad Commissioners. the Railroad
Commission would be controlled In the interests
Of corporations and become political machine
Senator Raines defended the law and the noml-
nation as strictly following its spirit Ger
tanly Mr.. Baker was an experienced railroad man
He had been employed in all capacities on a rai,
road for many years. The Democratic party had
appointed on the Railroad Commission one man
who had been merely an engineer employed by d
railroad corporation II then had two POLITICIANS
as the majority of the Board. Mr.. Baker equip
ment to be Railroad Commissioner could not be
disputed. No the Commission could be
better fitted than he 10 act in the interests or te
people of the State. The superintendent or such
small railroad that which had been run by
railroad work Mr. Baker had been In the railroad
business since 1864 freight clerk freight handler
freight agent, and. finally, as supern
tendent OF railroad. There could be no possible
Senator Coggeshall defended Mr.. Baker as
practical railroad man. and as competent man ior
the place Of Railroad Commissioner
Senator Cantor then asked for a separate vote
on Mr. Bakers confirmation. which was granted
Colonel Cole and Colonel Dunn were confirmed by
acclamation and Mr. Baker confirmed by
vote OF 40 10 10. the Democrats voting In the mega
tive