Arizona republican., 1910-01-02

to have close personal friend the board who could always be in touch with the policies of his adminstra- ton Having decided to appoint me, he could not ap- pot Jones from this district; although he had reached the conclusion that Jones not the best man for the place, inasmuch ase known to be abidy hostile to some railway officials and mediator behalf of the people he would be without influence Having decided upon my appointment the governor naturally consulted me as to the personnel of my associates the cOmms- son My choice, as was the governors Judge An drews of Prescott, and w. P. McNair of Douglas. On the day the appointments sent to the council the governor still had it in mind to appoint McNair provided that certain matters which had been urged in opposition to Mr. McNar could be satisfactorily disposed Of But that morning delegation of democratic mem- bers of the council waited in the auditors office explained that they had heard that McNair had been decided and that under circumstances would his nomination be confirmed They at the same time in formed me that Judge Andrews could not be confirmed Judge Andrews had heard of this democratic opposition however and had advised us that he willing for his name to go ln nevertheless). quickly made in vesgatiOns hook and found that the partisan opposition to Mr. McNar strong that he could not be confirmed After consulting with the governor wired Mr. Me Nalr the acs and that the governor wishing to subject him to humiliation would not send his name in. Meanwhile the day before, Mr. Bicknell had appeared as candidate I knew that Mir. Bicknel on account Of personal differences with officials had resigned from the railway service and that the appoint ment of his successor in the railway service had been bulletned, some ten days gone Knowing that Mr. Bck- nell had always served his employers with loyalty be- eved that he would the people with the Oy
 
 most expert traffic in the United States consider ed that his services to the commission would be nva uabe, and l therefore, following the failure to and' McNair, strongly advised the governor appoint Bck nell The governor said whether he was at all in fuenced by my recommendation but if Ihad any respOn siby for Mir. Bicknell's appointment am glad of it, and always have been glad he appointed Several months of close association with him the commission convinced me that the people of the territory could have a more loyal servant Judge Andrews nomination having been rejected George J. StOneman appointed in his place. to the satisfaction of everybody it appeared But the charge has been repeatedly made that Mr. Bck nell and myself were appointed the commission to the railroads know it to be the fact absolutely that railroad man the governor behalf of either myself or Mr. Bicknell sent him any communication the subject and that he consulted railroad man in the premises and he did not know how the appointments would be received by the railways To charge Governor Kbbey with betraying the people, with serving the rally ay corporations by making appointments at their suggestion, absurd that the people of the territory would never take any stock in it.
 Yet, there is prominent dry goods merchant who quotes Akers telling him that he (Akers) went to Governor kibbey the. day appointed and protested against the appointment of Mr. Bickne and myself and that the governor replied, My hands were tied could do nothing else''-Akers of course carrying the inference that these appointments die tated by the railroads and that the governor could help himself.