The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-05-15

trail committee filed Tuesday, May
18th, for attorney general of Montana
on the democratic ticket.
Bonner mas won national recogni-
ton for his efforts on behalf of the
farmers, live stock men and the peo-
pie of Montana in the cases which he
handled for them before the Interstate
Commerce Commission of the United
States.
Bonner is favorably known in labor
circles and has already been endorsed
for attorney general by Local No. ~,
l. U. of M. M, S. w. of East Helena
and by Ladies Auxiliary No. 55, |.
u. of M. M. S. w of East Helena.
In a statement he issued he said
"Since l have lived in Montana all of
my life and attended its public schools
and university l feel that | know the
problems that face all of our Montana
people, and the solution of these prob
lens is of paramount interest to me-"
Mr. Bonner was the first law grad
uate of the University of Montana to
become president of the Montana Bar
Association and became its president
in 1886, and is a former attorney for
the Montana Highway Commission
and the Montana Board of Railroad
Commissioners.
He was born in Butte in 1902, but
he left there as a child and was reared
on a ranch in Sanders county. His
parents are pioneers of that county
having homesteaded there when the
Flathead Indian Reservation was
opened to settlement.
Mr.. Bonner worked his way through
law school at the University of Mon
tana where he was graduated with
BA. and LIB degrees He distin-
guished himself in the law school and
the university, having been member
on the university debate team, men,
Der of the honor committee of the
law school and a member of Phi Delta
Phi international legal fraternity.
For two years he taught and coached
athletics in Montana public schools
and took an active part in educational
affairs.
After graduating from the univer-
sity with his two degrees he prac-
.ticed law privately until 1929, when
he was appointed attorney for the
stae highway commission. Mr.. Bon
ner handled the commissions import
ant litigation until 1886, when he re-
signed to become a candidate for the
office of attorney general in the dem
ocratic primary election. He was
runnerup in a field of four candidates,
being defeated for the nomination by
Harrison j. Freebourn.
Mr. Bonner then engaged in private
law practice in Helena. In 1887 he
was appointed attorney for the board
of railroad commissioners and han
died their extensive legal matters I'M
til he recently resigned to campaign
for the office he seeks
Because of his private practice of
law and his duties in his various posi-
tions he has won a host of friends
throughout Montana. He has prac-
ticed law in every district court in
the state, as we'll as in the federal
courts and before the Interstate Com
merce Commission.
He has been a member of the Mon
tana Bar Association for many years,
and is accredited with outstanding
work he accomplished after his cleo |
ton as the associations fiftieth presi-
dent in 1886. He has also held other |
important offices in the association.
He is a former worthy president of
the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Hell |
ena, a member of the Elks lodge, the |
American Bar Association, former ex-
officio member of the American Bar |
Institute a member of the Lewis and |
Clark County Bar Association and the |
Montana Alumni Association. He
helped to organize the Association of
Montana Law Alumni and was that
groups first president. The Associa-
ton of Montana Law Alumni is COM
posed of Montana Law School grad
yates. Mr.. Bonner has also been an
officer in the University Alumni AS
ISOLATION.
Mr.. Bonner has been active in DEM :
,cratic politics having been a state
speaker for that party in 1928 and
having served as secretary and chair
nan of the Lewis and Clark Demo-
,ratic County Central committee, Sec
of the State Democra- /
ic Central Committee and director of
he Jackson Day campaign fund COM 3
nittee of Montana.
He lives in Helena with his wife ]
and three children.
Bonner adopted as his slogan on F
the ballot: will conscientieusly per-
form duties of my office economical 1
ly with fairness to ALL"