The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-28
SHARP LETTER
To Gov. Morrill, from Peuitentiary
Director w. j. Hurd.
Why SHOULD he GIT OUT

Under the General charge OF NAL
feasance in OGce without speeiica-
items.
Governor Morrill, is going to have more
trouble than he bargsined for in remoy-
ing the Populist members of the board
of penitentiary directora
This morning the governor received
letter from w. J. Hurd, president OF the
board, in which he announces that he
will not resign and will not appear to
show cause why be should not be re-
moved. Mr. Hurd suggests that it would
be more like business for Gov. Morrili
to show some cause why he should De
removed or why he should resign Inc
following is the letter received at the
executive Office this morning:
HoLTON, Kansas, June 27, 1890.
Hon E. y. Morrill,. Governor of Kansas.
DEAR SIR:-I am in receipt OF your
communication of the 25th, in which you
say. after carefully reading the testl-
monv iu the matter of the trial of the
CHARGES against S w. Chase, as warden
of the Kansas state penitentiary, have
become satisfied that you are either In
competent to perform the duties OF dlrec-
tor of said penitentiary, or have been
derelict in your duties as such director,
and in which you request me to either
forward to you at once my resignation as
such director, or appear before you TO
show cause why l should not be re-
moved.
Referring to the first clause of your
accusation, I beg to say that L can
not with propriety discuss the question
OF nv competency, but am willing to let
nv official transactions, all of which are
of public record, speak for me. Nor can
I admit the justice of your insinuation
to the effect that l have been derelict in
the performance of my duties as director.
As you we'll know, or at least before max
ing such insinuatiOn you ought to know,
I have attended every meeting of the
board, and all business coming before it
has been promptly transacted from
non partisan and business standpoint,
without fear or favOritism. l nm not
aware of any testimony in the Chase in
vsstigation which in the slightest degree
reflects upon either my compess'ncy in
tegrity or diligence in the discharge of
nv duties "a director, nor am l aware of
any official act of mine, either of COM
mission or omission, which will not bear
the test of honest investigation and criti-
cism
Admitting that you, as governor of this
state, have the undoubted right to ''see
and to require information in writing
from the officers of the executive depart
ment upon any subject relating to their
respective Duties" I shall at all times be
pleased to comply with any request that
you may make for information concern
ing the affairs of the office; but permit
me to suggest that you have neither
legal nor a moral right to condemn me
unheard, or, without specification of NAL
feasance or misfeasance, summon me to
appear before you to show cause why I
should not be removed.
Would it not be fairer and more in &C
cOrdance with Old-fashioned notions of
justice. if, instead of peremptorily call
ing upon me to either resign or "appear
before you to show cause why I should
not be removed" you would candidly
and specifically state in what my wrong
doing consists? Even a criminal is en-
titled to that much consideration before
trial and sentence. Instead, therefore,
of appearing before you to show cause
why l should not be removed, l beg to
further suggest that cause be shown, if
any exists, why l should be removed.
For the reasons above stated, as we'll as
from considerations of self respect I
must decline to comply with your re-
quest Very respectfully,
W. J. HURD,
President of the Board of Directors of
the Kansas State Penitentiary