The Advocate and news., 1899-03-15
MCNall, Governor
of Kansas, l9Ol-5.
Gov. Stanley Makes Webb McNall Ills
Probable Successor by the Tanner
In Which lie DepOses the In
surance Superintendent.
MAKES A "OUNsHOT FINDING"

and his politics have been found to be ex-
tremeIy bad. What is much worse he has
done his duty in defending the people OF
Kansas against the ravenous Insurance
companies His term would expire regularly
in three months and half, but there is no
telling what harm he might work to Re-
publican success even in that short time.
So McNall had to go, and he went in way
that will give him the Populist-Democratic
nomination for governor next year unless
the fusion party is eternally ungrateful.
To use one Of McNalrs expressive phrases,
Governor Stanley made "gun-shot find
ing" The proceeding was all arranged be-
forehand as you will discover by reading
last weeks Mail and Breeze. McNall nearly
spoiled the whole thing, however, by not
fslling in line and silently getting out or
the office. He stupidity made noise and
nut the governor on record. After what has
been said about McNall during the cam
paign and especially since the crown had
been offered him for the Republicans by ].
Ralph Burton, 1t was essential that he be
removed-and this was the way 1t was
done:
Arthur Capper, owner OF the Mall ana
Breeze, was selected to file charges against
McNall 1t was understood that James A.
Troutman was to prepare the charges, ana
he undoubtedly did-but by acting as Cap
per's attorney he was able to glance at the
governors contingent fund. Mr.. Cappers
petition set up the following wall:
Your petitioner respectfully represents TO
vour EXceIlency that Webb McNall Is now
and has been for more than two years lasC tI
pct Superintendent of Insurance OF the
staLe of Kansas; that as such SupeIlnIeHu-
emf of Insurance the said Webb McNall mas
been derelict in the discharge OF his duties
in many respects, as will hereinafter more
fully appear; that he has acted corruptly
in authorizing certain insurance companies
to transact business in the state, and IN
refusing other companies such authority;
that he has both directly and indirectly re-
ceived gifts, gratuities and compensation
from insurance companies, other than al
lowed by law; that said superintendent
through his authorized agents and attor-
neys has levied upon ana eXtorted from IN
surance companies doing business, or seek
ing to do business, within the state large
sums of money in violation Of the law,
and has demanded and received compensa-
ton for doing certain official acts which
was his duty to do or refuse to do, without
remuneration other than the annual salary
paid him by the state of Kansas; that he
has corruptly used his position as such SUI
perintendent to harraSS, oppresS and lntim-
ldate insurance companies doing business,
or seeking to do business within the State,
and has, by such oppression and intimida-
tion, in some cases prevented fair and
reasonable adjudication of legitimate con-
trOVersles in the courts of the state; that
he has collected eXorbitant fees for pre-
tended examinations of the financial cOndi-
tion and standing Of certain insurance COM
panies and has appropriated such fees for
his own use and benefit, in violation of law,
and has made no report of collections and
hoo 4ot1od NJ rafUca6 IN p tha con inf
the treasury of the State.
Specifically the petition referred to the
Eillmon case, the interference" with the
business of the Phoenix Fire Insurance
company, the examinations which the COM
panies themselves have used other means
Of making a fuss about, and alleges that
the insurance commissioner has neglected
to cover into the State treasury all money
collected by him and that he has been
guilty of derelction of duty and of corr
rupt and venal practice in the conduct of
his office" 'his excellency' is therefore
asked to investigate this ill-smelling con-
duct and remove the offender.
Governor Stanley carefully buried the
charges until after office hours, and then
gave them out to his party's morning pa
ptESs IlG gave UnCENdlA bWtALy-lO HuuE3
to get ready to be tried. But the latter an
swered Friday with letter which rather
put the governor against it. He said in
part:
Topeka, Kans., March 10, 1892
Hon w. E. Stanley, Governor, Topeka,
Kans.:
Dear Sir-This morning in the daily papers
read a. communication purporting to en-
anate from your department under date Of
March 9Th, and upon returning to my office
this morning found that charges were left
here last evening after Office hours, or, in
other words. about $40 o'clock.
| notice upon reading your communication
or said date that you say one Arthur Cap
per OF this city has filed charges against
me as Superintendent OF Insurance and the
hearing ct your Office is set for Saturday
morning at 10 o'clock, March 11th. May I
ASK You II in your judgment this is not
entirely too long time to accord to an in
dividual against whom charges have been
preferred of this nature, in which to pre-
pare his answer? Would 1t not have been
a good Olan IN 6yy ha haa 90 4,