The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-10
DR.. GILL OUSTED.
He Is Outwitted by Custodian
Dudley.
Furniture Moved to New Quar-
ters in Night.
WITHOUT AN OFFICE.
ExcitabIe Doctor Finds His
Successor Installed.
Reluctantly Turns Keys Over to
Mr.. Dudley.
WITHOUT AN OFFICE.

DR.. H. z. Gill has finally been ousted
from the position of secretary of the
state board of health. He has turned
over the keys to the desks and offices
and is now among the statesmen out of
a job. The incidents of DR.. Gtlps un-
doing are rather amusing.
When the state board Of health elected
his successor the doctor declined to va
cate the office. He claimed possession
and retained it under the tenure of Office
clause of the state law and refused to
vacate. When July 1 arrived the newly
elected secretary of the board, DIV. B.
Swan of Topeka went to Dr. Gill and
made an official demand for the posses
sion of the office. The office was locked
and DR.. Swan talked through a. small
opening between the door and the cas-
ing while DR.. Gill stood guard, refusing
at the same time to admit Swan to the
office as a visitor or to give him official
possession.
A few weeks ago, following the re-
Quirements of the resolution adopted
by the legislature the executive council
ordered the office of the secretary of the
state board Of health removed to the
rooms in the west side of the south
wing, formerly occupied by the state
board of pardOns. The state historical
society, under the provisions of the
resolution mentioned, is to occupy the
rooms on the south side of the east
wing, formerly used by the supreme
court.
Then came the action of DR.. Gill in re-
fusing to give possession of the office
to his successor. 1t was then decided
that DR.. Swan should be recognized as
the secretary Of the board and Dr. Gill
should be ignored.
Acting under instructions from Attor-
ney General GODDARD, John Dudley, Gus
todian of the capitol, Saturday night
moved the furniture out of the officeoc-
cupied by DR.. Gill, took up the carpets
and commenced the work of preparing
the rooms for the historical society In
response to additional Instructions from
Mr.. GODDARD Mr.. Dudley turned the key
to the new offices for the society over to
DR.. Swan.
When DR. Gill arrived at his offices
this morning he opened the door and
walked into a vacant room The furni-
ture, carpets and everything connected
! with the office were gone. To say that
Dr. Gill fumed is putting it mildly. He
hunted up the janitOrs and commenced
an investigation which landed him final
" in Mr. Dudleys office. There the doc
tor qu1eted down when he aScertained
that Mr.. Dudley had discharged his
official duty as ordered by the executive
council. Then DR.. Gill went to the new
offices.
DR.. Swan and the stenographer were
established serenely there going over
the morning mail. Dr. Gill went into
the office, took from his pockets the
keys to his desk, opened it and sat
down. He stayed there until noon. Then
came the interesting chapter in the
story.
After the sound of whistles and -
O'Clock bells had died away DR. Swan
closed and fastened the windows and
took from his pocket the keys to the
outer door. He turned to Dr. Gill and
said:
Doctor it is noon and I desire to go
to my lunch"
I'm not going out" said the doctor.
I want to lock the door, said Mr.
Swan quietly.
Lock me in then" said Ci11 1ool-ire,
up fercely.
Swan.
I am expecting legal advice here
every minute" said DR.. Gill I do not
want to go away
Your legal advice can't come in if
the door is locked replied Dr. Swan.
Lock me in then, snapped Gill.
TN be back at , o'clock and you
can come into the office then if you care
to-" said DR.. Swan. I'm going home
now and want to lock the office''
Mr.. Dudley, the custodian of the
building then said:
DR. Gin, the executive council has
instructed me to procure the keys
which you have for the desks and
rooms in the building"
Huh exclaimed the doctor. looking
at Dudley in great disgust
Mr.. Dudley then repeated the in
structions which he was working un-
der.
Well, your better go and get writ
me- said Gill
THAT is not necessary replied Mr.
Dudley am responsible t the
council for the care of the property in
the building and the council has charge
of the state. house and the property in
it. have orders to get the keys"
You demand the keys then,' said
Gill with much sarcasm
Il am instructed to secure the KEYS"
was the reply.
Then you will take the keys from
me-" said the doctor assuming a belli-
gerent attitude towards Mr.. Dudley
I am instructed to get the keys" re-
piled the custodian, looking the doctor
in the eye.
DR.. Gill then moved around the room
grumbling and finally turned suddenly
upon Mr.. Dudley to say:
DO you want the keys to one desk;
both desks or what?''
4 am instructed to secure all the
keys and state property which you
have in your possession was the re-
Get a written order.'' exclaimed
That is not necessary" said Mr..
Dudley with a smile
You have a verbal order.''
I have my instructions" said Mr.
Dudley.
What if refuse to turn over the
keys?'' said Gill.
Then I'll take possession of the pro-
perty ando invoice it,
you'll go into my desks?''
"As custodian of the building under
instructions to secure whatever state
property there is in your possession
have a right think to take possession
of the property. If 1 exceed my auth
ority you have recourse to the law and
if I inf1ict any damages upon property
belonging to you personally I will be