New-York tribune., 1900-12-22
DIR. WISE ON HIS REMOVAL
HE COMPLAINS THAT HE WAS UNFAIRLY
TREATED BY THE GOVERNOR.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There is not an expressed opinion which b,,
come to my notice which fails 70 characterize M,
removal by Governor Roosevelt as rank Injustice
The so-called hearing was farcical, although n,
results were tragicaI He used what he called "tez
timony' taken under very questionable conditions
without witnesses. recording some statements and
striking out others. leading me 70 assume that ha
merely making memoranda from this con
versation'' q not sworn), refusing TO psrn,s
me 20 examine the stolen and garbled letters upon
which he based his inquiry. confusing In eyerv
possible way and upon this matter and this alors
he inflicted the highest grade OF punishment HI,
official power allowed. AS instance Of unfair
ness. the letter Of November 20. 1899. upon which
he chiefly based his belief in regard NY i'm
mediate relations with the ice company. eentaiu.
the following clause in the first paragraph OF ths
letter:
My term OF Office ends May IS. 1901. when
will not be candidate for reappoIntment and
disposed Of Hence, make the following PROPOSE
ton.
This was wholly ignored by him. for II II had
been considered it would have ruined his assuup-
ton and diverted his purpose This statement Of
November 20 expresses my intent in the whole
transaction far as 1 was personally concerned
II my relations with the Governor during his
term OF office were known. II would show es-
tabished aninus which would explain, in part
least his recent position In the first year ot
his term while the reappointment Of Commissions
Brown was being urged. the Governor reported
saying that the Lunacy Commission was need
lessIy extravagant. and this was offered a
reason for not appointing Mr.. Brown. AS our rec
ord showed the contrary. and that greater econ
omies had been made in our department than could
be shown elsewhere. I went to the Governor and
stated that II he believed what he said he should
either remove all the Commissioners OF ask for
their designations. The interview was heated. and
resulted in his Withdrawing his statement BY claim
ing hat he hea ard IN as
belief
During the DIR. Backus controversy last winter
the Governor was enraged by my public acEnoEI-
edgemeLt of joint letter with my COLLEAGUES, ask
ing for the reappointment OF Dr. Backus It was
stated that he considered we owed him fealty to
the point OF denying this letter. and was told BY
persons who heard his warm" remarks at the
time that he would lose no opportunity to do ne
up; for he laid the weight OF blame on me, With
his correspondence at that time will show, whks
correspondence will be given to the public later>h
the only interview which I have since had with
him he treated me frigidly II not with official dis
courtesy.
At the interview denied ever. directly or in
directly using my official opportunities for per-
sonal gain. This denied at the hearing, and asked
for fair opportunity to prove It. which was not
given. I deny IL now. and defy any proof TO the
contrary. The State had connection with the
icehouse at Flatbush. and my only connection was
the loan Of money to the company erecting it. II
have purchased the house at its actual cost, and
would have been large gamer. The company
would have repaid my loan with legal interest
If had received from them employment at the
close of my Of Office. it is preposterous TO as
sumo that did SO by reason Of my being State
officer. for official act was involved in the whole
transaction, and none can be shown
This position is sustained by every letter written
by either party. and If the Governor had accepted
the entire correspondence. which offered. in
stead of taking selected and revised letters and
prejudging guilt he would have been convinced Of
this
the Governor had indicate another unfatrneSs.
After the first interview. Monday, the Governor
spent the week previous in official visits 70 hos
pitals and being in poor health, was very much
exhausted after my three hours interview By
reason OF illness IN my Iarnlly tooA tne tran 20
New-York and returned to Albany on the early
The Governors attitude was wholly changed at
the second interview He would interrupt me ana
take letters at wide intervals. applying them TO
wrong transactions. until he had me in a partial
much of the interview. He suddenly closed the
interview by demanding my resignation ana would
not give hour for considerat ton and counsel
fused offer it, when he submitted formal charges
which had been made and dated the day previous
IN advance OF the interview he then stated and
restated that he would allow but one witness. and
that one myself; yet at the nearing ne claimed
could have had witnesses.
nent with Governor Morton not to do outside buSf-
ness. Whether I have maintained outside business
sented to any such agreement. Governor Morton
attached a memorandum to the readjuStment Of
the salaries Of all three commissioners. which in
point of law had force although its conditions
have been met, as matter OF fact
No. 412 West End-ave.. New-York. Dec. n. 1900.