The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-15
RESIGNS FIRST.
Plan for Preventing Embarrass-
ment of State Officials.
Shaffer Case Has Set Officers to
Thinking.
BOARD COULD NOT ACT.
Wanted to Get Rid of Steward
Long Ago.
Members Still Refuse to Discuss
the Removal.
COULD NOT ACT.

Although Governor Stanley has not
given his consent to the plan, the lead
ers of the Republican party hope to
prevail upon him to adopt the system
of having men appointed to office, place
in the hands of the appointing power,
official designations, these documents to
become effective at the pleasure of the
appointing power.
This discussion has been revived ow-
ing to the difficulty experienced at this
time at the Topeka insane asylum.
There the steward, E. l. Shaffer, has
been dismissed by an order of the board
of charities.
Under the decision of the supreme
court on the tenure of office law, the
steward can not be removed without
hearing or an investigation, at which
evidence admissible in court must be
produced before an order of dismissal
may be entered.
The state board of charities has not
elected q successor to Mr.. Shaffer be-
cause the board is waiting to see if
Shaffer will demand an investigation.
The authorities state that there is no
danger of Shaffer taking this stand,
but that is the view expressed by those
who desire to get rid of the steward
His side of the case has not been ex-
planned. but there is an air of expect
ancy around the state house. indicating
to have a fair and impartial hearing of
the charges under which his dismissal
was entered.
1t is argued that if the governor or
the board of charities had required from
the person given the position of stew
ard a resignation signed and complete
in every detail, contingent upon salts
factory service and faithful perform
ance of duty, the difficulties which have
arisen in the Shaffer case would not
have confronted the powers.
It is gOssiped at the state house that
the board and the governor have been
annoyed by Shaher's conduct for eight
months, twice during which time an
effort has been made to get him out of
office The plans were made to dismiss
him on two separate previous occasions,
but Grant HOrnaday, the chairman of
the board, thought best to give Shaffer
q hearing.
was no desire to precipitate trouble and
scandal such as the removal of an
official always occasions.
Under these circumstances the fight
on Shaffer was abandoned in those in
stances and nothing was done, but the
authOritieskept close tab on Shaffer
hoping to discover something which
would effect his removal without in
VeStigatiOn. This something is now
in possession of the state board of char
tiles and upon its Importance the ad-
ministration relies for the opinion that
Shaffer will not seek an investigation.
g. W. Kanavel and Edwin Snyder,
treasurer and secretary OF the board of
charities, in Topeka yesterday, declined
to discuss the Shaffer incident. Asked.
when they were talking together, if
anything had been done since Shaffer
was removed they replied:
Nothing whatever"
Have you elected Skaters success
sor?'
mo, sir was the reply
when will this be done?" asked the
reporter
I'VE do not know came the answer
from the two men.
Has shaffer been checked out and
for9''
No" said Snyder and KanaveI
when will this be dOne?"
REALLY, 1 can not say" said Mr..
Kanavel
Z haven't heard anything about it,"
said Mr.. Snyder
DO you believe that Mr. Shaffer will
demand an investigation ~ said the re-
porter addressing Mr.. KanaveI
I'm sure can't answer that question
because have not heard word about
it," was the reply.
Mr.. Snyder's answer was of the same
character