The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-02
COM PLANT
Is REGARDED
AS UNFAIR ONE
Ex-0il Inspector Brown Not
Removed Without Notification
HISTORY OF THE CASE
Including Information as TO
Other Recent Appointments,

Guthrie. O. T. March l.-Considersble
talk has reached this city concerning the
appointment OF John II. Dillon as terri
torial coal oil insTector to succeed L. E.
Brown OF Oklahoma City. er1inating from
that city and eriticisirg Governor Fergu-
son for his action. II is understood that
Browns friends are making The state
nents that Governor Ferguson was IN
fair to Brown. because he appointed
another man coal oil inspector without
informing him that q charge would be
made.
Governor Ferguson made the slater ent
few days ago IN discussing the TiTon
matter. that while in Oklahoma CITY.
befors he came to Guthrie. Immediately
after his return from Washington, Brown
came TO him and stated that as cover
ror. if he wished 10 make a change in
his Office that it would he sl right. and
after having made this statement 70 him.
Governor Ferguson felt AT liberty 20 take
any action he deemed advisable. not an
ticipating that there would be any feel
ins on Inc part Of Browns friends. who
evidently do not thoroughly understand
the situation
John ii. Dillon was offered the rositio,
rs territorial treasurer &c. succeed c. W
RaInbo. and this cffer he refused. II is
very probable that had Dillon accented
the treasure rship. Brown would have
been retained as coal oil INSPECTOR. Since
Dillon did not accept the Office, Governor
Ferguson desired to have him a mem
Der II the administration. and offered
Linn the inspectorship. which Dillon ac-
cepted.
About the time the newspaper stories
were printed that Ferguson would an
point Dillon coal oil inspector. the gov
ernor wrote 10 Brown and informed him
OF his proposed action. There evidently
was no discourtesy intended by the gov
ernor and had there been, no letters
would have been sent to Brown. but his
successor would have been appointed
and at the time a commission was issued.
curt note TO that effect would have
been sent the former oil inspector
AT the time the conferences were being
neld relative to the appointment Of Dr.
ION as treasurer. . number of CIV. Ram
Dos Pawnee county friends came 70 this
CITY TO see tho governor ard insist tia,
Ramoo be retained n the Office during
the Ferguson administration. The gov
ernor explained the entire situation "a
this delegation and stated that le had
made up his mind to give Dillon the
treasurership. should ne want it. After
understanding the situation. the Pawnee
county men stated that such an action
would occasion no sore spots as far as
they were concerned. In the governors
office RambO stated that il the governor
desired to make a change he would re-
tire and that he could be counted on in
the future TO stand by the administra-
ton regardless OF the fact that another |
man had TIE office which he desired 20 /
retain. providing that the administration 1
was above reproach in public affairs.
1t IS probable that had Governor Fer I
guson anticipated any feeling On the part
of Brown or his friends. he would have /
said to Brown at tho time the CONVEX /
sation occurred in Oklahoma City. to send /
in his written resignation. 50 that il /,
might be on file in the governors Office. 7
The criticism OF Browns friends OF Fer /
guson's action Will not help matters Al 4
far as Oklahoma county is concerned /
and its standing with the Ferguson ad- /