The Washington times., 1905-07-02
DURHAM IS OUT
Of STATE OFFICE
Martin Succeeds Him as In
surance Commissioner.
STEP TAKEN A SURPRISE
Governor Expresses Dissatisfaction at
Absenteeism of the Resigning
Official.

HARRISBURG, Pa, July 1.--Israel
w. Durham has at last relinquished the
hold he has so tightly kept upon the
$4,000 Office OF State insurance commits
sioner
Mr.. Durham resigned. and the man
who. a few years ago, he cast down
from his place az head Of the Repubfi-
can organisation In Philadelphia, David
Martin. has been appointed to succeed
him
Mr.. Durham resigned by letter, and
made the epistle to the governor as brief
as he possibly could. He gave no reason
for Quitting the Office OF which he has
been the head in name only, and closed
the communication with the usual per-
functory expressions Of thanks for cour-
tesies received
The news was made public by the gov
ernor himself at noon.
Durham's Letter.
Commissioner Durharn.s letter OF res
ignation to the governor Is as follows:
Il hereby tender my resignation as
insurance commissioner. to take effect
upon the appointment of my successor
In this connection / desire to thank
you for the many courtesies received at
your hands,
The letter OF resignation is not dated.
In accepting the resignation Governor
Pennypaekcr said In a letter dated
June 30:
Dissatisfied with your absence from
| the capitol. overlooked up to this time
because Of my hope for the restoration
| of your health. I accept your resigna-
/ ton as insurance commissioner this day
rendered 30 me. In so doing it Is only
just to you to say that no complaint has
been made to me concerning the con
duct CT Affairs n your department, ane
many letters have been written to me by
persons having the best opportunity fol
knowledge expressing approval. Among
Iothers. 8. c. Irwin. president OF thai
conservative insurance. the Fire Asso.
citation of Philadelphia. writes to me
May 81. 1905. as follows:
Praised by Irwin.
II am surprised to see publication,
to the effect that-Insurance men ar,
moving IN the direction to petition tn
/ governor TO remove Insurance Commits
sioner Durham, as / know this is no
correct, and I feel sure that such ac
ton will be taken by the insurance PEG
pie who are acquainted with the worl
Of the insurance department OF Penn
| sylvania.
las president of the Fire Associa
ton of Philadelphia, and president o
the Corporate Underwriters OF this city
and being in touch with the insuranc
interests OF the STATE, 1 am in positiol
to know that the insurance department
ct Harrisburg, under the Administrative
of Mr.. Durham. has been conducted i
1.-THE most honorable and straightforward
!, manner, and as such has been credi
| to the State: there has been no breat
of scandal corrected with it
No Favors Given.
Mr. Trvin's letter. which conclude
the governors letter to Mr.. Durham
also says that no favors are given t
anybody in the Insurance department
! that there is not shadow of graft /
: its administration, and. therefore, III
: insurance people will not agree to TAX
any action against Mr.. Durham
When asked whether he would Sa
anything about Mr.. Durham's resigne
; tion the governor said the letters spok
I for themselves, and refused to discus