The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-28
Why He Didn't Expect to Be
Bank Commissioner.
Had Asked HOch to Appoint
Someone Else.
GREATLY SURPRISED.
Told Governor lie Preferred to
Stay at Home.
His Enemies Did What Nothing
Else Could Do.

John @. Royce, the newly appointed
bank commissioner, came to Topeka to-
day from PhiIIipsburg to make arrange
: ments for taking possession of his new
office His term can commence Satur-
day April l. but before he can actually
become bank commissioner his resigna-
t ton as postmaster of Phillipsburg VIII
have to be accepted in Washington 1t
: is probable that that will not delay
matters long, however.
Mr.. Royce went home to Phillipsburg
last Thursday night with no idea that
he would return this week as bank COM
missioner. 1t is known that he had
urged Governor Hoch not to appoint
him. and he admitted this morning that
he was surprised when he heard of his
appointment.
Mr. Royce had a talk today with
Captain Albright who has been bank
commissioner since the resignation of
| Morton Albaugh three months ago, ana
who was deputy commissioner for four
years prior to that time. As to what
he will do regarding the minor appoint
ments in the office Mr.. Royce could not
say, as he has not considered the mat
ter, but it is not likely that he will make
any sweeping changes Immediately. He
will doubtless consult with Governor
Hoch concerning the matter. Before
taking charge of the office Mr.. Royce
will have to give a bond for $40, 000
The new bank commissioner will con-
tinue his residence at Phillipsburg and
| sOnal supervision.
AS the details back of Mr. .Royce's
| appointment leak out it becomes more
and more evident that Governor HOch
demonstrated by the appointment that
he proposes to run his own admins
tration and really be governor. He
appointed Royce over even Royce's
protest. It has also been stated that
| torney, and one of Mr.. Hoch's close
I personal friends and neighbors for
years. brought about ROyce's appoint
ment, but even Mr.. Dean advised
against it at the last, although per-
sOnally he was friendly to Royce.
Here is the story of how Royce's
appointment came about:
Governor Hoch really wanted the
Phillipsburg man for his private sec
rotary. but Royce had refused to take
it. telling the governor that he was
not fitted for it and did not want it.
He did not at any time ask for bank
commissioner, but Governor Hoch
knew that that was the place he want
ed if he was to have anything, and on
Wednesday the governor told Royce
he proposed to appoint him bank COM
missioner.
Soon afterwards J. S. Dean, know
ing of the opposition of w. r. Stubbs
and J. N. Dolley to Royce. went to
Royce and told him he believed it
would be a political mistake for Hoch
to appoint him in the face of that OPP
position.
Ihere isn't another man would
want to say this to- Dean is reported
as having told Royce, but 1 believe
you are big-hearted enough to sacri- !
fee yourself to keep Governor HOch
from making mistake"
L certainly WILL said Royce.
Then it's up to you to go to the
governor and urge him not to appoint
you" said Dean. And not only that,
he continued, but you'll have to agree
to take some other place, or he will
aDDOint Won hank commissioner any,
way
Royce asked Dean to go with him and
together they went to the governors
residence. There Royce went over the
matter with Governor Hoch and urged
the appointment of some one else. He
did not urge the appointment of any
special person, except that he should be
left out of it. He told the governor
that while he had wanted to be bank
commissioner he did not want it in the
face of the opposition that had come up
when it might injure the governors ad- |
ministration.
Governor Hoch was non committal on
the subject, and then Dean brought up
the subject of Royce accepting some !
Il will do anything the governor
says Royce replied, but if I have my |
home to Phillipsburg and stay there.
would rather do that than have any |
job, bank commissioner or anything !
else.
nor Hoch stating what he would |
dc. but Royce had the impression that !
another man would be appointed. !
Thursday night just before he left for
home he again urged that he be left |
out of it, and when he got home he |
had Mrs. Royce write the governor a |
letter. telling him that the personal |
friendship of himself and Mrs. Hoch |
was worth far more than any appoint /
ment he might give Mr.. Royce, and
while they appreciated mis- good viii 1t |
was both her desire and that of Mr. |
Royce that the bank commissioners OF
fee be given to some one else The next
Mr. Royce knew of the matter ne got /
a letter from the governor stating that /
he had appointed Royce as bank com |
missioner and expressing his commence
in Mr.. Royce's ability to make a good |
official.
That is the story of Royce's appoint
rnent Mr.. Royce himself stated today /
that he believed it was brought about by /
the opposition to him
If Il had not been the effort that was
made to keep me from being appointed 1 |
believe Governor Hoch would have listen
me- said Mr.. Royce today, but it got to /
Il point where he had to choose between
his own self respect and bowling to the
dfctation of somebody else-aand he never
did believe in letting other people run
Mr.. Stubs was not opposed to me per-
sonalIy," continued Mr.. Royce. HE came
to me last week and told me that he had
nothing against me personally, but he I
thought my appointment would be a polit-l
Royce went on that the letter I got
from Ed HOch telling me what he had
done 5 worth a lot more to me than the
have that letter from him than a dozen
offices.
FARMER FATALLY HURT.