New-York tribune., 1905-07-02
DURHAM HAS RESIGNED.
Dauid Martin, His old Enemy, BE-
comes Insurance Commissioner.
rn,-r1rcrApH no THE rn1BUNE.l

TsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
pbi1adeIphfa July 1.--Of all the une1Pecte"
things that have come out OK the uphe'
Pennsv1vania politics since the machine tried to
toroo tb-oueb tho ras lease. the resignation TO-
day of Israel w Durham as State COMMISSIONS.
Of Banking and Insurance and the appointments
NJ David Martin as his successor have caused the
greatest stir. The fact that Durham nov
Rarded as a dsposed leader, took 10 the "oou'
Yesterday, when he had been regarded as reaus
to stick to the machine to the last ana ti1'
Martin was his aforetime enemy wlthln ths VI
SANITATION, is looked upon as the strahses1
meta roornhosis of the tremendous mix-up in
local and State politics. But four men III All
the State knew of the plan. They were Durham
himself Governor Pennypacker, Senator rem
rose and David Martin. and the announcement
to-day brought a food of surprised ejacuiatiohs'
with few men, even those closest TO the "hiioii
leader giving it credence.
resigned for 1t had been believed ever since
Mayor Weaver cast off his allegiance TO the or
ganzation that or later he wouId oe
obliged TO give up the insurance commissioner
ship but it was the appointment OF Martlh tnat
came like a thunderbolt from cloudless SKY.
1t was Durham who downed Martin IN the
great fight for the nomination for Mayor, when
Samuel H. Ashbridge was elected, and II was
Durham who got Martins scalp after the latter
had COMPLETED his term as Secretary of the Com
monwealth. under Governor Hastings. II "Go 90
Durham too who kept Martin so completelS IL
the background in local politics since they leIi
ont as the once famous combine" that no one
believed it possible the oneti1ne ledder coul1
succeed his fallen enemy. The move is ascrlped
to Senator Penrose who was closeted Win ths
Governor early in the week, and 1t is Tegafdeu
as an attempt at shrewd politics The hope is
apparently to place Durham completely IN tne
Background and rehabilitate the machine.
Harrisburg July 1-Simultaneously with the
announcement of David Martins appointment
the Governor announced the appointment or
captain John c. Groome, of Rosemont, to be Su-
nerintendent OF the State Constabulary, created
by the last legislature. Captain Groome is COM
mander of the famous First Philadelphia City
Troop.
Durharn's resignation is undated
Governor Pennypacker in his reply said:
I accept your resignation as Insurance Com
missioner this day rendered to me- In so do
ing it is only just to you to say that no COM
plafnt has ever been made to me concerning the
conduct of affairs in your department, and
many letters have been written to me by per-
sons having the best opportunity for knowledge
expressing approval.
Governor Pennypacker then quotes letter
from E. c. Irwin. president of the Fire Associa-
ton of Philadelphia, in which the latter says,
among other things. that the Insurance Depart
ment at Harrisburg under the administration
of Mr. Durham has been conducted in the most
honorable and straightforward manner, and as
such has been a credit TO the State. and
there has been no breath of scandal connected
with IT,