New-York tribune., 1906-05-03
SUPERINTENDENT KELSEY.

f.ovnvnor HIGGINS has happily solved the dlf-
Acult nroblem of finding well equipped man
for SUperintendent of Insurance COhtOlel
KELSEY has unquestiOned probity, goou auniin-
istrative ability and long experience IN puDnc
life The Governor is fortunate in being able
20 iud,,ce him 10 leave the Controllers office.
To which he could doubtless have been renomi-
mated next fall for the more trying work Oh
the Insurance Department
The Governor has been seeking a S5ooo
man for a $1,000 place. 1t was from the hrst
obvious that except for the remote chance OF
getting some one of wealth who could aHofd
to disregard salary. nobody of suitable caliDre
actively engaged in large affairs could be Sc
cured The scale of incomes in this city Is such
that no business man of the experience requi-
site for the place could take it without great
sacrifice. Fortunately the scale of living in
the rural counties permits men Of comparable
talents and training to exist on the salary wnlch
the state provides for offices demanding large
ability. In the 7th Judicial District justices OF
the Supreme Court receive salary OF S6oUO'
little more than One-third of what Is pald
here for similar service, and the leading law
y,ers asDire to the bench To these conditions
we owe the presence in public life of such
man as Otto Kelsey. With his character and
ability he would, If he lived in large city. De
Managing some important business or con-
ducting so valuable law practice that ne could
not afford TO hold Office. He was for many
years a Member of Assembly from AVlhgstoh
County and rose to leadership in that Dody'
His record as Assemblyman and Controller is
absolutely clean. He has steadily refused 10
use the patronage of the Finance Department
for party or factiOnal purposes, and mas rallh-
fully obeyed the spirit Of the Civil Service
laws.
Mr. KELSEY can be trusted to enforce the new
insurance laws thoroughly and impartially and
at the same time with conservatism and COM
mon sense, free from all sensatiOnalism There
was danger that under the peculiar conditions
existing a Superintendent might be tempted to
play to the galleries and indulge in spectacu-
lar investigations to justify his appointment In
the eyes Of certain critics. No doubt the Gov
ernor will now be criticised for appointing a
man long connected with the state government
instead Of some distinguished person from out
side It is well known, however that the Gov
ernOr has sought far and near in private life
for the right sort of superintendent, and ap-
preached several men Of undOUbted fitness with
a view to their appointment. He has pTactl-
cally been driven to the alternative of choosing
some unknown and inexperienced person or a
trained administrator of proved honesty, firm
ness and capacity already in Office We think
he has chosen wisely, with a view to the best
interests Of the people.
Mr.. Kelsey has before him a difficult task.
He must put in force n new code in a way
which will at once restore public confidence
and avoid unnecessary interference with the
insurance business. 1t is evident that the per-
sOnnel Of the department needs to be considera-
bly, changed to adapt it to its new work, and
we believe Mr. Kelsey can be trusted to reor-
ganize his force without regard TO political or
personal pressure and to give an administration
which will command public approval both for
it's honesty and it's efficiency