The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-27
RumOr That He Will Be on
Tax Commission.
Governor Hoch Is Non Com
initial Concerning Action.
HAS MADE A TENDER.
But Will Not Tell who Is the
Man.
Judge Dale's Letter Declining
Place Made Public.


Judge David NJ. Dale formal letter
declining to accept the office of tax
commissioner of the state of Kansas.
There are several rumors current
today as to who will be offered the
place. One is that it is to go to Judge
Frank Doster, ex-chief justice of the
supreme court. Judge Doster is out
of town today
1t was also reported this morning
that Martin Henderson of Marion, a
We'll known Democrat of the Fourth
district might get the place. Martin
Henderson is a good friend of Cover
nor Hoch, and is also a well qualified
lawyer.
Judge Dale extends high praise and
compliment to the administration of
Governor Hoch, but says that he does
not want to give up his law business
and move away from Wichita, even to
accept the call of duty" Times
have apparently changed since Judge
Dale was willing to obey the "call of
duty and be the Democratic candi-
date for governor.
Governor Hoch said this morning:
81 have already decided who 1 will
offer this place to next. But 1 will
not announce the name until I know
that he will take the office. 1 have
already had several conversations
with him on the subject
1t is certain that Governor Hoch
will adhere to his determination to
place a lawyer on the board. 1t is al
so believed that the man will be
Democrat. Governor Hoch had con-
ference this morning with the two
members of the state tax commission,
and it is presumed that he revealed
his plans to them.
Governor Hoch will probably an
nounce his appointment this after
noon. If not today, the appointment
will be announced Saturday.
Among the candidates who have
been mentioned are n. p Farrelly OF
Chanute and P. w. Goebel of Kansas
City Goebel will not get the place
because he is not a lawyer. Farrelly
is not likely to land because he is con-
sidered TO be too much of a politician.
Some talk has been heard among
the state house crowd today to the eff
feet that Governor Hoch might con-
slider that he had done his duty by the
Democrats, and that he would now
appoint some Republican to the posi-
ton. In this connection the name of
Judge Stillwell of Neosho county has
been mentioned. Judge Stillwen re-
signed recently on account of the
health of his wife. He did not want
to remain on the district bench be-
cause it required him to be away from
home a considerable portion of the
time. By taking place on the tax
commission. he could move to Topeka
and be with his family all the time.
Judge Stillwell is a very able lawyer,
board very acceptably.
Judge Daie'S Letter.
Judge Dale's letter declining the
position, which was received by Gov
ernor lIoch this morning. is as fol-
lows:
MY Dear Governor:-In compliance
with my promise to you to thoroughly
and conscientiously consider the ques-
ton of my acceptance of the position of
state tax commissioner, which you so
oil n
broad spirit shown by you in offering
me this position, 1 am free to say it
has been the hardest proposition ever
put up to me for a proper solution.
Your remarkably fine and broad let
ter and strong personal appeal to the
cause of duty has touched me most
deeply and 1 have given the matter the
earnest and careful consideration to
which it is entitled and canvassed it
from every angle imaginable.
Il agree with you in the view that
this law is the most important legis-
lation enacted in twenty years and the
work of the board tremendously i'm
portant' therefore realize to the fullest
extent the important duties devolving
upon each member of the board.
From a very careful study of the/I
provisions of this new tax law 1 am
convinced that should 1 accept the Of
to give it all my time as the duties
connected Herewith would demand my
entire attention and the best of my
ability to bring forth the desired re-
suits. Aside from this the act itself
calls for the entire time of such Off
cials and couldn't conscientiously ac-
cept an office and in any degree slight
the duties pertaining thereto.
Such acceptance would necessitate
the loss forever of a very profitable law
business and compel my removal from
a city 1 have lived in for 2715 years,
thus leaving people with whom I
have formed strong business and social
relations and in a great measure sac
rifice home interests and comforts not
easily acquired in another community.
MY wife and 1 have lived all our
married life in Wichita. Our home,
exactly suit US, and it would be a
great hardship for both of us to make
the change necessary for the proper
fulfillment of the duties pertaining to
the office you seek to honor me with.
Financial sacrifice alone would not
deter me from accepting this position,
as L have heretofore on account of
call to duty made such sacrifice, but
other considerations discussed by US
as stated herein compel me at my age
in life to look upon the matter in
somewhat different light than I would
if / were a much younger individual.
81 realize fully also that your sue
cessor Will probably not be as broad
gauged and non-partisan IS you are
and that the interests and policies
may demand a board of tax commits
sioners subservient to their interests
and demands. l know full well that
this law will be unpopular to the tax
dodgers and certain corporate inter-
ests and that before the law can be
given a thorough trial the "knock-
ers' - hammers for the scalps of the
officials who are honestly and con-
ex1fA 1dnaUnriTc IN IN Ivy