Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-02-18
GOV. HUGHES
TO ACT SOON.
State Insurance Chief Refuse TO
Resign Says His Term
Is Not Yet Up.

ALBANY, y. y, Feb. 1S.-Otto Kel-
sey of Geneseo respectfully declines to
accede to the request of Governor
Hughes that he resign the Office of
state superintendent of insurance. to
which he was appointed in MAY Of last
year by Governor Higgins upon the
expiration of the term of Office of
Francis Hendricks of Syracuse.
Superintendent Kelsey made pub
lie last night his letter TO Governor
Hughes, dated Feb. II. but withheld
from publication in the suspension of
matters following the death of ex-Gov-
enor Higgins.
Governor Hughes also gave out his
brief letter dated Saturday in reply to
that of Superintendent Kelsey, in
which the governor expresses regret
that you have seen fit to take the at
titude stated in your letter."
MIR. Kelsey is in New York, but is
expected here today. Governor Hughes
declined to add anything to his letter
or to indicate what would be his next
step in the matter.
Superintendent Kelsey's letter to the
governor is as follows
81 am unable to comply with your
request for my resignation from the
Office of superintendent of insurance
for the state of New York.
"The office was assumed by me on
May II. 1906, after appointment by
Hon. Frank w. Higgins, then govern
or, and confirmation by senate, the
vote being unanimous therefor. l have
served faithfully through months of
overcrowding work and critical con
ditions arising from the San Francisco
conflagration affecting the branch of
fire insurance and new statutes and
changed circumstances resulting from
the legislative investigation and report
upon the affairs of life insurance.
Having entered upon a term of Of
flee fixed by statute at three years and
conscious of no cause for abandoning
it, | respectfully demonstrate against
the proposed summary disposition of
my official life. To resign under exec
utive. compulsion a trust imposed up
on me by your predecessor would to
the public appear as an admission of
wrongful conduct in Office and would
leave my character and reputation de-
fenseless against any odious calumny
inspired by any purpose and from
any source. For many years 1 have
borne an active part in state affairs
and have steadily endeavored to merit
the favor and confidence of good citi-
zens. | feel most keenly that such ac-
ton would be held in dishonor, and
am unwilling to subject myself and
my family to such sacrifice. In so
deciding | recognize that the alterna-
tive of removal by the senate clouds
luy after life with suspicion, but |
cannot as an honest man do otherwise
than abide by my convictions of duty"
The reply. of Governor HugheSatRa Mr..
Kelsey is rs follows:
IL have received your letter Of the
10Th inst. 1t is unnecessary for me
to repeat to you what l said in our
interview regarding the reasons for the
conclusion that it was my duty TO ask
Tor YOUR GeSiSll'ttiOu. 10 tilc IulicSL
extent compatible with the public in
terest | have .endeavored to show CON
sideration for your personal position.
and / regret that you have seen fit TO
take the attitude stated in your letter"
Governor Hughes will send to the
senate, it is said, tomorrow morning n
special message recommending the re-
moval from office Of State Superintend-
ent Otto Kelsey.
Colonel George w. Dunn before
starting for Mexico sent his resignation
as state railroad commissioner to Gov
ernor Hughes. The resignation takes
effect this morning.
Before the election last fall Colonel
Dunn told Mr.. Hughes that if the Re
publican candidate was elected gov
ernor the colonel would not be candi-
date to succeed himself as railroad
commissioner, but that he wished to
retire from office.