New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-20

OTTO KELSEY.
Stale lperintendent Of Insurance whose removal
will be asked by Governor Hughes
ana some few Senators seem to be decidedly de-
hsnt as a result OF yesterdays hearing Among
some of the superintendent close friends the
opinion is expressed that lotto didn't have a
fair show" and this in great measure appears to
be his own opinion. He emphasizes this idea, In
fact for he referred to IT to-day in a statement
sent TO the Governor. and later in an interview
talked along the same line
He still maintains that his administration of
the Insurance Department has been one of much
labor and productive of results. He does not
realize that this does not meet Governor
Hughes's criticism of his failure TO carry out
most Important recommendations Of the Arm
strong committee Yet it is the record Of the
routine business transacted by his department
and the details Of work made necessary by the
Armstrong committee laws and similar changes
which Mr.. Kelsey hopes to have an opportunity
Of presenting to the Senate to Justify his ad
mlnistration and argue for HIS being retained.
SCOPE OF STATEMENT.
Some of the people seemed to get the idea
that the Governor did not conflne me TO the
facts taken up in the examination yesterday as
10 the material TO be treated in nv supple-
mental statement" said Superintendent KELSEY
4 understood very clearly when he promised
me copy of the minutes that he desired only
amplifcauon Of the facts testified to or ex-
PLANTATION of some which might not be perfectly
clear. There IS far wider scope TO this affair
than the question of dismissing or not dismiss
ing certain employees Of the department but
being confined 10 the range Of the examination
Yesterday, I have not been able to present nv
side OF the case. It seems to me that NV adj
ministration depends far more for its worth and
5Ea
spite Of the terrible pressure of work and
changed conditions in this department because
Of the new laws. This the Governor did not go
into at the examination, and I could not in the
memorandum l sent TO him to-day Why.
hadn't even time 10 prepare such a statement II
l might have presented it. Take the count of
votes. That subject received only the briefest
treatment at the hearing, but il has been under
discussion In The department for long time,
ana we think we did the best we could do
I do not care to make any statement at the
present time about my future course The Sen
ate will have TO act fits judgment dictates. If
am called on for any information I shall be
glad 10 give II, but in the mean time do not
care to rush into further discussion Of nv ac
lions"
DRIFT OF SENTIMENT CHANGED.
On most Of the people here, the showing mad.
by Governor Hughes Of MI. KeIsey's failure 10
grasp the fundamental points of his DEPART
ment duty has had a powerful effect II has
changed practically the drift Of sentiment which
before had been favorable to Mr.. Kelsey Now
while allowances viii be made for a few Of Mr.
Kelseys personal friends if they stick 10 hin,
anybody else who votes 10 keep him IN his
present place win bear the brand "anti- Hughes
The Governor by his clever action in granting,
MI kelsey's request for a chance TO explain
himself permitted the Superintendent to furnish
me reasons for his removal in his own sworn
testimony
Talk about the likelihood of a strong fight
against the Governor in the Senate is rife: and
ihero are, undoubtedly. few Senator's who
VIII fight the Governor on this question and
any others which he favors. But the best opin
ion here is that the Kelsey case is a closed
Issue, closed by Mr.. Kelsey's own showing, and
that IN the face OF his admissions none of the
men who are not fundamentally anti-Huehes
could justify their support of him
The request for his removal is likely TO be re-
feTred 10 the Judiciary Committee but may be
sent 10 the Insurance Committee On either
committee are men opposed to the Governor on
this issue, but Senator Page. his standard bear
er. is a member Of each. The talk Of smothering
the request in committee has died out Every
body comedies that no committee, after yester-
days disclosures, would dare hold UP the re-
quest Whatever fight there is must be in the
open. All the commhkee can do for Mr.. Kelsey
IS 10 give him opportunity to relate the de-
tails OF his work ia The department. After that
the case must go TO the Senate. ard few have
any doubt about the result there
Mr.. KELsEY'S MEMORANDUM.
Superintendent Kelsey this morning sent a
memorandum 10 the Governor simplifying in a
few details his testimony. Il was as follows:
I received a coy al TIE stenographers minutes
Of to-days hearing 1T S:$J o'ciocl. this evening
ana. in response TO your direction that there
SHOULD be - delay, / have proceeded at once 70
submit the following memoranda in regard 10 the
sab3ents conccrn'aa which YOU Intercepted me
IN me limited tine permitted II may not be pcs
sinle Tor me - cover tie scope of TIE inquiry
5gilr IS Gesit.
just prior 10 iny assuming Office The San Fran
cisco ccnflag.afi0n occurred. J found the
necessity u having ia the examining force men
fGsniir with the affairs and methods of exaIrina-
lions 81 the fire insurance companies II seemed
10 tnat Nh Nanderpoel owing to his long ex-
gerience, WIS equipped Tor this urgent work /
vas and am Of the opinion that Il would have
crippled the department 90 spend time endea
leg 70 obtain some new chief cK.uncr Wi.. tho
re-eFsii3' ~ seceffaDinS fp.it tHe dre situation
vas 50 imTCrtant cal imperative 7 Ielier.a IN
this fe4Iect ana with regard to all the affairs OF