Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-18
Mr.. Kelsey's Letter.

Will De loI Tie SeIdlG W Say WldI SIlcll De
done. His letter follows:
Mr.. Kelsey's Letter.
ALBANY, February H. 1907
Hon. Charles E. Hughes, Governor, Execu-
tive Chamber. Albany, N. Y:
Dear Sir-I 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 as
sumed by me May II, 1905, after appoint
ment by Mr.. Frank w. Higgins, then gov
ernor, and confirmation by the senate, the
vote being unanimous therefor.
l have served faithfully through months
of oVercrowding work and critical condi-
tons arising from the San Francisco con-
aagration affecting the branch of fire in
surance, and new statutes and changed
circumstances resulting from the leglsla-
tive investigation and report upon the af-
fairs of life insurance. The department
supervision of the elections of directors in
domestic life insurance, corporations added
an immense volume of technical labor to
the ordinary routine, and under new laws
preparation was necessary for the extended
and complex statistical statements, stand
ard forms and reports hereafter required
from life insurance corporations, and the
rulings and Interpretation of new provis-
ions regulating the transaction OF their
business eXacted continuous dellberatlon
upon and decision of questions presented.
In the arduouS task l consulted frequent
ly with the attorney general and advised
Gov Higgins fully as to progress IN the
department. In several conferences and
their results advice was sought and OBJ
tanned from a prominent member OF the
former investigating committee. My Of
fetal conduct has received the approval
of Gov. Higgins and has never been cen
sured by any responsible person familiar
with the facts and thereby approaching the
difficulties encountered.
Within a few weeks agter my accession
to office plan for reorganization OF certain
branches of the department was suggested
by me and has been since determined upon
and will be carried out with/the assistance
Of the legislature and state civi! service
commission. Information of this intention
was also given to GOV. higgins ana was
approved by him.
l most deeply regret what pelleVe 10 De
a mistaken opinion upon your part prompt
ing a demand for my resignation. There
is no obstacle to your receiving from the
insurance department under my charge the
most cordial, disnterested and effective CO.
operation in all measures for the better
ment of administration. There Is no other
desire in serving the people of the state
than to discharge my full duty to them
and to the officers they have placed in con-
troll of the state government.
Having entered upon term of office fixed
nv statute at three years and conscious of
no cause for abandoning 1t, l respectfully
demonstrate against the proposed summary
disposition of my official life and invite the
Justice of considering the details of my ad-
ministration prior to January 1, 1897, and
stating of your criticism and wishes with a
view of bringing the department into accord
Herewith If possible. To resign under ex-
ecutive compulsion a trust imposed upon me
by your predecessor would to the public
appear as an admission of wrongful conduct
in office and would leave my character and
reputation defenseless against any odlous
calumny inspired by any purposo and from
any source.
For many years I have borne an active
part in state affairs and have steadily en-
deavored to merit the favor and confidence nee
reward to feel that I had succeeded In
measurable degree. From my point of view
a surrender of my position in the manner
inevitably incur distrust in me by. those
whose good opinion l value. feel most
keenly that such action would be held IN
dishonor, and am unwilling to subject
myself and my family to such a Sacrlhce.
In so deciding recognize that the alterna-
tive of a removal by the senate clouds my
after life with suspicion, but l cannot as
an honest man do otherwise than abide by
my convictions of duty. Respectfully,
I ITO KELSEY,
Superintendent of Insurance.
Gov. Hughes Aeply.
The following reply was sent by Gov.
Hughes:
State Of New York. executive chamber.
ALBANY. February ID, 1907.
Hon. Otto Kelsey, superintendent of insur-
ance Albany, N. Y.
Dear Sir: have received your letter of
the 18th instant. 1t Is unnecessary for me
to repeat to you what said in our inter-
view regarding the reasons for the con-
clusion that it was my duty to ask for your
resignation. To the fullest extent COM
patible with the public interest I have en-
deavored to show consideration for your
personal position, and regret that you
have seen fit to take the attitude stated
in your letter. Yours truly,
CHARLES E. HUGHES.
Governor Hughes served notice today
upon Otto Kelsey, state superintendent Of
insurance, to appear before him at 2:50 this
afternoon to give testimony concerning the
condition of the insurance department
This is regarded as the first step of Gov
ernor Hughes toward the removal Of Mr..
Kelsey as superintendent of insurance.