New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-03

1,e,,TIie eI,,y- into i government by party, and
ther a government OF party by the machine
Thea came corruption, roItenneSs such as was
disclosed through the insurance investigation
Because of these disclosures the people OF the
state, regardless of machine elected Charles e
Hughes because the people demanded change
and believed he would keep his campaign
promises.
ASKED KELSEY TO RESIGN.
Now when he came into office he asked KEEL
sey to resign as any man would have done, not
because of malfeasance or misconduct Kelsey
is an honest gentleman and everybody knows
il. But Hughes wanted a man with stogy boots
and brass kuuckles who would take the insur-
ance companies by the neck and that they
lived up to the spirit of the law as we'll as the
letter. He wanted it and had the right to have
il. Kelsey had no vested rights in his ottice.
Hughes is standing on the ground with both
feet, and he wants the people - know what he
is standing for. The responsibility - off his
shoulders and This is a question bigger
than any one man or any one party: If concerns
members of all parties, and the r,embers of that
party which declines to measure up to the de-
mand viii hear from il in the future The Gov
ernor voices the ideas Of the people that Kelsey
hold with high hand and clean house regard
less of earthquakes and devastattons by fire.
That's what the people demand and what they
viii get in the end They have stood this hocus-
pocus and the alliances Of wealthy corporations
and politicians as long as they can. When a
Republican Governor like Hughes makes such a
request owe 1t to ourselves, TO him and 10 the
people of the state 10 grant It, | suspect pol
itics Is being played here when | the line
ups on side the members of the other party
in large majority against this request; it looks
dangerous TO a man this side Of the chamber.
Senator McCarren sprang to the rescue Of the
Kelsey side at in a striking defence of zone
of the most honest and conscientious officials
who ever served the state" He said
We might as well be plain about this and call
things by their right names If there is any
reason To vote against Mr.. Kelsey it will be
because we believe what the Governor says Of
him. The Governor says Kelsey lacks vrility
ability
] don't believe him. l know much about that
department and the administration Of Kelsey as
any ordinary Senator. | cannot point to
single instance which would permit me to vote
for his removal except on the theory that l was
a craven and coward. At the peril of heing
heId up as representative of the corporations
and the Insurance combine want to say that
the Insurance business in this state is a corpse.
We In the ember days. Carrying out the
provisions OF the present laws put the state In
a position where the vast amount OF this in
suranCe business will be restored. l don't
believe Otto Kelsey would have made these
mistakes in framing the laws. ! deplOre the
attempt of Senator Human to inject a party
spirit into this case. l have approached 1t with
an untrammeled mind. on the testimony OF
the witnesses alone am obliged 10 that no
duties Of the Superintendent better than Otto
Kelsey not even our Governor.
NO AUTo11AToN. SAYS MCARREN
I am no automaton. to be coerced or driven in
this If my own father were Governor and
asked me to vote for Kelsey's removal l would
not do it, # were the only man in the Senate
10 vote against It; for l feel II would do injury
10 an honest capable official Every Senator
should pass on this case on its merits. not on
the basis OF whether President Roosevelt or
Governor Hughes wants IT done. not even the
basis Of having 10 live year and hale more
of official life with the Governor I have been
told a Democrat I should uphold the hands
of this Governor, because he had the ear Of the
people. I have asked these persons II they knew
Kelsey or the merits of this case They did not.
hut they knew the Governor was IN the lime
light Any man who would he moved by such
considerations is a coward and not fit 70 sit In
this Senate.
Senator Hooker. one Of Superintendent Kel-
seys close personal friends, declrred that
neither President Roosevelt nor Governor
Hughes. II he sat in the Senate. would be
moved by orders or public clamor. The insur-
ance laws were not TO be considered quite like
the tablets handed down from Mount Sinai, he
said, and averred that the Governor was not
small enough to hold malice against any one
who voted for Kelsey from conscientious mo- |
tves. Then. turning his attention 10 Senator
Armstrong; allusIon TO weak sisters" of yes
terday, Senator Hooker pictured Mr. Armstrong
Horatius al the bridge alone. almost over
whemed. But just then UP came the Governor
with a sword labelled "apportionment" and a
buckler, appeal 10 the people" Behind him
again President Roosevelt with federal pat
ronage; while back Of him, in a host of sup |
porting seraphm and cherubIm, state
Chairman Woodruff and County Chairman
Parsons. each delivering his senator's. If left
10 their own DESIRES" he shouted. there would
not be a division OF the members this
question"
To this Senator Page retorted that it seemed
that he must apologize for being with the men
ranked as the most popular and wisest in the
country. Still, he would rather follow their
leadership than that Of Senator McCaTren and
Senator Grady and Senator Raines.
Senators, you can take your choice said he
Those who wish to follow Senator McCarren
when he appeals TO conscience and honor are
welcome-I prefer the other side. 1 can't see,
either, that following that side means having
no mind of ones own l never was much of a
rubber stamp man. and am a little too old to
learn that trick now" He went to say that
Otto Kelsey, instead of having been deprived of
rights. had received every consideration at the
hands Of the committee and added
With his message demanding Kelsey's re-
moval the Governor transmitted the testimony
Of Kelsey himself and l say that the testimony
has justified every charge in the message
These charges were not met. Before the judi
ciary Committee they adopted the legal method
known confession and avoidance" The in
surance investigation found grave rottenness
due TO neglect OF duty OF certain officials who
falsely stated that certain conditions existed
Does the Superintendent drive them out.
these men who have betrayed their trust and by
their lies misled his predecessor? No. Why
says Kelsey There bad earthquake and
fire, and the conditions in the insurance COM
panies made necessary the retention Of these
calamity and the possibility of great loss made
il incumbent on him to have men for investiga-
ton whose word he absolutely could rely,
PAGE REPLIES TO HATCH
Then Senator Page took up some of the test-