Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-03


 Plans For Reform. ~
 ALBANY, N. Y, May 3.-The senate has voted against the removal of Otto Kelsey as superintendent of insurance, defeating the recommendation of Gov ernor Hughes by three votes. The vote against his removal was 27 to 24.
 Thus one year to day from the time of his original appointment by Govern or Higgins the senate reconfirmed Otto Kelsey in the office of state superin- tendent of insurance. Senators Cassi- dy, Emerson and GHchrlst did not vote on the first roll call, but swung Into line for removal on gall for absentees. A tremendous burst of applause greet ed the announcement of the result.
 Senator Cohalan said that in casting his vote he did so not as "a cringing slave, but as the equal of Charles Evans Hughes. challenge any one to say I am not the equal of Charles E. Hughes of or on this floorw he shout ed. He then began scathlng arraign- ment of Senators Armstrong and Page. He accused them of being without de- cency, as cowardly, as seeking news paper notorety, as attempting to curry favor with a man whom accident had made governor" The senate laughed derisiyely. q do not believe in indulg- ing in personalities in this natter" he said, and roar of laughter followed and then he followed with an utter condemnation of Senators Page and Armstrong. Denunciation of the gov. ernor's course was not lacking. It was not decent treatment of Kelsey" asserted Senator Fully. Tribute to Kelsey's personal character and off, cIal service was expressed by many, ranging from Senator McCarren with a conservative appreciation to Senator Grady with an eloquent eulogy. Per sonallties were not absent. Many tilt there was between Senator Arm strong and Senator Raines; many barbed alluslon to the Armstrong com
 
 debate on the part of the governors friends emphasized the contention that Otto Kelsey had not performed the big things, not that he was discredited or dishonest or even lacking in ability.
 'They are sins of omission, not of commission" declared Senator Arm strong. The Kelsey men, on the other hand, maintained that he had accom- plIshed big things, but things unappre- ciated by biased executive and his close supporters.
 Minority Leader Grady, speaking for Mir. Kelsey, reviewed hls long years in the public service as assemblyman. deputy comptroller, comptroller and superintendent of insurance and paid high tribute 10 his personal and ofil- cial character t
 "A year ago today" he said. ''his name came before this senate. a name of which any public servant might be proud. Now we are asked to disgrace and dishonor him. What man so poor as to wish to change places with Otto Kelsey f the senate ruins hin to- nightT'
 Senator Grady alluded to Governor Higgins agreement with Superintend- ent Kelsey as to the propriety of re- taining Messrs. Hunter and Wander peel in the department in view of fire insurance conditions after the Call Snw,.go onuAo sx~nefa,, Enrarnar Hft. gins he described as:
 Frank wayland IIiggins-as pure soul as ever occupied public office in this or any other state"
 In his action fin the Kelsey matter. Senator Grady said. Governor Hughes "was doing his duty as he saw it-aIl that any official. high or low. need say for his justification. Doing his duty as he sees it. he stands acquitted be- fore God: be should stand acquitted also before his fellow men"
 But. he ndded. senators acting upon his recommendation need for them selves ask no better justification than that they are also ''dolng their duty as they see it-
 Senator Fuller of Brooklyn Deml spoke in favor of removal. a conclu- zion to which he said be had come with great reluctance. He Iikened Superintendent Kelsey's conduct as de- picted by himself and his witnesses he- fore the judiciary committee and as self rvresled in his examination be- fore Governor Hughes 10 a case -al- ] most of pr Jekyii and Mr. Hyde
 Senator 0'NeilI of Franklin county Rep.l also in favor of removal. said be hsd much sympathy for Mir. Rel ! sey. but more for insurarce policy holders. to whose interests he said Mir |