Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-18
KELSEY WILL NOT co
State Insurance Chief Declines
 to Resign Office.
GOVERNOR HUGHES TO REMOVE HIN
Appointed by Late Frank W. Hig- gins For Three Years, Claims
 That to Quit Would Mean

gins For Three Years, Claims That to Cult Would Mean Dishonor.
 l ALBANY, N. T., 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. 12, but withheld from publication in the suspension of matters following the death of ex-Goy- ernor Higgins.
 Governor Hughes also gave out his brief letter dated Saturday in reply to that of Superintendent Kelsey, i'll 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.
 l Superintendent Kelsey's letter to the I governor is as follows: T 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 IT, 1906, after appointment by Hon. Frank w. Higgins, then govern or, and confirmation by senate, the vote being unanimous therefor. have served faithfully through months of overcrowding work and critical con- ditions arising from the San Francisco confiagration 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 term of of fice fixed by statute at three years and conscious of no cause for abandoning 1t, I respectfully remonstrate against the proposed summary disposition of my official life. To resign under exec utive compulsion 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 have borne an active part in state affairs and have steadily endeavored to merit the favor and confidence of good citi- zens. I feel most keenly that such ac- tion would be held in dishonor, and l am unwilling to subject myself and my family to such sacrifice. In so deciding I recognize that the alterna- tive of 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"
 The reply of Governor Hughes to MT. Kelsey is as follows:
 "I have received your letter of the 18th inst It is unnecessary for me to repeat to you what I said in our interview regarding the reasons for the conclusion that it was my duty to ask for your resignation. To the fullest extent compatible with the public in- terest I 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 a 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 Mir. Hughes that if the Re t publican candidate was elected gov ernor the colonel would not be a candi date to succeed himself as railroad !. commissioner. but that he wished tc