New-York tribune., 1908-02-21
KELSEY TO KEEP PLACE?
TOTE NEXT WEDNESDAY.
Senators Eliminate Governor De
mdnd from Case.
nv Talc-ranh % The Trihune. !

case a special order for next Wednesday, made
| its settlement that day certain, and practi-
| cally assured Otto Kelsey of retention in office
by divertng skilfully the responsibility for the
demand for his removal from Governor Hughes
| to The New York World" author of the charges
against him. and Matthew C Fleming. who in
vestigated those charges. The resolution fol-
lows:
Resolved That the consideration Of the mes
sage of the Governor transmitting the report Of
Matthew c Fleming of his investigation of the
charges made by The World against the Su-
perintendent of Insurance and of the Depart
menf of Insurance and all the accompanying
papers and documents, together with such COM
runications from the Superintendent of Insur
ance as he may desire TO make with reference
thereto on or before Monday, February "a, and
any reply that may be made thereto by Mr..
Fleming, De made special order for Wednes
day, February 2s. Immediately after the reading
of the journal
That when the consideration thereof shall be
concluded the presiding officer shall put the
question: Shall otto Kelsey be renewed from
the office of Superintendent of Insurance."
The clerk of the Senate shall call the roll Of
shall vote in the affirmative the said Otto Kelsey
shall be removed from office.
DRAWN BY SENATOR RAINES.
This resolution was drawn by Senator John
Raines. the majority leader, after talk with
Governor Hughes in which he satisfied himself
that 1t this set of charges on which Mr..
Fleming had passed. Kelsey supporters tonight
they have avoided any punishment from their
constituents for attack the Governor by
eliminating him from the Kelsey situation. They
are planning now to have majority of the Re
publican votes in the Senate registered for
Kelsey. and there seems good reason why
they should not obtain them.
Superintendent Kelsey Will not appear as
witness. he will not be represented by counsel
There will be taking OF testimony, no trial.
The procedure will have he advautare of
ing away the Kelsey difficulty quickly. as SEN
ator Raines promised when the Governors
recommendation for the insurance superntend-
ent's removal went in 1t will have the addi-
tional advantage for the Kelsey men, as Hughes
men admit with some bitterness of shunting the
Governor to side and disarmng him of his
weapon, public opinion. The Governors friends
are admitting candidly that they have been out
seneralled, and are in no position TO fight his
battle any longer.
Hughes men privately express much concern
lest this second defeat on Kelsey presage a de-
feat for the Governors legislative policies, in
Guiding the anti-racetrack gambling bills and his
ballot reforms. Il is the talk the Capitol that
Speaker Wadsworth is definitely opposed to the
repeal of the Percy-Gray law and the enactment
Of the Agnew-Hart bills. Their passage in the
Senate, while possible, will be beset with diff
culties. Most people here are coming TO the be-
lief that the Assembly may be counted on to
kill the bills The Codes Committee of the
lower house is strongly against them If they
ever are reported with this committee opposed
TO them and Speaker Wadsworths antagonism :
10 them known, il will be only by a tremendous
battle to discharge the committee. Even that
would not indicate clearly that sufficient votes
could be obtained to pass the bills, Senator
Raines and Speaker Wadsworth both have de-
elared their antagonism to the Governors Mas
sachusetts ballot proposition. His direct pri-
mary recommendation is sIunlbering peacefully
RESULT OF VOTE NOT DOUBTED
Now that the Kelsey mems plans are known,
nobody doubts the result of the
vote Wednesday.
This method of procedure was adopted at a
conference held yesterday by Senator's Raines,
Davis Armstrong, White, Page. Hooker. Tully.
Hinman, Aids and Cassidy. The resolution
itself placing the vote the question Shall
Mr.. Kelsey be removed from the Office Of Super
intendent OF Insurance." was drawn by Senator
Raines. His shifting of the responsibility for
the charges from the Governor TO a newspaper
was opposed in the conference by Senator Hin
man, who questioned the advisabiIity Of such a
procedure. Senator Armstrong Joined him. but
Senator Raines pointed out that the report of
Mr.. Fleming contained numerous references to
the charges, and that it only fair that the
situation should be treated it existed
When Senator Raines offered the resolution
to-day Senator Armstrong again pointed out on
the floor Of the Senate that it not right to
characterize the charges as coming from The
New York World" but he did not press his Op-
position and the resolution was unanimously
adopted
Senator Grady. minority leader, rather
piqued that he had not been posted as to the
operations of the Republicans.
u did not suppose" he said. that such an i'm
oil
minority would have had a larger representa-
tior present. 1 have no desire TO delay consid- |
Grafton of the matter
In reply. Senator Raines said
While regret that the opportunity has not |
permitted me to consult the minority leader |
about the provisions contained in this resolu- /
ton there can be opposition on either side /
TO bringing this matter TO a speedy consideration
The Superintendent desires TO relieve the Sen |
ate from long drawn proceeding, and. as
the resolution meets with his approval, I do |
not believe there be any opposition on |
either side"
Il have no purpose whatever replied Mr. |
Grady Ito delay the case in the slightest
Senator Armstrong then attacked the pro-
prety Of making the charges those of The |
New York World" II regard It $ somewhat |
SIGNIFICANT that neither the Governors message |
nor the report of Mr. Fleming contains any rev
erance TO The New York World This language |
In the resolution regard as inaccurate and un-
dienifed 20 be spread upon the records, said he. |
The provision was defended by Senator White. /
of Syracuse who said: "As I understand ii, |
The world made the charges and MI Fleming |
did no. make any charges. but investigated the |
CHARGES Of The World"
Governor Hughes would say nothing when /
Informed of the action OF the Senate, excen: |
n call attention to the following phrases in his |
,assa0a to the Senate, recommending the re- |
roovaI Of Mr. Kelsey: