New-York tribune., 1908-02-04
KELSEY FIGHT PUT OFF
Belief at albany. Though. That Gor-
ernor WU Obtain RemoUal.
TBy Telegraph 20 The Tribun.. ]


Albany Feb. 3-No message from Governor
Hughes demanding the removal OF Superintendent
Kelsey of the Insurance Department. was sent to
the Senate tonight. but il is regarded certain
that such a demand will be made In a few days
When IT comes Albany expects a fight. but
such a fight as made last year over the Sans
affair." and a successful fight this time. far az
the Governor Is concerned
Attempts being made by friends OF the Cow
ernor and personal friends OF Nr. Kelsey avert
strife such as delayed the Senats's business for
nearly three months the last session Some OF
the Governors supporters have told him that hs
made his position perfectly plain last year. and
since the Fleming report only presented specific
instances of the neglect and inef9cency which he
charged then. and the Senate had rendered judy
rent he would not be considered renniss IL he did
not ask again for Mr.. Kelsey's official head
Friends of MIR. Kelsey have been urging him.
since the Fleming reports publication. to avoid
the storm by resignins Immediately. Their argu-
nlent is that the Senate's failure to dismiss hin,
furnished official certificate of character which
would be endangered IL he persisted IN fighting
removal besides which fight this year would
compel some of his. friends either 70 desert him
or assume position sure to result IN great dam
age to themselves
Neither the Governor nor Mr.. Kelsey would dis
cuss the case to-day. Senator Page had a long
talk with the Governor about this and iegts-
Iative affairs. Senator Horace White. OF Syracus.
who took a prominent part IN the Kelsey defencs
last year. conferred with Mr. Kelsey this morning
did Senator Hooker, another Kelsey man After
his talk with the Governor Mr.. Page declined 70
discuss the Kelsey situation Senator White had
nothing to say until he should the document
which the Governor might send to the Senate. Mr.
Hooker also had nothing TO say
It is certain. however. that xrr. Kelsey VIII no,
resign and that he Will fight along the grounds
assumed before II Is equally certain that the Gov
will demand his removal There has been
little discussion about the possibility OF leis-
iatiou reorganizing the department and SO wiptns
out Mr.. Kelseys official existence not ths
way the Governor does business. He believes Mr
Kelseys continuation in Office IS dangerous thing
since It prevents reorganization OF the department.
and a high standard Of efficiency there. His
friends say he will take the direct road to what he
desires-demand Mr.. KeIsey's removal. then having
obtained IT, appoint able after his own
heart and enjon him to make the necessary
changes. he did with Clark Williams in ths
banking department.
The unanimity with which friends OF the Gov
ernor and Of Mr.. Kelsey privately agree that that
official will have go Is surprising. in view OF tbs
fire and fury with which the Kelsey men attacked
the Governor last year Their fire is out and their
fury spent now. There will be election OF Sens
tors next fall. a state election and a Presidential
election. Several Senators still speak feelingy OF
the reception they got from their home folks af-.r
the Kelsey vote, and would hesitate long before CIV
ing cause for another such occasion
Governor Hughes's popularity is undoubted by
the Legislature now. though there souls d1ss-
ton ABOUT II at the beginning OF year conse-
quently, while II Is possible that the Kelsey casa
may become involved IN legislative political tan
gle. as IL did last time. and assume proportions
far out OF the ordinary. 1t Is distinctly unlikely
Far more probable is II that the Kelsey ulen-nos
so many as last year-and the Democrats nav
naks light for time. then surrender suddenly.