New-York tribune., 1908-02-06
TOASKKELSEY REMOVAL
REQUEST NEXT MONDAY.
Demand WM Be accompanied by
Charges of Inefcicncy.
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

ALBANY Feb 5-Covernor Hughes's second
demand for the removal from Office Of Superin-
tendent Kelsey of the State Insurance Depart
ment will be sent to the Senate next Monday
night perhaps Tuesday. This was learned
definitely night.
The demand for Mr.. he sey's official head will
be accompanied by formal charges Of ineffi-
cheney, failure to perform specific duties imposed
by the insurance laws and retention in office of
improper employees These charges will be based
on the Fleming report. which the Governor has
had under careful consideration since it was
submitted to him last week Practically the only
reason the demand for the Superintendent re-
moval was not sent to the Senate with the re-
port when that was submitted was desire on
the Governors part to avoid hasty action, and
even semblance of snap Judgment, which
might give rise to a cry of persecution" Su-
perintendent Kelsey's friends have been certain
the Governor would take this action and are not
unprepared. Indeed, since the Fleming report
was published they have arranged a fairly def
mite plan of campaign. They think the same
legislative procedure will be followed with this
request taken last year-reference TO the
Judiciary Committee, and then practcaly a
trial Of Kelsey by that body, with reference of
fits verdict to the Senate. They are prepared to
argue that the Fleming report contains nothing
which not brought out in the hearings be-
fore that committee. and that the Senate, when
it exonerated Superintendent Kelsey last year.
had before it all the allegations to be made
against him this time
Some of Kelsey's friends say privately that
they believe State Chairman Woodruff. Herbert
Parsons and William Barnes, jr, to make sure
of Speaker Wadsworth's support in their battle
against the Odell movement, would order their
Senators to vote to save the insurance official.
IL IoISa Ia ct
predict that this time he will be removed. al
though they see a good fight on their hands be-
fore his removal is accomplished They laugh
at the statements of some Kelsey men that the
superintendent will be retained by vote larger
than last years If any partisan political fight
is begun, Hughes men say, or the insurance
companies take active hand In the affair."
popular sentiment will come out in the Gov
ernor,s support strongly that Kelsey virtually
will be swept out of Office by public demon
straton.
II is certain that the injection of the Kelsey
case into legislative routine at this point VIII
delay adjournment. Legislators see little chance
now that the Senate will do any real work on
the anti-race gambling bills or the Massachu-
setts ballot and direct primary nominations
measures until after the primaries.
There is even gossip among some of those who
expect bitter fight over Superintendent kel-
sey.s removal that few politicians would
rather not have legislative activity until after
the primaries Then. risk of giving the Cow
ernor an issue which might be used to his ad-
vantage in contests for delegates having been
removed, they would feel, 1t is said. no COM
junction in killing all his desired measures and
retaining Kelsey. OF course, all that specuia-
ton does not reckon on the Governors pugnac-
4tv His friends know he is not trying violently
to avoid a. contest if the Legislature or polu-
clans try to make one.