Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-02-12

ing in the gossip, however, more inter.
esting than the talk of probable Wash.
ington interference ON behalf, of KEEL.
sey.
The message was temporarily ''laid
on the table, on orders of President
Pro TEN. John Raines, who victorious.
ly commanded the Kelsey forces a
year ago.
Growth of Corrupt Methods.
"The only question:" says the gov.
ernor in his message, sis whether the
removal of the officer is in the interest
of the service of the state" He con.
tinues:
am not unmindful of the labora of the
department of the multiplicity of details
with which II is concerned. A vast
amount of work has been performed for
many years. Yet side by side with these
departmental activities there grew up
wasteful and corrupt methods which
scandalized the country and brought the
supervision OF the department with re-
gard to the important interests of the
holders Of life Insurance policies into con-
tempt.
II became obvious that a department
might exist with a large staff apparently
busily employed; that its labors might
be represented in volumes of reports;
that 1t might make recommendation for
legislation and pass upon a multitude of
questions In the course OF department
routine without taking measures of first
Importance within its powers for the pre-
vention of abuses and the protection of
the policy holders. There was probably no
time prior to the insurance investigation
OF 1905 when the insurance department
could not have made an imposing report
of the difficulties which it had to encoun-
ter, the burdens 1t was required to bear
and the incessant labors which II per-
formed.
kelsey's Conspicuous Advantages.
But in that investigation it also APP
peared that If its energy had been well
directed and the department had been
dals which were revealed could not have
existed.
The governor says further that he
appreciates the unusual conditions
which confronted Superintendent KEEL.
sey upon his taking Office He adds,
however:
But he had conspicuous advantages.
lOUh OillCe Will dDuSeS dSCeTtalne0.
with the derelictions- of the department
known and with clearly defined obliga-
tions which were not left for him to dis
cover. but which were writ large in the
minds of all the people Of the state He
was also equipped with additional powers
I am mindful OF the important reforms
which through the pressure of public
opinion and necessary legislation have
been made In life insurance management.
Of the aconornfaa which have tNao., -
fected ans OF the improper practices
which have been abandoned. But Il
is the business Of the state to assure
the policy holders that old conditions shall
not be permitted to return and that
every needed reform shall be carried out.
Legislation must be supplemented by Wig
orous departmental action. II Is essential
that the superintendent should be fully
alive to the exigency and should make
suitable use of his power.
Mr.. Kelsey took office on May IS 1906
and has now served more than one-half
HIS term. At the time Mr.. Fleming began
the taking Of testimony he had served
for a year and i've months. He had had
full opportunity TO show whether he was
equal to his important duties.
Has Not Measured Up.
But the facts submitted establish be-
yond eavil that the present superintend-
ent has not measured up to the standard
which the state must maintain and upon
which, in Difference to the vast interests
involved IL Is my duty, 80 far as my
power goes. to insist.
Superintendent Kelsey has failed prop
sriy to TeorEanize the department and
thus 70 meet an obvious obligation. The
work Of the department had been a tray
esty on state supervision Had Il been
a branch % the life insurance companies
themselves II could hardly have been less
effective in enforcing the rights Of those
for whose protection it was supposed 70
exist IL must have been clear 20 any
one competent 20 be its chief and 20 CO.
tsblish il upon q proper basis that
thorough OVERLAPPING was necessary. No
amount Of routine WORK or Of assiduity
IN other directions can avail to obscure
this paramount duty.
The superintendent has had free hand.
as 81 appears that only three Of hts sub
abundant tire But the house has not
neen cleaned
The concluding paragraph Of the gov.
srnor-s message Is IS follows:
The matter nov presented 70 yoo is &c
which trznscen6s sny question 81 pr
sozaI regard Il involves the credit &
the state In tire circ1nnxts1css 20 which
I have referred the p@oPle % TIE state
are without coneSen-e r. tire z6rrfnisfra-
fioa of thzs important sspsrt-ezt- Thst
ee1sssncs sh5uid - restored he CO..