Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-02-14
ATTACK Renewed
Hughes Makes New Appeal
For Removal of Kelsey
MESSAGETO LEGISLATURE
Governor Says Insurance Commits
sioner Has Not Measured Up to
Standard Which State Must Nam
tain--Matter Tabled by Solons

Standard Which State Must Nam
tain--Matter Tabled by Solons
Albany, Feb. 12.-Governor Hughes
transmitted to the senate an extended
message again requesting the removal
from office, on grounds of incompetence
Of Otto Kelsey, state superintendent of
insurance. The senate last May, by a
vote to % to "a, refused to concur in the
governors recommendation for the re-
moval of Kelsey.
There appears to be marked differ
ence Of opinion among the senate lead
ers as to whether Kelsey should have
another hearing or whether the senate
should act upon the governors re
neWed recommendation without fur
Their taking of proof. The message was
laid upon the table "for the present"
pending its printing as "a senate docu-
ment. 1t is impossible to say how
soon the matter will be taken up.
There is considerable talk in some re-
sponsible quarters of deferring action,
even until after the March primaries
and the April state Republican CON
vention which will elect delegates at
large to the Republican convention.
In transmitting report by Mr..
Fleming, the governors special com
missioner who recently investigated
the insurance department, the governor
says that the various matters com
mented upon by Fleming appear suffi-
GENTLY in his report. and. without repe-
tition here, | commend them to your
careful considerations"
"'rhe facts submitted" the governor
says, establish beyond cavil that the
present superintendent has not meas
ured up to the standard which the state
must maintain and upon which. in defer
ence TO the vast interests involved. il is
my duty so far as my power goes. TO
insist.
The delay in instituting reforms
that are plainly needed" the governor
says further, 1.-THE failure to take full
advantage of the machinery provlded
by law for the protection of the rights
or pollcyholders. the lack of proper at
tentlon to matters. as to which the de-
partment is in Il position greatly to aid
me pollcyholders in securing the proper
lulhlment of their contracts, are with
out excuse"
Inc governor says that he appre-
ciates the unusual conditions which
confronted Kelsey upon his taking Of
nee. He adds, however: But he had
conspicuous advantages. He took Of
fice with abuses ascertained; with the
derelictions Of the department known.
and with clearly defined obligations
which were not left for him to discover.
but which were written large in the
min6s Of all the people Of the state.
He was also equipped with additional
powers.
mr.. Kelsey took office on Nav 1e.
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 year and five
months. He has had full opportunity
( show whether he was equal to his i'm
purtant duties.
The matter now presented to you Is
one which transcends any question Of
personal regard. 1t involves the credit
of the state. In the circumstances to
which have referred the people of the
state are without confidence in the ad-
ministration Of this important depart
ment; that confidence should be re-
stored. The interests of the state re-
quire that change should be made"
The governors message created
genuine sensation in the senate. Kelsey
has retained counsel.