The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-12
WILLARD D GABLES
HIS RESIGNATION
Commissioner Tells Gov
ernor He Cant Serve
Rest Of Term.
CALLED TO PARIS
TO SEE d A vi LILY
Governor Mann, Taken by Sur.
prise, Declares That He Can
not Say Who Will Succeed
Him-Swanson, Gordon,
Wingheld and Aiken
Mentioned for Place.

Colonel Joseph p. Willard cabled
yesterday from Paris to Governor Mann
his resignation as member of the
State Corporation Commission, to take
effect at once. The Governor has not
accepted it and would not enter into
any discussion as to who would be
named for the uneXpired term.
Tn private telegram Colonel WILL
lard gave as his reason for his resig.
nation the III health OF Mrs. Willard.
The resignation came as complete
surprise to State officials Commits
sioner Willard left Richmond quite
hastily about two weeks ago. alarmed
by reports of flood conditions in
France and the fact that his family
was at the time in Paris. He reached
Paris last Saturday and cabled friends
in Richmond announcing their safety.
Governor Mann said yesterday that
even since Colonel Willard left the
city, and without his knowledge, he
had received a number of letters in
dorsing him for reappointment whsn
his term expires in 1872.
Colonel Willard, after serving one
term as Lieutenant- Governor of the
campaign for the governorship, was
appointed to the Corporation Commis-
sion by Governor Montague shortly be-
fore that official went out of Office.
His term expired February !, 1912.
Governor Mann Surprised.
s.The caoleGran is complete sur
prise to me- said Governor Mann yes
terday. II canot say as yet what 7
shall do In regard to II. l will not
even say as yet that I Will accept it.
will take the matter up as soon as
possible. however, and after comforting
with Colonel Willard's friends, will no.
tify him by cable of my action. IT is
possible that he may be induced TO
withdraw his resignation aud serve
his term out. In case that cannot be
arranged l shall take UP as soon as
practicable the question of appointing
his successor. l have only just re-
ceived the cablesram, and haven't as
yet given the matter a thought, and,
OF course, cannot mention any names
al this time. With the Legislature in
session and the excessive demands
made on my time. and the constant In
terruptions. I have not been able as
vet to even canvass the situation and
consider possible appointment. II
il becomes necessary. however. to
make an appointment. l snail endeavor
to act in time to have it confirmed by
the present Senate"
While answering in most friendly
way questions regarding Colonel VIII
lard's resignation and as to his suc-
cessor the Governor was disposed to
regret the necessity for making the
matter public at this time. and, indeed
expressed some surprise when reporter
for The Times-Dispatch called on him
for confirmation of the fact of the
cablegram.
II wish you had given me a few days
to think it over" he said, with a smile.
"Now / shall be besiesed with letters
and kilograms and callers urging the
appointment of all sorts Of people, and
really my time is already taken up
Like Mr.. Roosevelt. have my policies
TO put into effect. and it takes time
TO confer with members of the Legis-
! Continued on Eighth Pase.)