New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
DOTY WON'T RESIGN;
DOESN'T WISH TO STAY
Makes Public Letter to Dix, but
Through Lawyer Asks Friends
Not to Take Action.
DENIES ALL ACCUSATIONS
In Justice to Himself and Fam
lily Cant Concede Basis IN
Charges Made by Re-
signing, He Says.

Dr. Alvah II. Doty Health officer Oh
the Port. waited until yesterday before
giving 10 the press copies of his reply W
the Governor so that the Governor mlsn'
receive his letter first, although wheh 're
Governor wrote DR.. Doty requesting MS
resignation the papers got the letter be-
fore DR.. Doty. The Health officer natly
refused to resign for two reasons HIS
letter read:
In the first place. the position Of Health
Oficer of the Port OF New YORK is one Oh
national and | may say international IN
nortanCc For the last sixteen years /
nave conducted that office To the Utmost OF
my ability, with unsparinS labor ana with
constant effort 10 adopt the most auo
vanced scientific processes or Quarantine
believe that | have been successful IN
putting its affairs upon a hlgh pane OF
efficiency. ] have been fortunate chouSh
IN win the unanimous commentator OIL the
great physicians and the sanitary and quar-
sntine experts Of this and other countries
J have also been fortunate enough TO pre-
vent during my administration the oI pi,
break of any epidemic of communlcaole
disease introduced through this pos, ana
] have further been able 10 acCohi'IIsn
this result in such a manner as TO Ille e.s
,he approval Of the commercial lntere t,ts
of the harbor Of New York, including the
importers and the exporters. - g. ~
To offer my resignation in the lace OF
these so-called charges would unPisdSaLI ..
reflect upon the physicians and the mer-
chants who have bOnOred me with lhelr
confidence and appreciation. II would De
an injury 10 the cause of progressive ana
There is certainly no quarantine office in
the world charged with such responsibility
as that Of the Health Oficer or this port.
For the Incumbent OF that office, after an
administration of sixteen years, to resign
under such circumstances would be 10 iout
and discourage the efforts Of all those sci
eutists and laymen who have so generously
and effectively held up my hands in my
effort 10 discharge my duties.
Furthermore, and as a second reason why
7 should not resign, is the fact that | be-
an admission that there was at least some
basis for some of the so-called conclu-
slOrs o. the commissioner.
From my knowledge OF the testimony
do not believe there is any trustworthy
proof 10 support these conclusions and that
all Of the matters alleged against me have
been overwhelmingly dissproyed and eX-
scter Also. ] am conscious in my own
breast OF no such derelictons of duty as
are suggested
In Justice to myself and my family,
therefore / cannot by resignation concede
that there is any basis for these charges.
Then Dr. Doty took up the accusations
MED them. but directly contradicted the
Governors Interpretation Of the evil
dence. The letter covered thirty-one
tvpewritten pages 4 brief statement
supplementing me letter was made pub
lie in the afternoon by George Gordon
Battle, DR.. Doty's lawyer, which eX-
planned that DR.. DOty. though he could
not in justice to himself and his friends
resign. nevertheless intended to inter
pose no technical obstacles to the action
Of the Governor. This statement said:
He does not wish TO continue in Office if
he is TO be hampered and harassed as dur
Ing the last year He cannot discharge his
trying and RESPONSIBLE duties under the con-
slant strain OF such conditions. He does
rot intend. therefore, TO take any legal
proceedings to maintain his tenure of Office.
Nor does he wish his friends to make any
efforts i'm his behalf 70 influence the action
OF the Senate upon any appointment That
may be made by the Governor.
Or. Doty IS conscious that he has done
his duty to the best Of his ability He IS
more grateful than he can express for the
plcndid support he has received from
physicians. scientists. merchants and the
public generally For this support he eX-
tends his earnest appreciation and thanks.
But he has. as he believes, aCcOmplish ed
his main 0D1eCt-WElCu was 10 snow tIdl
his administration had been faithful and
efficient and such as to justify the conf
denCe Of his friends.
To further contest the matter would have
the appearance OF q mere effort 10 hold his
ofFce-an effort which is Tepugnant TO him,
and which he has no intention to make.
He therefore authorizes his counsel 10
state that although he has refused 20 re-
sign he does not intend TO contest either
IN the courts or i'm the Senate the appoint
nent Of his successor.
On the contrary he Will welcome the ap-
pointment and hopes that the appointee VIII
he qualified by character. ability and eX-
perience 10 continue the work. Dr. Doty
Will always he glad 10 extend TO him, II
desired, his assistance and advice
Albany Dec. Ex-Governor Dix had no
comment 10 make to-day on Or. Doty's
refusal to resign as Health Officer of the
Port Of New York
1t is believed the Governor will send the
name OF Dr. DOty's successor TO the Sen
ate next Wednesday, when the Legislature
Convenes II the nomination is confirmed
Dr. Dotv will automatically retire. as his
term expired i'm January.
Colonel Charles Il. Davis, candidate Tor
Mavor OF Albany last month, is being
talked Of by his friends here as Dr. Doty's
successor lie was Health Commissioners
Of Albany from 1896 10 1895