The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-02
Governor Creates Big Sur
prise in Official Circles
by Asking Three
to Resign
DANIEL w. TROY
OF MONTGOMERY
is NEW SECRETARY
Announcement of Appointment Made
Simultaneously With Requests
for Resignations-Beli
McNeel Would Resign
Some Time Ago

Montgomery, May 1.-(Special. )-Gover-
nor O'Neal this afternoon requested and
Immediately received the resignation of
John D. McNeel. his private secretary;
James II. Nunnelee. his recording secre-
tary, and D. T. Simpson, a stenographer
IN his office
The resignation of MIR. McNeel wat
sought on the ground that he is an ap-
plicant for federal appointment, while
Mr.. NunneIee was. asked to discontinue
his services in the executive offices by
reason of the fact that he is a candi-
date for the office of secretary of state.
No reason was assigned by the governor
in asking for the resignation of Mr..
Simpson
for the resignation of Mr.. McNeel the
governor announced the appointment of
Daniel W. Troy of Montgomery to the
position of private secretary. Mr.. Troy
has been for the past two years en-
ployed as special counsel to compel for
state laws relative to registering to do
business in Alabama and designating an
authorized agent.
Big Surprise
The request for the resignation of three
of the attaches of the executive offices
came as one of the biggest surprises In
official circles at the capitol in several
hof
Neel would probably resign as secretary
to the governor within the near future
but there had been no intimation in Of
fetal circles that Recording Secretary j .
II. Nunneee would for any reason dis
continue his services in the executive de-
partment.
In his letter requesting the resignation
of Mr.. Nunnelee, Governor 0'Neal de-
. clared that he had been subjected to
criticism by reason of the fact that he
tNunnelee) was seeking an important pub
lie office while holding position of trust
In his office.
Consent to No Prestige
you will readily understand that while
personally your friend, 1 cannot consent
that any prestige or influence which your
position may carry should be used, or
appear to be used, in aid of your can
didacy," said the governor. 81 never OBJ
ject to criticism unless in my judgment
that criticism is just. Believing in this
case that criticism Is well founded, it
does not seem to me that there is any
alternative for me to take except to sug-
gest that your connection with me Off
cally should cease. | am constrained,
for these reasons. to ask you for your
resignation. | wish to express to you
my gratitude for the loyal and efficient
service you have rendered while you have
been connected with my administration,
and to assure you of my best wishes"
The letters requesting the resignation
of the three officials of his office were
delivered to them by Stenographer H.
r. Spangler who is employed as an as
sistant in the executive offices. The let
ters were delivered shortly after 6 clock
this afternoon. Immediately after re-
ceiving the governors letter requesting
his resignation, Recording Secretary
James f. Nunnelee wrote the governor ii
very warm letter, thanking him for the
many courtesies he had received at the
hands of the executive and assuring him
that he would be as loyal in the future
as he had been in the past.
Sincere Language
Mr. Nunnelee's letter was couched in
sincerest language and closed with the
assurance that should the governor at
any time offer for a public office he
would give him his most hearty support
Private Secretary John d. McNeel did
not give out the governors letter asking
for his resignation or his reply to the
governor. When asked late tonight for
the letters, Mr. McNoel said that while
he was perfectly willing to give them
to the press he preferred that they should
be given out by the governor. lie de-
, elared that he thought it was due the
the governor that the chief executive
should make the correspondence public
rather than that he should. Daniel w
Troy, the successor to John d. McNeel
as private secretary to the governor, will
take up his duties at once.
Mr.. Troy has been employed by the
governor the past two years as special
counsel to keep track of foreign corpora
tions doing business in the state in vio-
lation of the law. and through his agency
the state has collected something like
$4,000. Mr.. Troy is a native of Mont
gomery, and is a lawyer of excellent
ability. Governor ONeal is believed to
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