The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-03-12
REFUSED TO RESIGN
WHEN ORDERED
Col. Joseph F. Scott, Native of Ven
mont, In Conflict With Gov.
Sulzer Of New York.

| Albany, n. ". March l2.-Col. Joseph
f. Scott, superintendent of state oris-
ons last night refused to comply with
demand made by Gov. Sulzer that
he resign. Under the constitution the
superintendent may be removed by the
governor upon charges after an oppor-
tunity to be heard. Charges based upon
the recent report OF the governors com.
mittee of inquiry, which investigated the
prison department, will be served upon
Col. Scott today, il was said last night,
with request that he file an answer,
after which date for hearing before
the governor will be fixed The commit
tee of inquiry did not recommend the
superintendent removal but submitted
conclusions" which the committee re-
ported in its opinion require eXplana-
tion and if possible justification by the
superintendent of prisons"
The friction between Col. Scott and
the governor, according to friends of the
superintendent, arose over the latter's
demand that Charles F. Rattigan of Au.
burn, member of the Democratic state
committee, be appointed warden OF Au-
burn prison. Col Scott refused and at
that time told the governor he would
resign rather than appoint the Auburn
man. The governor let matters DRIFT
for time and apparently an amicable
understanding was reached between the
executive and the superintendent. Then
came the Thaw bribery scandal and
charges against the prison department
which had the effect of dissipating all
hopes of the friends of the superintend
ent that matters would be satisfactorily
adjusted.
Gov Sulzer has asked me to resign
and | have refused said Col Scott |
last night. 81 prefer to be removed on
charges than to tender my resigna-
ton"
The governor made formal demand /
upon the colonel Monday for his resig- |
nation. The superintendent was given |
until yesterday to decide whether he I
would resign and late yesterday after |
noon John A. Hennessy, executive audi
tor, was directed by the governor TO
learn the colonels decision. The colonel
requested personal interview with the
governor, which was granted. Mean
while, efforts were made by Senator
John f. Murtaugh of Elmira, one of the
,olonel's advisers, and Senator Wagner,
president pro tempore of the Senate. TO
smooth over the situation, but the gov
Arnor declined to consider any PROPOSE
ion except the resignation of the su-
Col. Scott declined to resign on the
ground that he has been attacked an
believes the situation, so far as he is
concerned, is different than when he Of
erred his resignation to the governor"
aid Mr. Hcnnessy last night "He said
lis relations with the governor at that
ime were harmonious.
Il have been informed that Atty. Gen.
'armody today advised Col, Scott to re-
ign and he told the general he thought ,
e would. When the colonel talked with .
he governor today We inferred he would !
esign, but apparently he has reconsd-
red and is determined not to give up
is office voluntarily.
THE governor has decided to prefer
harges against Col Scott and copy :.
t them will be served upon him to- J
morrow. They will be based upon the j.
ndings of the governors committee of
nquiry'
lpril IL next, according to an opinion {
wen the SpFCIUDf DN NAltHliut IuNlOE, I
xecutive counsel. Mr.. TAYLOR says when
oil. Scott's nomination was sent to the :
mate by former Gov. John A. Dix, :
was stipulated that it was to fill the !.
acancy caused by the resignation Of =
ornelus V. Collins. This contention,
Ir. Taylor says, is borne out by The
enate journal. For these reasons. he =
olds that Mr.. Scott was appointed 70 :;
Il vacancy and not for a full term 7
five years.
Col. Scott who was appointed state
iperintendent of prisons on May 81 r
III, came to this state from Massachu-
tits in 1903 and served for three years
superintendent of the Elmira reform
.orv. In 1906 he was chosen state .,
Iperintendent of reformatories and the in
apanoch reformatory was added to his V
risdiction. Prior to his Identification o.
it'll the management of New York state el
nal institutions he assisted Col. Gard fe
II Tufts in establishing an educational W
stem in the Massachusetts reforma- hi
ry at Concord, and was superintendent il
that institution from 1901 until '003. al
il. Scott is native of Craftsbury, to