The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-03-21
YOUNG REFUSES
TO QUIT OFFICE
GOV. HALL REQUESTS THE RE-
TIREMENT OF BANK EXAM
INER w. L. YOUNG.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Shreveport.-The right of Gov. Hall
to summarily remove State Bank Ex-
aminer W. l.. Young will be tested in
the courts. Mr.. Young, whose resigna-
tion was demanded by the governor
on the ground that his work has not
been satisfactory, declines TO resign,
declaring that the charges of the gov
ernor are so vague that he cannot
reply to them intellgently, and fur
ther. that as his office is a constitu-
tional one, he can be removed only
upon the two-thirds vote of the Gen
eral Assembly. In this view Speaker
l.. f. Thomas and others concur.
Accompanying the order of re-
moval, a statement was made in the
executive department, partly as fol
lows:
'Mr. Young was appointed during a
former administration, and was re-
tanned in office, Notwithstanding there
may have been strong political reasons
why he should be replaced. The en-
ployees in the department were not
disturbed. The governor was not dis
posed to make changes unless the good
of the Service seemed to him to re-
quire. He had not sufficient informa-
tion at the time to justify the conclu-
sion that the work of the department
was not, satisfactory. However, Mr..
Young then expressed, and has since
reiterated, his willingness and pur-
pose to retire whenever the governor
should deem 1t desirable.
For some months complaints of the
conduct of the department had be-
come so persistent as to render the
situation embarrassing. Soon after
the defalcation in the receivership of
the Teutonia Bank and Trust Com
pany became public the governor had
one of more conferences with Mr..
Young.
while the governor made no
charges against him, he detailed to
him some of the complaints against
him. 1t was difficult for the governor
to get definite and specific informa-
ton as to the grounds for complaint.
Without reciting details, 1t may be
said that Mr. Young denied that there
was any just or reasonable foundation
for such complaints"
On March Gov. Hall received
from Mr. Young letter in response to
his demand for the examiners resig-
nation. He reviewed the case at
length, said the charges of the gov
ernor were so vague that he could not
reply intelligently to them; that he
would not hesitate to reorganize his
department if it could be shown where
any member had been guilty of mis-
conduct and then concluded:
"You are reminded that mine Is a
constitutional office, like your own,
and the law provides a method for
determining culpability or innocence
of such officers when accused of negli-
gence or violating a trust reposed in
them.
Il respectfully question your right
to call for my resignation, and it is
not my intention to transmit same to
you. If there is anything in my Of
ficial conduct which merits inquiry
and action by those clothed with au-
thority in law to consider and pass
upon the matter. will cheerfully sub
nit to their investigation, judgment
and decision: but | will not submit to
the request of your excellency for nv
resignation, and by so doing acknowl-
edge myself guilty of faults which are
not mine and of offenses which l did
not commit"