The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-02
MRS. BURNS QUITS
Declaring She Would Never Re-
sign She Has Resigned.
She Had Been Threatened With
Custer Proceedings.
HEAD OF THE ORPHANS HOME
Feels Compelled to Retire I'm
der Fire, She Says.
The Governor Recommends E.
C.. Willis for Her Successor.

Another Democratic state employee
turned sadly from the pie counter to-
day and prepared to walk Eat into pri-
vate life when Mrs. E. K. Rurns sent
to the state board of control her resiG-
nation as superintendent of the Atchi-
son state orphans home. Mrs. Burns
had the option of resigning or facin 6
custer proceedings. She refused to
resign. Then, woman like, she exer-
cised the constitutional privilege of
changing her mind. She will leave the
institution September 1.
The task of separating Mrs. Burns
from the state pay roll has been more
or less on the mind of Governor Cap
per fer two months. Charges against
w. E. Brooks, chairman OF the state
board of control, were contemplated
some time ago. The charges went TO
Brooks's alleged misconduct of office
touching especially on affairs at the
orphans home and dragging into the
controversy the name of the superin-
tendent. When the nature of these
charges were presented to Mrs. Burns,
she consented to resign. Later she
consulted a lawyer and told Governor
Capper she had changed her mind.
When Mrs Burns came to Topeka
two weeks ago to attend the semi
annual contract letting, she partici-
pated in a red hot half hour debate
with the governor. Mrs. Burns called
on the governor in his office and i'm
mediately brought up a discussion of
charges which she heard were on file.
The governor assured her, it is claim
ed, that he did not desire to go into
personal matters but rather desired
her resignation on her official record.
A Warm Half Hour.
Not only did Mrs Burns refuse to
resign, but she is said to have invited
the governor to start as many probes
and Investigations as he desired. AS
for Mrs Burns, she would stay right
on the job. There was not the slightest
doubt as to the feeling of both Mrs.
Burns and the governor when that in
terview was concluded. In fact the
little visit was one of the warmest
half hours in the governors office I'M
der the present administration, ac-
cording to those who claim first hand
information.
Mrs. Burns returned to Atchison
with avowals that she would stay "just
because Governor Capper wants to
kick me out" That aVowal was two
weeks ago. Today Mrs. Burns is of a
different opinion.
1t is asserted that Chairman Brooks
of the control board had been asked
to deliver Mrs. Burns's resignation on
or before July l. This request is said
to have been made several weeks ago
in a personal letter. But Mrs. Burns
was slow to resign. She stood firm
until the last minute. Then she quit.
Il simply can't stand up under the
fire the governor has directed against
me and 1 would rather resign than
have my name dragged in the mire
the way it will be done by people who
want my place." said Mrs. Burns over
the long distance telephone today.
"OuSter proceedings against Mr.. |
Brooks were to have been filed. They
threatened to drag my name into it.
Every word was untrue and unwar-
ranted and everyone knew it. But |
simply couldn't stand the humilia- |
ton and resigned
Brooks Not in 1t.
Mrs. Burns said that she had been |
given to understand that her reSigna- |
ton at this time meant that charges |
would not be filed against Brooks. In !
discussing Mrs. Burns resignation, the |
governor said that Brooks was not be- !
ing considered at this time and he was |
only after tie head of the orphans |
home.
81 had said that if Mrs. Burns did |
not resign by July L, 1 would bring |
for her removal" said /
Governor Capper. ct did not how
nection with that statement I I'M |
derstand Mrs. Burns has resigned, al |
though have not received official no |
tice of the fact. Had she insisted on
staying, charges would have certainly |
been filed"
In his letter to the control board I.
asking for Mrs. Bu-nss resignation
Governor Capper asked that E. c. |
Willis of AtchiSOn be appointed to the /
orphans home superfntendency. Will /
lis was at the head of the home dur
ing the Stubs administration and was
succeeded by Mrs. Burns.
Il don't know what the board will |
do about naming Mr.. Willis" said
Governor Capper. Il have recon-
mended him for the place, but the APP
pointment is up to the board