The copper era and Morenci leader., 1918-02-08

ernor was really reluctant to dismiss Cobb, personal friend and loyal SUD- porter of years standing is indicted by the fact that he gave the engineer the opportunity of retracting the state mems in his lengthy epistle
 This Cobb refused to do, replying that his resignation was already in the governors hands to be acted up- on at the executives pleasure. The letter of acceptance from the gover- nor to the engineer is as follows:
 Gov. Hunt to MT. Cobb.
 My Dear MT. Cobb:
 I regret to advise you that in view of recent events find it necessary to accept your resignation as state en- gineer, effective immdiately In this connection, however, do not wish you to understand that your resigna- tion is being accepted on the grounds which supported your rendering it on January 18th, for at that time there existed no circumstances which would have led me to pursue the course which I have now adopted. My action is based, rather, on the unfortunate and ill-advised publication by you, against my own wishes, of a letter which you addressed to me on Fri day, February 1st, and which appear ed in the republican press of this city on >the morning of February g.
 Notwithstanding your previous good record as state engineer. and our past friendly and harmonious working re- lationship, cannot, as governor justly be made to assume any respon- sibility whatever for your statements, which were. in my judgment, wholly knl crable men who hold appointive of fees under my administration. With the personal differences existing be- tween you and those gentlemen, am not officially concerned, further than to deplore the fact that those diff ferences have impaired your useful ness to the state to such an extent as to render my present action neces- sary. I am firmly of the opinion that the people of Arizona are primarily concerned with the honest, efficient transaction of public business, and not with any animosities that may regret tably exist between state officers. In this conclusion I trust that you will share, and that you will. accordingly, realize that only with change of per sonnel in the present organization connected with state highway con- struction, the work contemplated by the legislature and the laws which they enacted may go forward without delay.
 To conclude, I must earnestly as- sure you that I entertain, the friend Hest feeling for you personally, and a quick appreciation of your ability as an engineer and as supervisor of public work. Shall be pleased at any time to demonstrate that good will and appreciation by certifying to your efficiency in your profession, on request. To bear out my statement herein, I am proceeding to great ex' tent with your own good judgment as d foundation in the selection of your successor, who will be MT. B. M. At wood, the field engineer who. has | worked so effectively with you dur irg the past several years. I trust ] that this appointment will meet with ycur approval, and that your success sor may have your good will and co operation for the public benefit in continuing the work in which you have heretofore been engaged.
 Very sincerely yours,
 Geo. w. P. Hunt,
 Governor of Arizona
 Having removed the state engineer the governor accepted the resignation of Homer Wood. as chairman of the | commission, and the one who receiv ed the hottest of the engineers with ering fire of broadsides in his letter
 At the office of the commission il was said that MT. Wood had gone tt Prescott on business connected witt the commission. It was said thls morning, previous. to the announce ment of his resignation, that he I: still in Prescott on business.
 Gov. Hunts letter to MT. Wood ac cepting his resignation follows:
 | My dear Senator:
 With the utmost regret. herein ac cept your resignation as chairman O the commission of state institutions as filed by you on January 31, 1918 prior to your departure for Prescott.
 It is of course, thoroughly under stood between us that this accepts nc' of your resignation is conveyed fo the reason that you are unable to de tote your whole time to the duties O this office, and have, therefore, III gently requested me to relieve yo' from your official duties. In this con action, however, I desire, officially and personally, to thank you in tn
 warmest terms for the services whicl you have rendered the state durin
 your incumbency as a commissioneI and to assure you of my earnest ar preciation of your action in consent , ing to be commissioner at sacr flee in certain measure, of you
 business affairs.
 In accordance with the wording C your resignation, my acceptance ther of will take effect as soon as you successor is appointed and qualified which will probably be accompffshe
 today.
 Very sincerely yours, (Signed) GEO. W. P. HUNT. Governor of Arizona. Ever since coming into office in D' : cemher the commission of stats il stitutions has been the center , turmoil not only in reference to Jh