The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-05
TREASURER ELLIS REPLIES ID K|LBY
 CRITICISM OE HIM
Defends His Action in Ap- pointing His Daughter as As- siStant SeCretary-TeIIs
 of His Services

VI thhO WI Nt0S0
 Montgomery. November 4.-(spe- cial.)-Deolaring that a criticism of him contained In a recent expression on the part of Governor Thomas D. Kilby is unjust. George W. Ellis, state treasurer, In statement issued Saturday, replying to a statement by the governor, appearing in Alabama newspapers Friday, says that though he is grateful to the governor for ap- pointing him treasurer to complete the unexpired term of the late Judge Bradley. if any conditions accom- panied the appointment, the gover- nor should have notified him at the time. Governor Kilby in his state ment published Friday. criticised MT. Ellis for appointing one of his daughter as chief clerk and retain ing another daughter as assistant clerk
 With regard to the appointment, MT. Ellis says it was the only ap- pointment left open when he took over the duties of state treasurer: that his daughter WAS not an app1i- cant fir this place; that 1t was ten dered her by him. and that she re- signed another position to accept it. He states also that: Tt Is a matter of comment that the governor in criticising, me for appointing a mem Der of my family to position in the office when it had been practiced during his entire administration by other departments of the state and that he has made no effort, so far as I am advised to check 1t, at least he has not openly criticised the heads of the department as in my case"
 Ellis Statement
 Following is the text of the state ment issued Saturday by MT. Ellis:
 "As much as I dislike newspaper notoriety. the attack of the gover- nor. Thomas .E. Kilhy, upon me for appointing my daughter as chief clerk in the state treasurer's office is so unjust that I would be less than human did I not reply thereto.
 No one deplores the death of Judge Bradley more than I. and would gladly have continued to dis charge the double responsibility placed upon me by his i'll health, to the end of his term. had he lived.
 After my nomination by the voters of the state in the democratic primary on August s, the governor following the long standing prece- dent accorded a nominee when a vacancy occurs, appointed me for the unexpired term, which appointment I greatly appreciated. If any condi- tions were to accompany this ap- pointment I think it only fair that the governor should have notified me at the time Instead of waiting until I had been discharging the duties of the office for three weeks and had arranged my office force. This I did by retaining those em- ployed by Judge R, L. Bradley, my predecessor. These appointment left only one position open, that of chief clerk, cause by my appoint ment as treasurer. My daughter was not an applicant for this place but knowing of her ability by reason of experience gained in cffice work for number of years.I rendered her the place. which was accepted and she had resigned another posi- tion held for several years to accept it. l regard an obligation to a mem Der of my family as sacred as if made to another and to that end will carry out my promise to her.
 Cites Ills Record
 ITO those who have been advised of my public life and know the work which I have done for the state, my action is justified, but for fear that some are not familiar with my of- ficial duties 1t is perhaps not out of place for me to say that after serving as bookkeeper and chief clerk in the treasurer office through two administrations, I was elected as state treasurer and my four years record in that office is an open book to everyone wishing to read. It was my pleasure not only to have re- commended but aided in the passage of such legislation that placed the office on a businesslike basis. In the transmission of funds to and from the treasury before the crea- ton of state Repositories, I was in- strumental in saving to the state approximately s2.000, more than the state paid me for the four years service.
 During the last two administra- ticns in the treasurer's office have carried great responsibilities and heavy duties as chief clenk at a nominal salary not sufficient to sup rort those dependent upon mo.
 'In 1918 I was a candidate for state treasurer and by reason of several changes in the clerical force in the treasurer's office, one clerk entering the service for his country in the World War and another ac- cepted a more remunerative position, my duties as chief clerk were such that I could not make a personal canvass without neglecting the states interests. Against the advice of many friends I remained at my post of duty and suffered defeat thereby.
 s'It is most unusual that after these years of faithful service to the state in subordinate positions that have not convinced the governor that I have the cause, of the state at heart in any official action taken by me upon assuming a more prom inent position.
 Usual Custom
 s"It is a matter of comment that the governor in criticising me for ap- pointing a member of my family to a position In the office when 1t has been practiced during his entire ad- ministration by other departments of the state and he has made no eff fort, so far as am advised, to check 1t. at least he has not openly critic ised the heads of the departments as in my case.
 ''The governors claim that the stenographer and another woman
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