A CHANGE OF COMMISSIONERS 167 
Several friends told me they had written strong letters 
to the judge urging my appointment, and I learned after- 
ward that many letters were sent of similar tenor. 
A FRIENDLY CONFERENCE. 
From the above, the reader may readily infer that Mr. ' 
Bramhall and myself were both prepared for a heart-to- 
heart talk on that evening of April 20, 1897, in question. 
We went over the subject quite fully. He explained to me 
how Judge Depue had sent for him—much as he had sent 
for me just before the appointment of the first commission, 
in 1894, as noted in Chapter II; how he (Mr. Bram- 
hall), had frankly stated that he was not a candidate, could 
not accept an appointment, and his aversion to even ap- 
pearing to countenance any action unfavorable to my reap- 
pointment. After further conversation with the judge, Mr. 
Bramhall stated, he said to him, “Mr. Kelsey is as well 
equipped as any man in the county to fill the position; his 
appointment is favored by me and I have so stated.” 
The judge then made answer: “I cannot consider his 
appointment. Pressure has been brought to bear against 
it.” Mr. Bramhall said that he then asked the judge the 
direct question why my reappointment could not be con- 
sidered. The answer was not forthcoming. Later in the 
conversation the question was repeated, but the information, 
he said, “could not be wrung” from the judge. Mr. Bram- 
hall said he then indicated that, even though he should ac- 
cept the appointment, he could not serve the full term. The 
judge was urgent. Mr. Bramhall finally assented to the 
appointment; but before doing so it was agreed between 
them that before the appointment was announced Mr. 
Bramhall should see me and that we should talk the matter 
over together. This we did without reserve. 
A PROPHECY FULFILLED. 
After he had related to me what had occurred during his 
conversation the evening before with Judge Depue, I stated 
that I was glad to be relieved of the duties, which for two 
