168 FIRST COUNTY PARK SYSTEM 
years had been most exacting; that I was pleased that he 
had consented to accept the appointment in my place; that 
I was perfectly well aware of the influences brought to bear, 
and the reasons why my reappointment was not considered 
by the judge; and that those reasons would not be given to 
the public when his appointment was announced in court 
any more than they had been given him, on his urgent re- 
quest, during their conversation in the privacy of the 
judge’s home. 
I hardly expected at that time, however, that the correct- 
ness of this prophetic remark would be so soon and so fully 
vindicated as it apparently was, when the appointment was 
made. The next morning I wrote Judge Depue as follows: 
“Orange, April 21, 1897. 
“Dear Sir—Mr. Bramhall called upon me last evening, 
stating that he had done so in accordance with an under- 
standing with you that you were not to announce the ap- 
pointment of my successor in the Park Commission until he 
had seen me. 
“T was astonished at his statements. My relations to the 
enterprise, its inception and development since, and my 
work as commissioner have been such that my constituency 
and the public, so far as I understand, have been satisfied, 
and I am told have asked for my reappointment. 
“Tf, in any way, my work has been unsatisfactory or not 
what it should have been to you, or to the public, I am open 
to criticism, and will gratefully receive it. Until then I 
feel, in view of the facts, that it is just and due to me to 
know why my services are discredited and my appointment 
not under consideration. 
“Tt seems to me that this statement is due you. And that 
it is equally due me in consideration of the work I have 
done in the enterprise, and the time I have given it, that 
you advise me why my name ‘cannot be considered,’ as Mr. 
Bramhall states. “Very truly yours, 
“FRED. W. KELSEY, 
“Hon, David A. Depue,” 
