Evening star., 1903-07-22

service. No one has higher appreciation
of his character and services than l. But
since, under the circumstances. a change
in the Office of auditor is necessary, we are
very fortunate in being able to secure Mr..
John r. Garrison. His high reputation. eS-
pecially for his work as auditor for Porto
Rico. made me desirous, from the time that
1T seemed necessary to consider men out
side of the District government. that he
should be selected, and / am very much
gratified that he was chosen.
The report of the treasury experts jusu
fies the action of the Commissioners in
thus providing for an independent examina-
ton of the matter. Their recommended
tions. in so far they have not been an
ticipated by the changes in the system
already made by the Commissioners are
entitled to and will receive most careful
consideration.
THE principle the treasury experts rec
ommend. that all receipts of whatever
character should go to the collector of taxes
and all Disbursements be made by the dis
bursting officer, which has been adopted
already by the Commissioners, Is all had
in mind when 1 said. when Watson's defal-
cation was reported to us. that l had long
thought the system was not right. l had
thought that theoretically that principle
ought to be adopted. But as I then said,
1 trusted fully in the auditors judgment
and expert skill, and believed that he must
have good reason for the whole system.
The Auditors Qualifications.
i was told. when took office, by lead
ers in Congress and prominent treasury Off
cials that the auditor was one of the Best
in the United States. and 1t never occurred
to me that there was any safeguard lacking
in his office. The auditors office and those
of the collector of taxes and the disbursng
officer We're never assigned to me in the di-
vision of duties among the Commissioners,
and therefore did not go into their details
but considered only recommendations made
by the Commissioner in charge of them,
who. when | came into office. was an hon
ored veteran in the service of the District
My hands have been full with my own de-
partments. and the extra duties assigned
the president of the board. In the absence
of the other civil Commissioner l, of course,
had temporarily supervision of his depart
ments also. but could only keep up with
their regular business
Name Suggested by Friends.
Mr. Garrison was not a candidate for
auditor of the District and did not make
application for the position. His friends,
however. suggested his name and urged his
qualifications.
John R. Garrison was born in Stafford
county. Va, and is about sxty-four years
of age He still owns the farm in Virginia
on which he was born. He was educated
In the common schools of Virginia, at
West River Classical Institute. Maryland;
College. Carlisle, Pa. He is graduate and
post graduate of the law department of
Columbian University, this city, a lnew-
ber of the bars of the Supreme Court of
the United States. Supreme Court of the
District. court of claims and of the supreme
court of Porto Rico.
Mr.. Garrison is an expert accountant of
great ability. He served as an accountant
in the office of the controller Of the treas
ury for thirty years, having been promoted
through the different grades Of the SER
vice to chief of the division of diplomatic
and consular accounts.
He held the office of deputy first con-
troiler for eight years, hc ing been ap-
pointed in 1SS5 and going out of office in
1898 He accepted a position in the office
of chief clerk of the War Department in
office of the auditor for the State and other
departments in 1899. During April of that
year he drafted the auditing regulations
for the new insular possessions.
Goes to Porto Rico.
In May. 1899, Mr.. Garrison was offered
the position of auditor for Porto Rico,
shortly after Gen. George W. Davis be-
came military governor He almost imme-
diately went to Porto Rico and began the
Of the auditing system for the
island This system was continued. with
but slight notifications under the civil
of the island Upon the inaug-
1909, President Mckinley appointed Mr..
Garrison auditor for the new government
and he thereby became member of the
executive council Of the island, pursuant to
the provisions of the Foraker law. AS a
member of the council Mr.. Garrison served
as chairman of the committee on finance
and appropriations. chairman Of the
printing committee and as a member Of the
Judiciary committee.
Mr.. Garrison resigned as auditor Of
Porto Rico April 80 1893, to accept the po-
sition of chief of the division Of customs
in the Treasury Department, and has been
hlllng that position to the thorough satis-
faction of the treasury officials ever since
he entered upon the duties of the office.
Announces Acceptance.
To a Star reporter Mr.. Garrison said: II
have accepted the position of auditor of
the District. rendered to me by the Com
missioners. with profound sense of the
high responsibility attaching to this hon
orable and important office, and with the
earnest intention and purpose to devote my
best efforts and constant labor to a faith
full discharge of the duties.'
High officials in the treasury express re-
gret that Mr.. Garrison is going to leave
the department. Secretary Shaw regards
Mr. Garrison one of the most COM
petent men in the service of his great de-
partment
AN ASSISTANT ATTORNEY.