The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-01
WELL DONE, Mn. noNouoE.

that the Commonwealth or Virginia
ever had retired yesterday. and the
office was created in 1876. In Auditor
Donohoc this State had not only q
good and faithful servant, but one who
fearlessly did his full duty. or all
the administrations which that Office
has passed through his was the most
constructive. The appointment of Cap
tain Donohoe in 1910 IN the hest ap-
pointment yet made by Governor Mann.
There wac nothing OF pstty personal
politics. nothing Of pcrfunctoriness,
nothing OF let the clerka do the work
while tho chief hangs around In the
retiring Auditors conduct of his Of
Zoe.
Donohoe la a name that will BIO re-
membered In the governmental annals
OF Virginia. Hero was public ser
want who had the good courage to
take tho people into his confidence.
who realized that publicity in their
affairs 10 n right of the people and
not privilege TO be granted b. Office
holders When his frnt aad only an
nunl report was published he was not
content with simply Offering the mys-
terious maze OF bcw!ldering figures.
which signify nothing TO tho people:
the otnceholders who arc serving life
terms were inexpressibly shocked
when they heard that nc had enough
initiative and interest in tho people 10
write n preface TO his report. which
Explained briefly TO the public tho con-
dillon OF the State finances. and which
contained most excellent and practical
suggestions.
what did this man Donohoe DO? Ha
collected tho revenues Of the State
with exacting thoroughncss. He
warned the General Assembly OF the
hned or greater care in formulating
me appropriation bill In tho light OF
ne states financial condition. He re-
HWted monthly settlements from city
hhd county treasurers. so that the
hhaAc!ai demands OF the State might
hH thet. ana so mat prompt accounting
""uid cur OH the possibility of the
i'-iHe!!hE Oh pubic money for temper
'F priYatc use There is no good
'e's"h' Aaio me- why such funds
s"ou'd DC retaincd by them for lengthy
pcr!ods' ana good government de-
H"HdS much. He declared that q emil
"hhuai settlements are contrary to
every sound business policy" He add
co mat the manager OF any great
railroad system or other large bust
ness enterprise who required settle
ments by MS collecting agents only
twice year would be speedily re-
moved for incompetency. II is just as
essential FOR the State to receive her
revenues as collected as 1t Is for any
business concern to have the benefit
OF It's earnings as they accrue" Fur
fhermore, Auditor Donohoe urged that
trcasurers be required TO proceed i'm
mediateiy after december 1 with the
collection of unpaid tax bills instead
of waiting until months later to do
It. He recommended that clerks OF
courts be required to settle monthly.
because, as things stand Some of them
hoM of until threatened with legal
proceedings, and much unnecessary
delay and inconvenience is thereby
caused. He pointed out that there has
been TOO much delay on the part of
many commissioners of the revenue in
completing their work and forwarding
tne'F assessment Docks 10 the Auditor.
bespite All tne Auditor can do, these
oiiioers sedio IN 'heir BOOKS when long
o'e'uue "nu greatly 10 the detriment
ot '''e puDi'o service lie suggested
'"' '"spenai'h OF ueiihqueht commits
SioHS' . - VIC -AudlloT OF by the local