Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-11
STATUTE REQUIRES
CLERKS TO REPORT
Attorncy-General Pollard Holds
Them Equally Responsible
With Examiners.
BEARS ON EASLEY CHARGES
Leigh Dcnounces as Untrue
Statement That Judge Barks-
dale Helped Son-in-Law.

General Assembly alternately shifting
the responsibility for reporting moneys
In the possession OF receivers or spc-
cial commissioners. from the clerks OF
the courts to the examiners OF records
and vice versa. are not repugnant to
each other, but cumulative, Attorney
General Pollard handed down an opin-
ion yesterday in which he rules that
the duty lies with equal force against
both clas OF officers
4 ruling on this point was requested
by Executive Assistant Garnctt. of the
state Tax Board. before which body
charges had been filed against Exam
incr James S. I:aslcy, Of the Sixth Cir
cult. alleging that, in failing to report
about 100000 Of this class Of prop
erty in Halifax County he had been
negligent in his duty as examiner. On
this ground chiefly the state Tax BOARD
was asked TO remove him from office
On Saturday the board removed Mr..
Easlcy without a statement, appointing
I'm his place Tucker G. watkins, Jr., of
South Boston.
GARNETT INFORMS COURT
CLERKS Or THEIR DUTIES
Pursuant to this ruling Mr. Garnett
haS uiitcteu lle preparation OF a Ictter
to be sent to every examiner of records
and court clerk in the State. apprising
them OF their duties under the law
with respect to the reporting of
moneys. bonds and other evidences of
debt in tho hands Of commissioners or
receivers, subject to the control of tho
courts. in order that there may be no
question hereafter as TO the respon-
sibility for the performance of this
duty. The Attorney-Gencrars opinion
is taken to mean that with respect to
this class Of property the duties of
examiners and clerks are Identical and
arc intentionally made so for the pur-
pose of maintaining a reciprocal check.
To the spotlight that has ccntered
on the whole lIaSley-W episode
since the swift developments of the
past few days, the Attorney Generals
opinion contributes an illuminating ray
of momcntous interest. Nowhere I'm
his statement Is there a reference to
the controversy. The opinion. never
theless. deals directly with the issue.
the determination of which appears TO
have been Immediately responsible for
the removal OF tax officer of eight
years standing, and makes tho clerk
of tho court equally responsible with
the examiner for the dcrcliction
charged
CLERK CRADDOCK FAILED
AS DID EXAMINER EAsLEY
II Mr.. Pollard's conclusions arc cor
rect. ii follows that Clerk Gran
Craddock, of the Circuit Court of Hall
fax County, has failed in the discharge
of his official duties as signally as has
Examiner Easley in his and If the ex-
aminer's dereliction is punishable by
removal from Office so is the clerks
Mr.. Craddock, incidentally took A
prominent part in forwarding the cam
paign for Mr.. Easleys removal.
In official circles the Tax Boards
summary removal of Examiner Easlcy
continued to hold first place Yesterday
as a live topic. The feeling was gen.
eral that under the circumstances Mr..
Easlcy deserved at least a full and
rank statement from the hoard giving
the reasons which prompted it TO re-
move him. Judge Prcntis and Cover
nor Stuart were out OF the city yester-
day. and State Auditor Moore. the third
member of the board. clung to his
policy OF silence.
The Acknowledgements opinion added
tenseness to the situation. 1t was
eagerly seized upon by friends OF Mr..
Easley as fully bearing out their
charge that the allegations against the
deposed examiner. if not in themselves
inconsequential were applicable with
equal force to every examiner and
every clerk Of court in the State, and
that the silglinG out one of the herd
for summary discipline carried with it
n strong political odor.
LEIGH SAYS JUDGE BARESDALE:
HAD NO PART IN CHARGES
From the Watkins side came a signed
statement yesterday from Attorney
benjamin Watkins Leigh. who was
charged by Mr. Easiey with trumping
up against him last minute charges in
furtherance of a Contemplate plot" to
secure his removal In these machi-
nations, Mr.. Easlcy charged. Mr. Leigh
had tho assistance of Judge w H.
Barksdale, fathcr-in-law of Tucker c.
Watkins. who was chosen by the Tan
Board as his successor
Mr.. Leigh dcnounccs as false Mr.
Easiey's charge that Judge Barksdals
had anything to do with the prcpara-
ton Of the charges against the ex-
aminer. He characterizcs also as un-
true MIR. Easley's statement that he
records submitted to tho Tax Board
Mr.. Leigh lays particular stress on the
statement that Judge Barksdale had
absolutely nothing to do with the
charges preferred against Mr.. Easlcy
and knew nothing about them until
after they had been filed with the Tax
Board.
The only charge made by him against
Mr.. IIaslcy, says Mr.. Leigh, was that
he failed to carry out tho law when
made 1t his duty to examine all causes
pending In the courts OF his circuit and
in tho hands Of special commissioners,
thus allowing property TO go untaxed.
Referring TO Mr.. Easley's reply that
the law makes 1t the duty Of clerks
TO report these funds. and tho duty OF
the Judge TO sec that they are taxed
and taxes paid. Mr.. Loigh counters
with the declaration that this is not
true. and quotes section 2633a, Pollards
CONTINUED ON Fifth Page.) I