The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-17

member OF the State Tax Board.
could not in justice to myself or the
public interests undertake that work.
| am now nearly seventy-one years
old, have only one lung. and am
sick in the winter at times. You two
young men have the strength and
health that l have not I understand
either one, or both, of YOU would APP
preciate the Office. Is that true. Judge
Rhea?"
BY Judge Rhea: You have stated
your understanding?
BY Mr.. Wingfield; "You would ac
cept the position"
BY Judge Rhea: Yes"
States His View of Situation.
BY Mr.. Wingfield: TT puts me in
very embarrassing position to decide
between you. There Is an old saying,
I could be very happy with either. If
tother dear charmer were away The
situation is that Mr.. Garnett succeeds
Judge Prentis. who was elected las
February, chairman for one year. In
some States they have rotation in Of
flee. and that may he A good way-we
have never tried 1t here in Virginia.
1t would seem natural that Mr.. Gar
nett should come into Judge Prentis'
place; but on the other hand Judge
Rhea has been longer on the commits
sion than anyone Of us Priority Of
service. or OF standing In service, In
legislative bodies is generally acted
on, but not invariably There are
some practical considerations that ap-
peal to me. One is, our work Is d.
vided up into departments
as to attention to details. To put
Judge Rhea in now as chairman he
would haya ra% nplr
and Mr.. Garnett would have new
work. The work as chairman Is re-
lated mainly to the issuing of char
ters That takes most OF the time,
involving legal questions. As to the
Tax Board which the chairman be-
comes a member of ex-offcio. that
board has immense power over the
persons and property OF the citizens
of the State, and it seems to me de
slrable that all sections OF the State
as far as practicable should he rep
resented on that board. The Cover
nor comes from the same section as
Judge Rhea and that section would
seem to be adequately represented
now. For these practical considera-
lions I cast my vote for Mr. Gan EFT
BY Judge Rhea; Mr.. Garnett-"
Mr.. Garnet: "You desire me to
vote first? ?"
BY Judge Rhea: Yes"
BY Mr.. Garrett: II vote for my
self; not for personal consid erations,
but because | believe l can be Of
greater service to the State in that
position than otherwise | am sorry
that I am forced to cast my vote be-
fore Judge Rhea expresses his choice"
BY Judge Rhea: "If that Is the
wish of the majority OF the commits
sion, IL Is not necessary that 7 should
vote at all. Mr. Wilson will prepare
the order appointing Mr. Garnett
of the commission"
By Mr.. Garrett: Il want to say. |
gentlemen, that 1 come into the office |
with the intention OF working in har-
mony with both Of you. I am sure it
Is not necessary to assure you of that. |
shall endeavor to make q careful |
study of the laws in connection with |
the work of this department, and in |
that way expect to be of greater SER |
vice to the department and the State. |
BY Judge Rhea: II desire to say
that l rectprocate that sentiment and
any service that ] can be to YOU. out
of my experience here, / will be glad
TO render to you"
BY Mr.. Garnet: II also want to ex-
press my appreciation OF Judge Wing
held's voting for me, and assure him
shall endeavor to continue to hold
his respect and do the best I can for
the State in such manner as to show
that | am worthy Of his regard"