Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-11-17
GARNETT BECOMES
COMMISSIONS HEAD
New Member Is Chosen as Chair
man by Vote of Judge
Wingheld.
PRENTIS ON SUPREME BENCH
Judge George M. Harrison Sue
ceeds Judge Cardwell as
President Of Court.
PRENTIS ON SUPREME BENCH

Within a few minutes after taking
the oath OF office. Christopher r. Gar
nett. recently appointed by Governor
Stuart to fill the vacancy on the state
Corporation Commission caused by the
elevation Of Judge Robert u. Ircnts.
its chairman. 70 the Supreme Court
yesterday was elected chairman Of the
commission.
The proceedings We're brief and
without particular ceremony. Judge
William i. Rhca, ranking member Of
The commission since tho resignation
of Judge Ircutis. presided. Commits
sioner J. Richard Wingiield, in whose
hands the matter Of the chairmanship
rested was the first IL vote. casting
his ballot. after II brief explanatory
address. for Nj. Garncti. The future
chairman then voted for himself, tax
ing tho position that he could, as head
of the commission. render better service
TO tho state Judge IihcA. with the
issue already decided. refused I" indi-
cate his choice
Mr. Garnc,t as chairman of the
state Corporation Commission. becomes
ipso facto. a member OF tho State Tax
l,oa rd to which body he has rendered
conspicuous service during the last
few months as counsel and executive
assistant. Though no hint had been
Givcn BY those who held tho secret as
to who would succeed Judge Prcnt!s,
those who "er" IN position intel
iEcntly 10 analyzc the situation suc
gcsted Mr.. Garnett. principally for the
reason that he. in his capacity OF legal
adviser 10 tho Tax Board. has made an
exhaustive study Of the states tax
problems. and is better fitted. perhaps.
TO help In their solution than one who
IS not quite so intimate with them.
WINGFIELD CASTS DECIDING
VOTI: FOR GAtNET-T
After declaring that his age and
health preciuded him from standing
for a position which carries with IL
SO much OF arduous work. Commits
sioncr Wiurfcld. IN casting the first
vote. explained why he should vote
for Mr.. Garnett.
1T puts me IN q very embarrassing
position to decide between you" he
said. There IS an old saying. 4 could
be very happy with either. II tother
dear charincr were away" The situa-
ton is that Mr. Garnet succeeds Judge
prcntis who was clcc- II last February
chairman for ono year. In some States
they have rotation iu office. and that
may be "A good way-wc have never
tried IL here in Virginia Il would
seem natural that Mr. Garnett should
come into Judge prcntis's place. but.
on tho other hand. Judge Rhca has
been longer on the commission than
any one Of us Priority or service or
of standing in service. in legislative
nodics is generally acted on. but not
invariably.
There are some practical cousidcra-
tons that appeal to me. one is. our
work is divided mp into departments
certainly as 10 attention 20 details. To
put Judge Rhca in now as chairman
would give him comparatively new
work. and Mr.. t;arnctt would have new
work. The work chairman is re-
lated mainly TO the issuing OF char
tcrs. That takes most of the time. in
NolvinE legal questions AS to the Tax
Board. which tho chairman becomes "A
member Of cx oficio. that board has
immense power over the persons and
property Of tho citizens of the State.
and IL seems 10 me desirable that all
sections of the State. as far as prac-
iicablc. should he represented on that
hoard. The Iiorcrnor comes from the
same section as Judge Rhca. and that
section would seem to lie adequately
represented now. For these practical
considerations I cast my vote for Mr.
C;arnett."
JUDGE RHEA DOES
NOT VOTE At ALL
Judge Rhca. who was presiding, d.
rected Mr.. Garnett to vote next.
Il vote for myself" said Mr. Garnett
mot for personal considerations but
because I believe | can be of greater
service TO the State in that position
than otherwise. ] am sorry that I am
forced to cast my vote before Judge
Rhea expresses his choice"
IF that is the wish of the majority
OF the commission" said Judge Rhea.
1T is not necessary that ! should vote
Al all. Mr.. Wilson will prepare the
order appointing Mr.. Garnett chairman
Of the commission"
The new head of the body FIRST came
into prominence politically in 1911,
when he managed the campaign Of
Representatives William \. Jones and
Carter Glass for the United States Sem
ate against Senators Martin and Swan
SON. Two years later he directed the
fight OF John Garland Pollard for At
torney-General OF Virginia, his prin-
cpal winning out over the incumbent.
Judge Samuel w. Williams, of Wythe,
hy narrow margin. Mr.. Pollard, on
succeeding to office. made MIR. Garnett
Assistant Attorney General.
Mr.. Garnett was born in Mathews
County on July 80. 1875. and graduated
from tho University of Virginia with
the degree OF master of arts in 1895
From 1901 to 1904 he was dean Of the
Womans College. in this city. finding
time to study law at night On leav-
ing the Womans College he was pro-
fessor OF law at Richmond College for
three years.
The election OF Mr.. Garnett's sue
lessor as legal adviser To the State Tax
Board probably Will be made within
the next few days. Governor Stuart
who is chairman OF the board. said
arda hrf bn In Il