Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-07
WAGE HOT FIGHT
AGAINST EASLEY
Examiner of Records of Sixth
Circuit Charged With Neg
lect of Duty.
TAX BOARD MAY ACT TO-DAY
Monster Petition, Signed by
1000, Urges Appointment of
Tucker C. Watkins, Jr.
TAX BOARD MAY ACT TO-DAY

Charges OF negligence and iuci'i
cheney in Office were laid against EN-
amner of Records James S. Easley. OF
the Sixth Judicial Circuit. yesterday
by Attorney benjamin Watkins Leigh.
OF Houston. at an executive hearing
held by the State Tax Board in Gov
was present in person. entered Il Wig
orous denial.
The charges marked the culmna-
tton OF sharp contest that has been
wagcd for months against Mr.. Easlcy's
reappointmcut as examiner of records.
He is being opposed for the office by
Tucker c. Watkins, Jr.. of South Bos-
ton, whose candidacy dates from the
passage by the las, Legislature of Il
bill designed to bring TO an end the
terms of all present cxaminars Of
records. and to make these officers sub
ject to appointment and removal by the
State Tax Board. instead of By the
circuit courts.
While there are at least three other
circuits in which the examiners have
opposition. the contest in the Sixth has
overshadowed all others. Friends of
Mr. Watkins have secured to giant
petition indorsing him for the ex-
aminership the signatures OF 1000
prominent business men, manufacture
ers and farmers OF the Sixth Circuit,
and enormous pressure has been
brought to bear on the Tax Board TO
secure his appointment in the place of
the incumbent
CHARGE INATTENTION TO
AND NEGLECT OF DUTY.
Papers. charging Examiner Easley
with inattention TO duty, and negli-
gence have been on file with the Tax
Board for some time. but all informa-
tion concerning the charges had been
sedulously withheld. The board met
last Saturday 10 take up the matter
OF passing on the cXamincrship ap-
pointments. but adjourned TO hold an
other meeting yesterday. 1t will meet
again at II o'clock this morning, and
VIII probably announce its decision as
TO this and other appointments.
Mr. Easley came before the board
with no counterbalancing petition, but
offered instead numerous letters of In
dorsement from prominent citizens in
ms circuit. He based his claim to re-
appointment. he said. on the record he
mas made as an efficient public officer
since his appointment in 1905
rms record was challenged by At
lorheE Leigh who told the board that
large amounts OF taxable moneys I'm
the hands of special commissioners in
various chancery causes. in the County
vi tailiaN. had not been listed by Mr..
f-asleE Tor taxation, and hence had
not oeen taxed because OF the 'negli-
gence and inefficiency of the examiner"
men MT Easley entered a vigorous
denial or this charge. Mr.. Leigh pro-
ouced copies of original court records
or Halifax County tending 10 show
mat In hfty-six such suits, the moneys
in the hands of special commissioners
had not been listed for taxation by
Mr. iaslcy. and so. he claimed. had
escaped taxation for years.
The total amount of the moneys ac-
quilted of taxation in this manner, Mr..
LclSh estimated, WAS considerably more
'hah Slo",ooO. y more exhaustive eX-
animation than he had been able to
make. lie thought, would in Halifax
alone show equally as large an amount
OF other funds not listed by the ex-
aminer for taxation
EASLEY DECLINES TO
Make ANY STATEMENT
Mr.. Easley declined last night to
make any public answer to these
charges. His case. he said was before
the Tax Board. and he did not feel
that ii was incumbent upon him to
defend himself 1T this time, cXccpt be-
fore that body.
Although the hearing consumed sew
eral hours. it was stated on behalf Of
the board. after the meeting. that no
decision had been reached Executive
Assistant CHRISTOPHER Is. Garnctt de-
ciined to make any comment whatever
on the proceedings OF the meeting, and
state Auditor Moore, secretary of the
board. said that there was no statement
to make at this time. With Mr.. Moore
were present the other two members
of the board-tiovcrnor Stuart and
Judge Prentis. OF the State CORPORATION
Commission.
The Sixth Judicial Circuit the eX-
aminership of which is being sharply
contested, is composed of the Counties
of Halifax. Mecklcnburg, L,incnburE
and Campbell, and the city OF Lynch
burg. Both Mr.. Easlcy and Mr. Wat
kins are from Halifax County, and have
promincn. family and business con-
nections in the circuit
MONSTER PETITION
FILED ny WATKINS
On behalf of Mr.. Watkins there has
been filed with the Tax Board mon
ster petition signed by more than 1000
citizens. The signcrs include State
Senator'S Walter Il. Addison. OF Lynch
burg; George T. Allen, of Lunenburg;
William III. Jeffreys. Jr.. of Mccklcn-
burg, and James T. Lacy, OF Halifax
the entire senatorial representation OF
the Sixth Judicial Circuit; and the fol-
lowing Sixth Circuit members OF the
House of Delegates: S. T. a. Kent, OF
Halifax; w. Il. Hudgins. OF Mecklen-
berg: 5. II. Love. of Lunenburg. and
r. ~. Russell. of Campbell.
The only other members OF the House
CONTINUED on second pago)
EycIRSJON rrn THE MoISr,INs