Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1918-04-30
Most Important Office Next To President

| &. Our nelSnDOf, OnlO, Chains IHe
honor of having in one of her sons the
incumbent of the greatest Office in the
executive branch of the Government,
next to the office of President-the
office of Comptroller of the Treasury.
1t is an all powerful office and never
has it been so ably or worthy filled as
it is now by son of Ohio, Walter w.
| Warwick, of Cincinnati.
| In the Merchant of Venice" the
Prince of Arragon, pleading his own
cause with Portia, the most exquisite
of all judges, eXclaims:
80, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not derived corruptly and that
clear honor
Were purchased by the merit of the
wearer."
The great honor that has come to
this son of Ohio was purchased by
the merit Of the water"
In these war days of stress and
strain, when the Government is spend
ing, not millions but billions of dol
lars, not penny of which can be dis
| bursed without the scrutiny and ap-
prevail of the Comptroller of the
Treasury, no ordinary man could cope
with the vast, complex and arduous
duties of the Office. He would be over
whelmed. From every branch of the
civil, military and naval establish
ments of the Government there come
to the Comptroller thousands of CUES
lions for decision. He is the supreme
law power of the executive branch of
the Government in all matters relat-
ing to accounts accounts and claims
and the disbursement of public money.
1t is now one hundred and twenty
eight years since the Office was Gre
ated. In all that time Judge Warwick
is the first and the only appointee who
came to the great Office fully and en-
tirely equipped with knowledge of all
its duties and familiar with its every
detail. He had been chief law clerk
of the Office and Assistant Comptrol-
Ter: He had also been Auditor of
Panama, cooperating with General
Goethals, and Judge of the Canal
Zone. AS member of President
Taft's Economy Commission he had
investigated, familiarized himself with
and reported upon the methods of
business in the executive departments.
Thus was he equipped for the exact
ing and ever-increasing work of the
Comptroller's office. He is a master
of the law, knows the statutes from
the foundation of the Government as
he knows the letters of the alphabet;
has a remarkable memory; is a prodi-
gious worker, and very miracle of
industry. He directs and decides with
out fuss, fury or the least sign of os-
tentation. The moment you enter his
room you realize that you are in the
presence of a gentleman. He is a man
of striking and charming personality
lie is pleasure to do business with
him. He is gentle, kind, considerate,
and a patient listener. One marvels
at his readiness in resolving the mys-
teries of contracts and untangling the
complications of accounts. In addi-
ton to being great lawyer, he is an
expert accountant. His mind is so
acute and his judgment so discerning
that his decision is made before you
finish your statement, bue he listens
and when you have concluded he gives
you his decision with remarkable
clearness. He has what so many hold
ing high Office sadly lack, the judicial
temperament. His record does hinor
to the State of Ohio and to his great
Office, and is a credit to the public
service.