The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-29
MORE EXPLANATIONS
ABOUT TREASURERS
Senator'S set Right Miss pprehensions
Growing Out Of Report of Com
mission on Economy and
Efficiency

Senator. Drewry chairman OF, the
mission on efficiency and economy,
made statement in the senate In
connection with the report of that
body. which has been printed and
placed I'm the hands OF the members.
Senator Drewry said that perhaps
some of the criticism which had been
aimed at the report was the fault OF
the commission. In framing the pa
per there had been recourse to docu-
ments which were on hle with the
Nom bers and which were n part Of
the records. The report stated that
an audit had been made Of the books
and accounts OF several officers. that
ther had been shortages discovered.
The report did not state, due to an
oversight, that the audits referred TO
had been made during the year lSl4
and 1918, and could not refer 10 the
treasurers OF the counties and cities
who had taken Office since that time.
The subject WAC thus referred to In
order to chow The loose system IN
keeping the accounts and Was more
ut lax business methods than intent
10 do wrong. He regretted that GER
lain gentlemen had become indignant,
whom no wrong was intended.
Senator Downing, OF Warren. said
that the explanation WAS accepted and
was satisfactory. Hts own treasurer
had been mentioned, by inference, the
county being designated, and he as
sure5 the senate that not only was
the present treasurer clear on the
books but that his predecessor did
- L. y 10
state a cent. The report had gained
currency and the injury had been
done. but the explanation wns crafty
ing and wss satisfactory. These same
sentiments were voiced by Senator
Thornton, whose county WAS also
mentioned in the report hs being shy
in It's accounts.
Several treasurerS have been sub
jected TO criticism. when the report
intended to Zeal with the office prior
to the time for the terms of the off,
GERS at this time to commence. II
WIS the system. not the men. that was
condem ed. and this was mplicated
BY the unfortunate omission Of the
years for which the sudlts OF the
books al been made,
Lieutenant Governor Ellyson has
hsen III at his home fer several dsys,
Senator walker, president pro tenn
fore, prer'diag in his absence. II Is
E3t known 'Nrt Row III Mr. ENysyu
IT, but ne hes been away from the
senate several days this session, MI
ElIysoH win retire from public ne
next Thur~dav a thing which all his
friends and every member Of the sen
ate regrets II ts known that he is
taking every precaution ard hopes to
be able to resume his duties Tuesday
and to serve 10 the end OF hls term
ss lieutenant governor.
There are 1--WE candidates for the
1Ldgeshlp of Hopeweil position to
DE ffilsd b. the Joint caucus Of the
general assembly Wednesday night.
That is the talk among the members
OF tho general assembly at this time.
The candidates are said 10 be Judge
Walter l. Devaney. who holds the
place at this time; Kenneth McCrot~
ter. Thomas b. Robertson, j. Q. Hef
lin and Guy r. Horner. The entry
OF Mr., Horner into tho contest was
surprise to him and was due TO the
iusistence OF friends that he make
the contest. Mr.. Horner is former
member OF the house. hsa for more
than a year been member Of the
star of the prohibition commissioner
and ts lawyer OF considerable force
The senate committee for courts OF
Justice made recommendation 10 the
effect that the Office should ne va
Gated, as provided In the act OF the
legislature. January al. whereas Judge
pevsney and his friends argued that
Il was new court, and that the con-
stltution provided that all Judges
should hold once FOR eight years from
the day on which they entered on the
discharge Of their duties
II is no secret that Judge Devnney
has failed TO satisfy all the people
OF the mushroom city. and they made
an attack on him. When that began
the candidates for the Iudgeship he
gan TO appear
The announcement was made that
he caucus would be held Tuesday
night. but this was later changed to
meet Wednesday night The election
VIII take place Thursday and the
commission viii be issued the same
Cay, This gives the candidates two
days In which to see the members
and present their claims,
Only a few local measures were
passed in the senate today, and the
hills introduced had nothing more
Than local significance. Several bills
were advanced on the calendar
Senate Bills Passed.
To validate certificates OF scknowl~
edgrusnt TO deeds and other writings
recorded In Virginia. taken before
certain officials IN foreign countries
To enlarge ths powers Of married
women in respect OF dover rights.
To amend the charter OF the city OF
Portsmouth, approved March 10. 1908,
By adding thereto "A new section to
be known as section si-a prescribing
rules and regulations for the bringing
Of actions against the city of Ports
mouth for damages for injuries to
persons or property alleged to have
been sustained by reason OF neEll-
gence.
To validate, ratify. approve aud con-
firm certain bonds hereafter to be is
sued, and the election neid on De-
cember IL. 1919, authorizing the issu-
arce OF such bonds by Alexandria
county for Washington magisterial
district for the purpose OF naacadamiz-
ing and otherwise permanently TN
proving public roads and bridges in
said magisterial district.