Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-05
state AUDITOR W.T.. SMYTH
.REAPP0|NTED BY GOVERNOR
Executive Still Maintains That FIX
. pert Should Have Office,
80 However.
POWER is ONLY MINISTERIAL
Acknowledgement Informs Mr.. Davis
* He Must Act Only Upon Recon-
mendation OF Auditing Com
mittcC.

w. +. Smyth was yesterday reap
pointed State accountant b. Governor
Davis. "as directed by the auditing
S SIommittce.' the Governor emphasizes
IN his order TO secretary OF the COM
monwealth Is. .. James directing that
aNcommission be issued.
although in this the Governor bows
TO the will of the auditing committee
appointed by the State Legislature, he
does not recede from his original con
tention that some person better schoolcd
Imam is Mr.. SmSth in modern account
.ms should be appointed 10 the office.
In ma kinS the appointment; he surrcn-
gers to the decision OF Atlorncy-Gen
5efal Saunders, who holds tina, his au-
ithority in the matter Is purely minis
.tcrial and secondary TO that of the
committee According 10 this decision
ne has no alternative but to appoint
the nominee OF the committee.
N&The appointment closes most in
ieresting chapter in the fight the Gov
erhor is making for modcrnization OF
the States budEc,ins and accounting
system. The new budGetins program,
as, ADOPTED by the recent Legislature,
services OF certified expert account
ant He wanted such Il man FOR the
once OF State accountant in order, he
says, that the Commonwealth might
be. saved the expense OF an additional
salary. When the auditing committee
sre ec< mended The appointment OF MIR:
70 the committee his views. stating
that II Mr.. Smyth would pass the ex-
animation required of accountants be-
fore they are certified as experts. he
would gladly reappoint him.
COMPELLED TO ABIDE BY
DECISION OF COMMrT-TEE
In the time he had learned from
the AttorncySeneral that his author
to the committee he explained that his
mower was perfunctory and that he
would have to abide by any decision ii
would make in the matter lie stated
Of ~ nd
valuable service Mr.. Smyth had rem
dered the State and that his stand
sure the State. competent and economi-
cal conduct OF +he office so closely re-
lated to the new system.
comprising p. n. Drewry. chairman:
E. c. Buck. secretary; James H. Price
James F. Cannon and Q. c. Davis met
mendation. After short elaboration the
committee forwarded the following re-
CONNIE ndation to the Governor:
The State Auditing Committee pur-
suant TO notice. met to-day, every mem
Der OF the committee being present,
10 consider your letter OF August 2z,
1918. In reference 10 the appointment
of a State Accountant
The committee, after careful con-
sheraton OF your communication. and
after reference TO the statute creating
the office, directed me TO report to YOU
That w. F. Smyth, by reason Of his
qualifications and experience in the
opinion OF the committee. is in every
way suitable and competent 10 dis
charge the duties OF the Office. and
therefore. they again recommend his
appointment as State Accountant"
GOVERNOR FEARED MIR. SMYTI
NOT QUALIFIED FOR OFFICE
cation to the committee. pointing on,
his reasons for opposing the rcappoint-
ment. was as follows:
II have given the matter of the an
inf nj
much thought am fearful that the
nominee OF the state Auditing Commit
ice, MIR. w. +. Sniyth, is not competent
TO aid effectively in the preparation Of
the executive budget provided for ny
me last General Assembly. nor 10 do
other special auditing work that in an
Increasing extent will be incident TO-
= the inauguration or, and the operation
In great and growing State like Vir-
and that II Mr.. Smyth be appointed 70
the office Nf State Accountant. the
state will be put 10 the expense Of Sc
curing upon occasion. skilled service
that he VIII not be able TO render
desire the appointment OF a certi-
hed public accountant. man OF mature
judgment and varied experience. to the
imPortant position OF state Accountant.
II Mr.. SmYth viii take and pass the
sxaminatfas WHICH arc held under
STATE sa. autA3r, ~ ~ The Virginia State
himself as q certified public accountant.
shall be treasured and be more than
Siad, on account OF his previous tenure
or cfhoS. 10 appOin; him
OBJECTION MAS PROFESSIONAL
GOVERNOR DAVIS POINTS OUT
my obJecuon 70 Mr.. Smyth is pro
fessional and not PERSONAL nor have
anyone 20 suggest FOR the position
unless II is desired by Your COMMITTEES
;hat ] shall do So. Nv only thoucb.
is one OF economy and cnicicncv IN
state service and nope in this for
me cooperation Of YOUR committee. Ii
inns princlp!c' however, does not APP
resolute in purpose TO approvc Mr.
SmNtn as well as 70 save him the tcsf
OF inc examination, shall II ii sill