AFFLICTING THE COMFORTABLE: JOURNALISM AND POLITICS IN WEST VIRGINIA

17. A Promise Curtailed

Chapter 17 A PROMISE CURTAILED "I HAVE PLEDGED that I would give this state an 'Administration of Excellence '-an administration which will demand the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and honesty from dedicated and qualified public servants, and never tolerate incompetence or mediocrity." This pledge by Governor Hulett C. Smith in his inaugural address on cold, blustery January 18, 1965, had been the source of a disagreement in the governor's office only two days before. The office was warm. The atmosphere was chilly. Barron had vacated the office and Governor-elect Smith had just moved in. During this short transitional period, Smith asked me to perform one last task before he took office, another of those efforts to help prevent future embarrassment to his administration. "Read this inaugural message," he asked, "and let me know what you think of it." I took the copy of the speech home that evening and was concerned when I found how far out on a limb he had gone with his promises. An "Administration of Excellence"? Too much had already happened for the governor-elect to be able to make good on that particular promise. Two weeks earlier I had invited him to join me for lunch at Clement's restaurant , upriver from the Capitol. Our conversation covered a broad range of topics, but chiefly I wanted to talk to him about some of his planned appointments to major positions. Already I knew that the liquor commissioner, politically controversial Elmore, was slated to remain as a holdover from the Barron administration. Smith also planned to keep Barron's commissioner of finance and administra- A PROMISE CURTAILED tion, Truman Gore, whom I had just exposed as a member of the Invest Right group. But I knew that offering cautionary advice about these officeholders would be an exercise in futility. So I concentrated instead on one person, trying to warn Smith about potential problems down the road. "Hulett," I said, "Curtis Trent has to go. He may be as good in his job as Governor Barron says he is, but Trent has been the central figure in so much controversy that you can't keep him if you want to maintain your image." Smith's reaction was not favorable. A newspaperman was trying to advise the new governor on his plans to shape his administration. I got the distinct impression that myoId friend felt I had gone too far, that I had invaded territory reserved for a privileged few, advisors like State Democratic Chairman James M. Sprouse, Democratic National Committeeman Robert P. McDonough, Robert D. Bailey of Pineville (later to be named secretary ofstate), former Tax Commissioner Milton J. Ferguson, and Liquor Commissioner Elmore, who had served as Smith's chief advisor during the recent campaign. So I tried another tack. "I'm not here to deliver a message from the Gazette editorial board," I said. "This is personal, between old friends. I'm simply trying to make you aware of a fact of life in this town. The Gazette, as you well know, is a very powerful newspaper, and I certainly wouldn't want to be in your shoes six months from now if you keep Trent in your administration." I concurred with the new governor's opinion that Trent had done some good work for Smith during his gubernatorial campaign. He had been a good soldier in the trenches. "But with Trent anywhere around you," I told him, "your administration will be off to a bad start the day you take office." A few mornings later, Hulett called me at home with what he believed was a solution to the problem. "What do you think of this?" he asked. "I'll take care of Curt by hiding him, sort of, in the administration." "You can't hide a person with the kind of profile Trent has," I replied. "You have no choice. He has to go." Next came Smith's request that I review his inaugural speech, and when I returned it to his office with the strong suggestion that he start over again on a new speech, he asked, somewhat piqued in tone, "What's wrong with it?" CHAPTER SEVENTEEN 'Try as you will, Hulett," I told him, "you can't have an administration of excellence. With all the problems you have facing you as our next governor, you can't perform excellently. If you want the idea of excellence...