James G. Smyth
Encyclopedia
James George Smyth was a California political figure in the early 20th century. He was active in Democratic politics, served a term in the 1930s as the Chief Clerk of the California Assembly, and later served as an IRS official in the administrations of Franklin D. Roosevelt
and Harry S. Truman
. In 1951, he was indicted on federal tax fraud charges and later acquitted.
James G. Smyth received his Bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco
(USF) in 1927. He served as a faculty member in the USF English Department from 1927 to 1929. From 1929-1933, he was USF's graduate manager. Smyth was also employed in the advertising and public relations industries, and as an official of the Home Owners Loan Corporation.
Active in Democratic politics in San Francisco, James G. Smyth was the general manager of the Democratic State Central Committee offices and activities in northern California in the 1930s. Smyth was also an official on the Roosevelt-Garner
presidential campaign in 1936. In 1937, Smyth was chosen to replace fellow San Franciscan Arthur Ohnimus
as Chief Clerk of the California Assembly, when the Republican Ohnimus chose not to seek reelection. The Chief Clerk is a nonpartisan officer of the legislature. (Four years later, in 1941, Democrats would bring Ohnimus back, under the leadership of Democratic Assembly Speaker Gordon Hickman Garland
).
Thus, Smyth ended up serving as Chief Clerk
for two years (1937 and 1938), under Democratic Speakers William Moseley Jones
and Paul Peek
. Smyth was succeeded on January 2, 1939 by Jack Carl Greenburg
, who served two years as Chief Clerk before Ohnimus returned to his role as clerk of the house on January 6, 1941.
Smyth was also director of exhibits and special events of the California Commission for the Golden Gate International Exposition
(also known as the 1939 World's Fair
at Treasure Island
).
After leaving the legislature, Smyth served as Alternate for the Democratic National Convention
from California in 1940 and 1944. He was appointed by President Roosevelt as IRS Collector of Revenue for Northern California in 1945. Smyth was a member of the famous San Francisco political machine run by Democratic party boss William M. Malone
.
.]].
In June 1959, Smyth was appointed State Inheritance Tax Appraiser by State Controller Alan Cranston
.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
and Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
. In 1951, he was indicted on federal tax fraud charges and later acquitted.
James G. Smyth received his Bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco
University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco , is a private, Jesuit/Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF was established as the first university in San Francisco. It is the second oldest institution for higher learning in California and the tenth-oldest university of...
(USF) in 1927. He served as a faculty member in the USF English Department from 1927 to 1929. From 1929-1933, he was USF's graduate manager. Smyth was also employed in the advertising and public relations industries, and as an official of the Home Owners Loan Corporation.
Active in Democratic politics in San Francisco, James G. Smyth was the general manager of the Democratic State Central Committee offices and activities in northern California in the 1930s. Smyth was also an official on the Roosevelt-Garner
John Nance Garner
John Nance Garner, IV , was the 32nd Vice President of the United States and the 44th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives .- Early life and family :...
presidential campaign in 1936. In 1937, Smyth was chosen to replace fellow San Franciscan Arthur Ohnimus
Arthur Ohnimus
Arthur Allen Ohnimus was the longest serving Assembly Chief Clerk in California history . He was also the first Chief Administrative Officer of the Assembly Rules Committee . Ohnimus served under 8 Republican and 4 Democratic Speakers of the Assembly during his 37 cumulative years as Chief Clerk...
as Chief Clerk of the California Assembly, when the Republican Ohnimus chose not to seek reelection. The Chief Clerk is a nonpartisan officer of the legislature. (Four years later, in 1941, Democrats would bring Ohnimus back, under the leadership of Democratic Assembly Speaker Gordon Hickman Garland
Gordon Hickman Garland
Gordon Garland was a conservative Democratic California state legislator and the 48th Speaker of the California State Assembly. Garland also served as Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles in the 1940s and was also Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol...
).
Thus, Smyth ended up serving as Chief Clerk
Chief Clerk
The Chief Clerk, between 1789 and 1853, was the second-ranking official within the United States Department of State, known as the Department of Foreign Affairs before September 5, 1789. Section 2 of the Act of Congress of July 27, 1789 The Chief Clerk, between 1789 and 1853, was the second-ranking...
for two years (1937 and 1938), under Democratic Speakers William Moseley Jones
William Moseley Jones
William Moseley Jones was a Democratic attorney from Montebello, California who served several terms in the California State Assembly, including one term as Speaker.- Biography :...
and Paul Peek
Paul Peek (politician)
Paul Peek was an American attorney, Democratic politician and jurist. Peek practiced law in southern California prior to his election in 1936 to the California Assembly, where he served as Speaker during the 1939 session. He was appointed Secretary of State in 1940 and then to the Court of Appeal,...
. Smyth was succeeded on January 2, 1939 by Jack Carl Greenburg
Jack Carl Greenburg
Jack Carl Greenburg was a Los Angeles attorney who served as Chief Clerk of the California Assembly from 1939 to 1941....
, who served two years as Chief Clerk before Ohnimus returned to his role as clerk of the house on January 6, 1941.
Smyth was also director of exhibits and special events of the California Commission for the Golden Gate International Exposition
Golden Gate International Exposition
The Golden Gate International Exposition , held at San Francisco, California's Treasure Island, was a World's Fair that celebrated, among other things, the city's two newly-built bridges. The San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge was dedicated in 1936 and the Golden Gate Bridge was dedicated in 1937...
(also known as the 1939 World's Fair
World's Fair
World's fair, World fair, Universal Exposition, and World Expo are various large public exhibitions held in different parts of the world. The first Expo was held in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom, in 1851, under the title "Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All...
at Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
).
After leaving the legislature, Smyth served as Alternate for the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
from California in 1940 and 1944. He was appointed by President Roosevelt as IRS Collector of Revenue for Northern California in 1945. Smyth was a member of the famous San Francisco political machine run by Democratic party boss William M. Malone
William M. Malone
William M. Malone chaired the California Democratic Party during and after World War II. He was the most powerful Democratic Party leader of San Francisco during the later Roosevelt and Truman Administrations....
.
Acquitted in 1951 IRS Scandal
On September 27, 1951, President Truman suspended nine IRS officials in California, including Smyth, as part of a federal investigation into embezzlement and tax fraud within the IRS. U.S. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, John B. Dunlap, was investigating irregularities in IRS offices in San Francisco, Boston, New York, and St. Louis. The investigations ultimately led to 57 firings within the IRS. On December 11, 1951, a federal grand jury indicted Smyth and his aides for tax fraud. Smyth was acquitted in 1952. This national scandal weakened the Malone political machine in San Francisco and made way for the rise of a more liberal party operation run by Malone's rival, the politically savvy Phillip BurtonPhillip Burton
Phillip Burton was a United States Representative from California. A Democrat, he was instrumental in creating the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Burton was one of the first members of Congress to acknowledge the need for AIDS research and introduce an AIDS bill. He was the brother of...
.]].
In June 1959, Smyth was appointed State Inheritance Tax Appraiser by State Controller Alan Cranston
Alan Cranston
Alan MacGregor Cranston was an American journalist and Democratic Senator from California.-Education:Cranston earned his high school diploma from the old Mountain View High School, where among other things, he was a track star...
.
Sources
- A Rage for Justice, John Jacobs, 1997.
- California Blue Book, 1938, California Office of State Printing.
- LA Times, May 4, 1951 (p. 10); Sept. 28, 1951 (p. 1); June 11, 1952 (p. 27), June 11, 1959 (p. 26)
- Time Magazine, October 13, 1952; July 12, 1954.
- California's Legislature (2006 edition), California State AssemblyCalifornia State AssemblyThe California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, p. 246, p. 265. - San Francisco Chronicle, January 3, 1937.
- San Francisco Call, January 4, 1937.
- Sacramento Bee, January 6, 1937.