James M. Smith (auditor)

James M. "J.M." Smith ( – December 27, 1967) was an American civil servant who served as the first South Carolina State Auditor for 32 years, spanning the terms of 13 governors. He later served briefly as the acting South Carolina Treasurer for six months. Charles E. Lee, former director of archives of the South Carolina Historical Society referred to Smith as the "most powerful man in South Carolina."

Early life and family

James M. Smith was born in 1891. Smith and his family lived in Pickens County, South Carolina.

Career

Smith's early career was in private business rather than government. His first job was as part owner of a drug store in Easley, South Carolina. He later purchased an automobile dealership in Easley, and also worked in a cotton mill office and in his father's bank.

Smith entered state government work on a part-time basis in 1927, serving as an advisor to the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee. He became a full-time state employee in 1929.

State Auditor

Smith was first appointed to the post of South Carolina State Auditor in 1933, after the position was established by the South Carolina General Assembly. In addition to his role as auditor, he was the ex-officio chair of the state's Budget Commission, was an advisor to the South Carolina Senate finance committee, an advisor to the South Carolina House of Representatives Ways and Means committee, directed the finance division of the state's Budget and Control Board, and served as its board secretary.

After his retirement at the age of 73 in 1965, he was succeeded by his nephew and staff assistant, Patrick C. Smith. Upon his retirement, governor Robert Evander McNair remarked that Smith had "been more valuable than any other man on budgetary matters."

State Treasurer

After the death of incumbent treasurer Jefferson Bates in August 1966, Smith was appointed by Governor McNair to serve in the office in an acting capacity until the next election. He was succeeded by Grady Patterson.

Democratic politics

Smith was heavily involved in the South Carolina Democratic Party, serving as the party's secretary-treasurer from 1936 to 1965. He was described by the Associated Press as "a power behind the South Carolina political scene."

Death

Smith died on December 27, 1967 at the age of 76.